Abi's Skin Brightening Acne Fighting Toner

Abi’s Home Made Toner
DIY Skin Care

When I was trying to find my solution to my bad skin, I read a whole lot about holistic remedies; including a variety of toner recipes. I fiddled around with all the information I found and came up with this. I've been using it for nearly two years; my acne scars are nearly all gone so I think it's pretty good. I make it for my friends too. 

Basically, after cleansing I shake up my toner and tip it three times onto a cotton wool pad. I swipe it over my face and moisturise afterwards. 

My face smells like a salad dressing afterwards. Fit. 

Recipe

¾ Rooibos Tea (three tea bags in boiling water, steeped until cool)

¼ Apple Cider Vinegar

¼ Lemon Juice (squeezed fresh from a lemon)

½ tsp ascorbic acid (vitamin C powder)

10 drops of Tea Tree Oil

Nutritional Information

Rooibos Tea

Rooibos, or Red Bush tea is hypoallergenic and antibacterial. It has a high level of flavonoids. Flavonoids help to encourage the body to destroy unwanted pathogens. Rooibos is also reach in the enzyme Superoxide Dismutase which is an excellent anti aging substance.

I used green tea; make sure you steep until cool. First time I poured nearly boiling tea into a bottle and the bottle contorted like cirque du soleil

Fill any empty clean container half way with the tea

Apple Cider Vinegar

Every time you wash your face, you are disrupting your skin’s natural acid mantle. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) restores the skin’s PH levels warding off bacteria. As well as being antibacterial, ACV also evens skin tone, smoothes texture, reduces breakouts, gives skin a “radient glow”

Then I fill the remaining space half way with ACV

(Sainsburys)

Lemon Juice

The citric acid in lemon juice speeds up the process of dead cell shedding. This gives the surrounding cells feedback to reproduce more quickly, giving the skin a brighter appearance. Citric Acid is high in Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA), commonly used in anti wrinkle products. AHA helps to increase collagen production and decrease melatonin production (skin discoloration, freckles and sun spots).

I fill the container nearly to the top with lemon juice. I think freshly squeezed lemon juice would be better but I used all the lemons in my gin. Can't have gin without lemons. 

(Sainsburys)

Ascorbic Acid

Vitamin C Powder or Ascorbic Acid is an antioxidant that slows the rate of free radical damage (which cause fine lines and wrinkles). It also protects skil cells, improves the appearance of sun damage, reduces inflammation, promotes collagen production and lessens hyper pigmentation.

DON'T use too much of this! I did once and it stung my face like crazy. 

(Holland and Barrets)

Tea Tree Oil

A topical antiseptic and antibiotic. Helps to dry up spots and control sebum production.

I also  use tea tree oil as a spot treatment for pimples

(Boots)

And that's it! I would say that this only costs me £1 a bottle; I use little bottles which last me a month, keeping it longer may make it less effective.

I used to use Clinique toners and found they dried my skin out so much and actually made my skin produce more oil as a result. If you don't want to make a toner like this but have problem skin I'd advise staying away from toners which have alcohol in. 

Please share if you have any home made concoctions beauty secrets! I'd love to hear from you. 

And here's a photo of me doing a duck face. Since I'm blogging I feel its a rite of passage.
Quack