13 Ways to Make a DIY Toner to Fit Your Skin Care Needs

You can craft your own toner to include in your skin-care lineup or purchase one ready-made. But once you have a toner, what’s the correct way to use it?

Unlike some products, such as moisturizers, the role of toner isn’t always obvious.

Toner is typically a watery liquid that may be clear or slightly tinted. Applied immediately after cleansing, toner helps to:

• ● dissolve leftover cleanser residue
• ● rebalance your skin’s potential hydrogen (pH), which can shift during the day
• ● minimize the appearance of pores

Use toner right after you wash your face. It helps remove any remnants left from cleansing, leaving your skin extra clean so subsequent products penetrate better.

There’s no need to rinse toner off — it functions best when allowed to absorb into the skin.

Below, we’ll explain how to make simple DIY toners at home and highlight some store-bought options you might want to try.

DIY toners by ingredient

If a particular ingredient suits your skin well, you can feature it in a homemade toner. Here’s a rundown of DIY toner ideas sorted by ingredient.

Note that homemade toners lack preservatives, so keep them refrigerated and discard them after 2–3 days.

If you’re trying an ingredient for the first time, always perform a patch test and wait at least 30 minutes to check for any reaction before using it on your face.

1. Witch hazel

Witch hazel is an astringent that can soothe:

• irritation
• inflammation
• acne

You can spritz pure witch hazel on your face or dab it on with a cotton pad. It’s calming to skin and may help shrink the look of pores.

Try this DIY blend:

• 4 tbsp witch hazel — choose alcohol-free to avoid drying
• 2 tbsp aloe vera
• a few drops of your preferred essential oil

Mix well, then pour into a spray bottle or apply with clean hands or a cotton pad.

2. Aloe vera

Aloe vera brightens and can help combat acne. It’s also hydrating, making it an excellent choice for dry skin.

Here’s a gentle toner that’s suitable for sensitive skin — hydrating and rich in antioxidants to help soothe redness:

• 1/2 cup rose water
• 1/2 cup aloe vera

Combine thoroughly, then apply to clean, dry skin.

3. Essential oils

Essential oils add fragrance to homemade toners and may offer skin benefits.

Tea tree oil is commonly used for acne but can be potent and may sting irritated areas. Other options include:

• lavender
• chamomile
• clary sage
• geranium
• sandalwood
• rose
• jasmine

Example DIY toner:

• 1 tbsp witch hazel
• 1/2 tsp vitamin E oil, which may help with acne scars
• 3 drops lavender essential oil

While studies indicate possible benefits, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate essential oil purity or quality. Consult a healthcare provider before using essential oils, research brands carefully, perform a patch test, and always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil to avoid skin irritation.

4. Rosewater toner

Rose water can naturally help balance skin pH, which may be disrupted by alkaline cleansers or acidic exfoliants. It’s mild, hydrating, and pleasant smelling.

Try this simple rosewater toner:

• 1 tbsp rose water
• 1 tbsp alcohol-free witch hazel

Combine and mist over your face.

5. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can act as a natural exfoliant, helping skin look brighter and more even.

Here’s a calming DIY toner featuring chamomile. Chamomile combats bacteria without altering pH, and honey adds moisture:

• 1 cup water
• 1 chamomile tea bag
• 1 tsp honey
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

6. Green tea

Green tea is high in antioxidants that neutralize free radicals. It’s also anti-inflammatory, which can help reduce redness.

Ensure the tea is fully cooled before use:

• 1/3 cup green tea
• 3–4 drops tea tree essential oil

Shake together before misting onto your face.

7. Cucumber witch hazel toner

Cucumber water cools, hydrates, and soothes red or overheated skin.

Try this straightforward toner:

• 1 tbsp cucumber water
• 1 tbsp alcohol-free witch hazel

Mix and spritz over your face.

DIY toners for skin concerns

You might want a DIY toner focused on a particular concern, such as:

• aging
• dryness
• hyperpigmentation

Here are suggestions tailored to specific skin needs.

8. Aging skin

For anti-aging (or pro-aging) benefits, choose a moisturizing toner rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants combat free radicals, reducing damage from pollution and sun exposure.

Try an antioxidant-packed green tea and pomegranate toner — pomegranate may stimulate collagen:

• 1/4 cup green tea
• 1/8 cup pure pomegranate juice
• 1/8 cup filtered water

Let the tea cool before combining in a spray bottle. Keep refrigerated.

» MORE: 10 Best Toners for Every Skin Care Need

9. Dry skin

Dryness can be caused by many factors, including low humidity. For dry skin, include hydrating components in your DIY toner.

Cucumber is mostly water and very moisturizing. Pair it with aloe vera for extra hydration.

