DIY facial toner for acne-prone skin

This diy facial toner with aloe vera and witch hazel can tone and repair the skin and is designed to fade away dark acne scars, prevent minor blemishes and lighten the skin.

Acne is a very common inflammatory skin condition that affects millions of people yearly. Hormonal disbalance (for example during puberty) stimulates sebaceous glands to produce more oil than usual. The higher oil production causes clogged pores and allowing bacteria to grow.

When and how acne scars occur?

I am sure it happened to you too if you wanted to take things into your hands and got impatient. The acne scars occur after the breakout when they don’t go away easily and you end up with red or brown spot with an uneven texture that lasts often weeks. 

Although it is not dangerous it can leave inevitable scars. While there are plenty of conventional products available, they are often very expensive and cause side effects like irritation, red or dry skin.

And here come the natural remedies that are much friendlier towards the skin and actually work, step by step, to help you learn how to look pretty.

The best way to speed up the healing process and fade the dark marks that pimples leave behind is to use ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties that help to speed up fading off dark acne scars and lighten up your skin. And that is where this toner for acne-prone skin comes in place.

(Speaking of acne, check out this facial acne mask with cinnamon and calendula that is specifically designed for acne.)

Ingredients – DIY natural facial toner

Aloe vera

Easy to take care of succulent, aloe vera is one of my favourite plants that I keep on my kitchen window.  I found its juice (gel) very useful and implement it often in my homemade skincare products, mainly toners and natural remedies. 

I have used its healing and calming properties in this burn gel that works like a charm and is very easy to make. 

Aloe vera works on its own so when you cut the leaf, immediately attach the transparent gel to the scars. If you don’t have access to the plant you can use aloe vera gel in tube. 

However, in this face toner recipe, we combined aloe vera with other efficient ingredients that can enhance your skin even further. 

Aloe vera boosts the immune system which response better and faster to any inflammation thus, in turn, may reduce the acne scars appearance (1)

Dark patches on the skin are caused by increased melanin synthesis. Aloe may help to diminish the higher pigmentation of and thus reduce dark spots on the skin.

Fibres such collagen and fibre are responsible for reparation of scars and marks. Aloe vera has the ability to increase their production and therefore contribute to the healing process. (2)

This nourishing aloe vera cream and aloe oil deeply moisturise your skin and leaves it smooth and healed.

Benefits of Witch hazel as a toner

Extracted from Hammamelis virginiana, Witch hazel contains tannins with strong antibacterial properties. These tannins also reduce inflammation and support healing processes. (3)

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is antioxidant with excellent healing properties that promote cell growth. Thus improves scars and wound healing as well as the appearance of skin.  

Chamomile essential oils

Clean and detox your skin thus may reduce acne, blemishes and hyperpigmentation.

Its calming and anti-inflammatory properties leave the skin smooth and free of any bacteria.

Why use a natural facial toner?

Toners are typically used to restore pH of the skin. The cleansing routine starts with cleansers high at pH that allow them to strip the skin of dirt. If we don’t use a toner afterwards to restore this ph, the skin stays at high ph which can cause several issues such as excessive dryness or in contrary excessive oiliness. That is where toners come in place to create a protective barrier that keeps bacteria at bay.

However, this homemade witch hazel toner with aloe vera is more than that. With its ability to tone and repair the skin it is an ideal formula to fade away dark acne scars, prevent minor blemishes and keep the skin smooth 

Facial toner for oily skin DIY

First step:

Before you start to work with aloe, be careful. The yellow latex that comes out of cut leaves stains the wooden board. So wash the leaf thoroughly to remove all the latex.

Second step:

Using a sharp knife remove the spine edges on both sides of the leaf.  Continue to remove the top and bottom layers of the leave and inside you will see the clear gel at the centre.

Third step

Place the clear gel into a blender and keep blending the gel until it is thick.

Fourth step:

Place the gel in a small bowl or jar and mix it with witch hazel

Fifth step

Add vitamin E and chamomile essential oil.

Sixth step:

Mix it well and pour the mixture into a spray bottle.

The oily part – Vitamin E and essential oil will separate from the water part. So make sure you shake it well before every use. Keep it in the fridge