Would you have ever guessed that the secret to clear, glowing skin could be found in fermented apples. But lo and behold, an apple a day keeps acne at bay. I admit, it may not have thee most pleasant fragrance BUT it works! Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is an affordable and natural solution for your skin. This toner/ astringent recipe just requires water, apple cider vinegar and essential oils. I particularly like to add lavender essential oil, to mask the scent of the ACV. Raw & organic ACV is expensive (buy here), so if you’d like to make your own, here’s my homemade recipe.
Toner for Clear Complexion
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (188ml) Distilled Water
- 1/4 cup (62ml) Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) Fragrance-free Liquid Soap
- 20 drops (1ml) Lavender essential oil
- 5 drops Tea Tree essential oil
- 5 drops Peppermint essential oil
Instructions
- Makes 250ml.
- Combine the essential oils with the fragrance-free liquid soap. Stir until combined.
- Add the apple cider vinegar.
- Then add this mixture to the distilled water, and shake well.
- Transfer into a sterilised bottle.
- Use the mixture on a cotton pad and wipe face to remove makeup, cleanse pores and tone the skin. Shake well before use. Store out of direct sunlight for up to 2 months.
Notes
1.) The mixture separates into layers, so give it a good shake before using. You want the essential oils and ACV to be well-mixed when you apply to skin.
2.) Raw, organic & unprocessed ACV is obviously the best. It is cloudy, not clear and has a thicker, cloudy substance floating at the bottom. However, if you cannot afford to buy organic, it’s easy to make ACV at home. Find the link in this blog post.
3.) If you don’t enjoy the cooling sensation of the peppermint, just leave it out and add more lavender.
4.) Do not apply undiluted ACV to your skin.
COST & SHELF LIFE
Cost Price: R8 per 250ml
Lasted me about: 1 month (using every day)
Estimated shelf life: 2 months (stored in an airtight container away from direct sunlight).
*Costs accurate at time of writing this blog post. Costs based on the best retail prices I’ve found.
CHALLENGE
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) stinks like smelly socks, point blank. It’s difficult to get used to, even if the smell does eventually evaporate away. The peppermint in this recipe helps to mask the smell.
CHERRY ON TOP
- The benefits of ACV for clearer, more toned skin is worth the smell (for me, anyway). If it’s too much for you, you may want to try using witch hazel instead of the ACV solution, but it’s not the same.
- This toner is also an effective makeup remover.
INGREDIENT BENEFITS
- Apple cider vinegar (ACV): Contains natural alpha hydroxy acids that help remove dead skin cells and reveal a fresher and healthier complexion. ACV is also antibacterial and anti-fungal which helps prevent acne. ACV balances the pH levels of your skin and controls sebum production, preventing it from becoming too oily or too dry. Raw, organic ACV is best (buy here). However, if you can’t afford to buy raw ACV, make your own at home. Here’s how.
- Fragrance-free liquid soap: acts as a solubilizer in this recipe to prevent the essential oils from separating from the water, and to ensure that the essential oils are adequately diluted to prevent skin irritation. (buy here)
- Tea tree essential oil: Helps diminish scars, and treats acne by preventing bacterial skin infections and acts as an anti-inflammatory (buy here).
- Lavender essential oil: Effectively treats acne by inhibiting the bacteria that causes infection, regulates the production of sebum, heals wounds and helps reduce the signs of scarring (buy here).
- Peppermint essential oil: Nourishes dull skin and improves the texture of oily or greasy skin. It also soothes skin by creating a cooling sensation, and improves complexion by increasing blood circulation (buy here).
Not sure where to find these, or other ingredients? My shopping guide may help you. Are you new to essential oils? Please read how to use them safely.
Recommended Retail Option
If DIY just isn’t your thing, or if you are pressed for time, then I personally recommend Back 2 Nature Apple Cider Vinegar and Tea Tree Toner. It is the closest retail product to this specific recipe.
How has apple cider vinegar improved your skin? Let me know in the comments below.
Hi! Can I use a glass spritzer bottle or will the oils just clog it up?
Hi Suzaan,
The oils will probably clog it up. But add a bit of alcohol to your essential oils before adding them in, and it should prevent your bottle from being clogged. You can use 2ml rubbing alcohol or 5ml vodka. Applying alcohol to your skin every day is not ideal, but this is so very little, and it’s super diluted – so it shouldn’t be a problem for regular use.