Try this mix:

• 1 grated or blended cucumber
• 3–4 tbsp fresh aloe gel

Blend until watery. You may need to add a few teaspoons of distilled water or process in a blender to reach the right consistency.

10. Natural glow

If your skin is generally healthy but you want a brightening lift, try a gentle glow-boosting toner.

Rice water is a popular ingredient because it contains nutrients and antioxidants that skin can absorb.

Make rice water by soaking rice — jasmine rice works well — in cool water for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight:

• 1/4 cup water
• 3 tbsp jasmine rice

Soak for 2 hours, then strain. Bottle the liquid and use it as a refreshing facial mist.

11. Acne scars

Acne scarring can be persistent, but the right toner may improve skin appearance over time.

Apple cider vinegar is an astringent that can reduce bacteria and help balance skin pH. Dilute more for sensitive skin:

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp distilled water

12. Large pores

If your skin is oily, pores may appear enlarged. A witch hazel–based toner can help tighten and cleanse pores since witch hazel is a potent astringent:

• 2 tbsp witch hazel
• 3 drops aloe vera

13. Combination skin

Combination skin is oily in some areas and dry in others, which can make product selection tricky.

Cranberry offers anti-aging support. Mixed with rose water and witch hazel, it creates a calming toner that won’t add grease or overdry skin.

• 2 tbsp cranberry juice
• 2 tbsp rose water
• 1/2 cup witch hazel

14. Hyperpigmentation

Dark spots from acne or sun exposure can be hard to remove fully, but some ingredients may help fade them.

Lemon juice contains AHAs and vitamin C that encourage cell turnover and can lighten spots. Coconut water is gentle and hydrating:

• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 3 tbsp coconut water

Mix and transfer to a spray bottle, then mist your face.

Use caution with lemon on skin. Excessive use of citrus can cause photosensitivity and potentially darken skin. Avoid sun exposure and always apply sunscreen after using lemon topically, particularly on the face.

Does DIY work?

Store-bought toners aren’t inherently superior to DIY versions — it depends on what you want from a product.

DIY gives you full control over ingredients and lets you keep formulations entirely natural.

Retail toners often contain preservatives, which can be beneficial depending on the preservative; they also last longer.

Whether any toner will produce meaningful changes for specific skin concerns varies. Consult a dermatologist for persistent or serious issues.

Frequently asked questions

Got more questions? Here are answers to common queries.

What is a natural face toner?

A natural face toner avoids alcohol, synthetic compounds, and preservatives. Instead it uses recognizable ingredients like cucumber, rose water, or witch hazel.

What skin type needs toner?

All skin types can benefit from toner. It’s especially useful for people who wear makeup or heavy daytime products such as sunscreen, because it helps remove residue.

Acne-prone and oily skin can use toner to manage excess sebum, and dry skin can benefit from hydrating toners containing aloe vera or rose water.

What ingredients should I avoid in a toner?

Avoid potentially irritating components like:

• alcohols such as ethanol or methanol
• menthol
• fragrance
• citrus extracts
• cinnamon

Astringents like witch hazel may also irritate dry or sensitive skin.

Is rice water a toner?

Rice water has been used for centuries as a skin toner, similar to rose water.

Rice contains vitamins and minerals that may benefit skin; however, more research is needed. Rice water might also help form a barrier to reduce water loss.

In a 2018 study, 12 participants used a rice water–based topical gel for 28 days and rice water showed potential as an anti-aging ingredient compatible with human skin, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in vitro.

A small 2020 study suggested that amazake, a rice-based traditional drink, might reduce sebum and under-eye darkness when consumed.

Further research is required to confirm topical rice water benefits.

Other products to consider

If you prefer a store-bought toner, there are many effective options across price ranges. Consider trying:

• Fresh Rose & Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Toner — ideal for dry skin.
• Botanics All Bright Cleansing Toner — for added brightness.
• Origins Zero Oil Pore Purifying Toner with Saw Palmetto and Mint — suited to acne-prone skin.
• Pixi by Petra Glow Tonic — suitable for most skin types.
• Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Essence — helpful for hyperpigmentation.

When to contact a doctor

Sometimes it’s best to consult a dermatologist about your skin. If acne is painful or worsening, contact a medical professional.

See a dermatologist if you experience:

• bleeding
• pus
• significant pain
• a burning sensation

The bottom line

Toner is the step immediately after cleansing. It’s a liquid you can apply with your hands, a cotton pad, or a spray bottle.

Toner helps clear leftover grime or makeup after cleansing and can rebalance skin pH, which may be altered by cleansers.

There are many simple DIY toners you can prepare at home — just refrigerate them and discard after 2–3 days since homemade formulas lack preservatives.