Honestly, aloe might be my favorite beauty ingredient. I use it in my face wash. I use it in my toner. I use it in my moisturizer. In my homemade shampoo. In my hairstyling products. Eye cream. You name it, I find a way to get aloe in it.
There’s a reason I love aloe so much. Aloe is anti-inflammatory and is a standard from soothing everything from sunburns to rashes. It is full of vitamins and minerals that your skin needs. It helps moisturize the skin without leaving a greasy or heavy feeling. It is truly an incredible skincare ingredient.
One of the most popular posts on my site has been my aloe vera moisturizer. I think it’s popular with good reason, because it’s really great stuff. I also posted an aloe vera face wash that I just can’t get enough of.
I didn’t think I needed toner, but I kept seeing great toner recipes on pinterest. I figured I should just make some and give it a try- because it looked so easy! And now toner is an essential part of my skin care routine. How did I go so long without it??
One thing that some people complain about toner is that it dries your skin out. Toner is supposed to help tighten pores and help clean off anything that your face wash missed. Toner can help reduce excess oil production in people with oily skin and prevent acne. Well, the beauty of this toner is that it works for all skin types- so people with drier skin don’t have to worry! It helps tighten pores and cleanse without drying you out.
Wanna know how? Enter my favorite, aloe vera!
When I came up with this ridiculously simple recipe, I was so surprised I hadn’t seen it before. It just makes so much sense.
Witch hazel extract is a natural astringent, which means it helps rid skin of excess oil and shrink pores. Witch hazel can help clear your pores of lots of nasty stuff that causes acne and irritation.
Aloe Vera gel adds the of moisturizing and soothing properties to this toner.
Now, you could go to the drug store and buy some witch hazel extract and aloe vera gel there, but I don’t recommend it. Most of the witch hazel you can buy in stores is primarily alcohol and most of the aloe vera gel is primarily gel and additives. The goal here is to get the benefits of these ingredients, so you really need the good stuff. Otherwise, you might as well make your toner with rubbing alcohol and hair gel (yuck!)
The aloe vera gel and witch hazel extract I use come from Mountain Rose Herbs. You can also find high quality aloe vera gel and witch hazel extract online from places like amazon.
Are you ready to find out how easy this is to make?
Aloe Vera Toner
Ingredients and supplies:
- 6 tablespoons witch hazel extract
- 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
- 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil (optional)
- funnel
- fine mist spray bottle or a 4 ounce tight lidded container and cotton balls
Directions:
- Using the funnel, pour the witch hazel, aloe vera, and essential oils into a spray bottle.
- That’s it.
- Seriously.
- So now just shake before use and finely mist your face or apply it using a cotton ball.
My skin is happy as a clam (are clams really happy??). The toner has really brightened up my skin while keeping it dewey and wonderful. It certainly hasn’t dried it out.
And if you do make it yourself, I would love to hear how it goes for you!
Lisa says
does this need to be refrigerated?
Susie says
It doesn’t need it (I don’t refrigerate mine) and because of the small amount of alcohol in the witch hazel it should keep for a long time. If you want it to keep for a very very long time you could refrigerate it. I bet it feels amazing in the hot summer after being refrigerated.
Janelle says
Making this next week – very excited to try! Last toner I made I accidentally put wayyy too much tea tree oil in (before I had started researching essential oils and how far a mere drop goes) and it was very tingly to say the least! So glad I’ve found your website for guidance and knowledge :)
Jan xx
Hadiqa says
Can you add Apple cider vinegar to this recipe?
Susie says
Sure! Let me know if it works out. It could end up making the recipe more drying so you want to adjust the ratio of aloe accordingly.
Teresa says
Hi Susie :)
Can I use fresh aloe vera gel for this? I just harvested a ton of aloe vera and am looking for natural recipes to use them in. I’ve never used it before beyond a quick sunburn relief.
Thanks!
Susie says
Hi Teresa. I’m not sure if it will work if you use fresh aloe vera gel, and it will have a shorter shelf life. I’ve never tried it myself so I’m not sure how it will go.
Uma says
Wats the best essential oil can b used for tis?
Susie says
It’s a matter of preference. Lavender is generally good for the skin.
Timea says
Hey! I made this, as I had an allergic reaction to a toner I bought in store, but I find it dries my skin, the skin feels kind of like i have peel off mask on after I use it…my question is what should I change? Or should I use it for a while until my skin gets kind of used to it ? I have combination skin so I feel like I need a toner in my routine, but I just had bad experience with them.
Susie says
You could try using a smaller amount of toner, or reducing the amount of aloe if it feels like it leaves a film. You could also use a cotton ball to rub it in or pat it into your skin.
Fatima Khan says
Hi Susie,
I was hoping here was a substitute for witch hazel?
Susie says
Hi Fatima,
You can try substituting rose water, but it will not have the same effects that witch hazel does.
Patricia says
I often share my DIY products with my adult daughter. She has found that Lavender essential oil exacerbates her asthma. Would you recommend another essential oil that is really good for skin care? Thanks. I just discovered your website, and really enjoyed it.
Susie says
Thanks! You can always just omit the lavender oil, but if you want to use an oil, tea tree or geranium are both good for skin.