Skin Care Routine w/DIY Facial Toners
May times in the past I have used a variety of different soaps, cleansers, foams, gels, and/or on my face that totally wreaked havoc on my delicate skin. How many of you out there can relate to that. I’ve tried from gentle cleansers to St. Ives scrubs to the traditionally most used OXY on my face, and always my skin was left shiny but also dry and lacking. As I got older I thought that maybe my face likes to be dirty since the only time I had breakouts was when I introduce a skin cleaning regimen to my daily schedule. I was a girl that could wear tons of makeup, sleep in it and retouch the next morning without having breakout issues. In the last few years (now that I’m getting older) I have added a cleansing regimen to my morning and night routine. Though through trial and error have I been able to depict that it actually takes more than just a cleanser to keep this face feeling its best, but a whole routine that I have been following twice a day and all without breakouts. Read on if you want to know my routine and also A DIY facial toner you can have at home.
Skincare Types
Now don’t be scared because when you walk into any skincare aisle at a store there is a huge volume of product options and of course it can be overwhelming. To know what you need, you must first know your skin type. Determined by genetics, (unfortunately) there are only four basic types of skin: normal, dry, oily, and combination skin. After finding out your skin type you can google it to see what kind of cleansers, toners, and moisturizers, etc, are great to use on your face.
Skin Care Routine
I have normal type skin and here is my skincare routine. Feel free to change it to suit your own skin type. Some people do different things as long as it helps your skin be the best it can be without breakouts.
Cleanser
Toner
Mask (once a week)
Serum
Moisturizer
Eye cream
SunScreen
As a cosmetologist, I learned that it is better to apply and layer skincare products from thinnest to thickest that way your skin absorbs the products for maxim benefits.
All about Toner
Come to find out many people aren’t quite sure what facial toner is, what it does for your skin, and when to use it. Well, let’s clear that up and answer those questions, shall we. Toner is used after cleansing the face. In a way, it is a backup to remove excess oils, skin impurities, dirt, and oil from the face that may be left behind after cleansing. Another job of Toner is to refresh and nourish skin after cleansing, without stripping any moisture, and to act as a primer for the rest of your skincare products. Toning completes the cleansing process by conditioning your skin and adding beneficial vitamins and minerals to your complexion. different types of toners will help with a variety of needs including increasing hydration, soothing damaged or dry skin, fighting oil and bacteria, calming inflammation and redness, or holding back the effects of aging.
Toner VS. Skintype
If you’re wondering if there is a toner that fits your skin type, then the answer is yes. And here is a key to follow when out shopping (or making) your toner.
Normal skin: use a refreshing, alcohol-free facial toner that gently cleanses the skin without any additives.
Combination skin: rose water is the best choice.
Dry skin: always choose a toner that is alcohol-free so the skin does not dry out further. Face toners with nourishing or essential oils are suitable.
Sensitive skin: avoid artificial fragrances and dyes, alcohol, and silicones. Mild toners with active ingredients like chamomile work particularly well.
Blemished skin: use an antibacterial toner that prevents blemishes. Products with clarifying and anti-inflammatory ingredients such as tea tree oil, salicylic acid, or rose water regulate sebum production and refine pores.
Oily skin: Witch hazel, lemon extract, or a light alcohol content can regulate oily skin.
Mature skin: The choice should be a toner with hyaluronic acid, green tea, acerola extract, or magnesium extract. As we age, the skin barrier becomes weaker, so mature skin needs intensive care.
DIY Toners
Normal skin
Apple cider vinegar and honey Toner
2–4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
1 cup of water
1 teaspoon of honey; stir well.
Transfer the mixture to a glass container.
Optional – for additional soothing effects, add 1 chamomile tea bag to the mixture and steep for 10 minutes.
Dry skin
Cucumber and aloe vera toner
Peel and chop a cucumber; transfer to a pan.
Cover with distilled water, heat at low temperature, and then let cool.
Blend and strain into a glass container.
Add a few drops of aloe vera.
Oily skin
Witch hazel and lemon juice toner
1/2 cup of witch hazel
few drops of fresh lemon juice.
Transfer the mixture to a glass container.
Shake container before each use.
Combination skin
Glycerin and lemon juice toner
1 cup of water
1 teaspoon of glycerin
3–5 drops of fresh lemon juice.
Stir the mixture well and transfer to a glass container.
Shake container before each use.
Sensitive skin
Rose water and chamomile toner
2 cups of rose petals
3 cups water (boil gently for 30 minutes to make rose water.)
2-3 drops of chamomile oil to the rose water and stir.
Let the mixture cool and transfer to a glass container.
Alternately, use 1 chamomile tea bag in place of the chamomile oil.
Acne-prone skin
Tea tree oil and green tea toner
2 green tea bags
1 cup of boiling water for 5 minutes and let cool.
Transfer the mixture to a glass container
2-3 drops of tea tree oil.
Toner Deaf no more
Remember that toners should be the second step in your skincare routine because it helps remove any lingering residues left behind after cleansing. Toners have multiple benefits that include reducing the appearance of large pores, moisturizing, protecting, and restoring the skin’s pH balance.
DIY toners can offer the same results as store-bought products, but it allows you to change the ingredients to meet your specific skincare needs, Remember not all skin is created equal. When creating a DIY toner, you should always get ingredients that are suited to your skin type.
Normal, dry, and sensitive skin types should use gentle ingredients that help balance the skin’s pH and also provide moisture.
Oily skin types should use oil-controlling ingredients
Acne-prone skin needs to use Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial ingredients.
Happy Toning!
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