Homemade Facial Toner

I have really enjoyed eliminating every day toiletries from my shopping list over the last couple of years, and as part of that process I have been making my own facial toner for over a year now.

Rosewater is a wonderful natural toner for anyone with normal to dry skin, but I have quite oily skin so I use a combination of rosewater and witch hazel extract. Witch hazel extract is made by distilling the bark from the Witch Hazel tree in alcohol. The extract I buy has an alcohol content of 14% so it can be a little drying on the skin if you are sensitive, but pure witch hazel is terrific as a make up remover, and is often used around the home as natural home remedy to treat minor cuts and bruises and insect bites; I also use it in other homemade products such as my tea tree oil deodorant. You can purchase witch hazel from health food shops, many supermarkets (check the section where the Bandaids are kept) or you can order it online (often in bulk) from shops such as Aussie Soap Supplies.

Making your own rosewater is very easy - simply collect around 2 cups of (tightly packed) rose petals and place in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cover with distilled water (around 2 1/2 cups) and simmer until the liquid has reduced in volume by about half. Cool, pour into sterilised jars and store in the refrigerator.

Alternately you can buy rosewater from natural foods stores, or online from stores such as Aussie Soap Supplies.

Rosewater & Witch Hazel Facial Toner

1 1/4 cups rosewater
3/4 cup witch hazel
6-8 drops glycerine (more for normal skin and less for oilier skin)

Combine ingredients gently in a very clean air tight jar. Apply using a clean facial wipe (I use reusable cotton flannel wipes I made myself) after cleansing.

If you are using homemade rosewater containing no preservatives, you will need to store this solution in the refrigerator.

For other toiletry recipes, check my side bar under "Popular Posts and Recipes".