Witch hazel toner is the perfect remedy for oily skin, and it’s easy to make at home. Add in skin-nourishing herbs and botanicals for a one-of-a-kind experience.
Witch hazel is a common natural choice for treating acne to help clear oily skin. Since witch hazel naturally contains alcohol, it’s a good base for a homemade herbal toner as well.
Simply infuse you favorite skin nourishing herbs, such as calendula or rose petals, and enjoy the herbal goodness.
This recipe comes from the book Natural Homemade Skin Care by Militza Maury, and it’s simple to make at home.
Reprinted with permission from Natural Homemade Skin Care by Militza Maury. Page Street Publishing Co. 2020. Photo credit: Militza Maury.
I recommend this toner for oily skin—it’s amazing at helping to clear up breakouts and rebalance oil production. Dry and normal skin types may find it to be drying over time, because witch hazel has 14 percent alcohol. But it’s the alcohol content that makes witch hazel a good menstruum to extract the beneficial properties of herbs. Use this toner to clear acne as needed.
For some people, it can be used daily; for others, it may only be a protocol until the skin clears. The astringent action of witch hazel is also good at toning the skin and reducing inflammation.
Herbal Witch Hazel Toner
Skin type: acne-prone or oily skin
Shelf life: 6 months
- Dried rose petals or herb of choice (calendula is a great choice for acne-prone skin)
- Witch hazel made only of witch hazel extract and up to 14% alcohol
Choose a glass jar with a lid, sized to match the amount of product you want to make; you will want to fill the jar fully with the herbs and witch hazel, not leaving an air gap. I always prefer to start with a small batch.
Add the herbs to the jar, filling the jar halfway. Pour in the witch hazel to fully cover the herbs, filling the jar all the way to the top. And that’s it! Let the jar sit for 2 to 4 weeks, and give it a shake every couple of days to encourage the extraction.
Always label your infusion with a date so you know when it’s time to strain out the herbs. Leave yourself a calendar reminder, so that you won’t forget!
When it’s ready, strain out the herbs and reserve the infused witch hazel in a glass bottle. Keep it by your sink so you can use it as needed.
To use, apply it directly onto the skin with a cotton pad; you don’t need to dilute it. You can apply it all over your face or just over areas where you see pimples or that need extra cleansing. Do not wipe off the witch hazel—allow it to soak into your skin and do its work!
Tip: Use this toner as a hand sanitizer by adding antimicrobial herbs and essential oils like lavender or tea tree.
Herbal Witch Hazel Toner
Ingredients
Method
- Choose a glass jar with a lid, sized to match the amount of product you want to make; you will want to fill the jar fully with the herbs and witch hazel, not leaving an air gap. I always prefer to start with a small batch.
- Add the herbs to the jar, filling the jar halfway. Pour in the witch hazel to fully cover the herbs, filling the jar all the way to the top. And that’s it! Let the jar sit for 2 to 4 weeks, and give it a shake every couple of days to encourage the extraction.
- Always label your infusion with a date so you know when it’s time to strain out the herbs. Leave yourself a calendar reminder, so that you won’t forget! When it’s ready, strain out the herbs and reserve the infused witch hazel in a glass bottle. Keep it by your sink so you can use it as needed.
- To use, apply it directly onto the skin with a cotton pad; you don’t need to dilute it. You can apply it all over your face or just over areas where you see pimples or that need extra cleansing. Do not wipe off the witch hazel—allow it to soak into your skin and do its work!
Notes
DIY Skincare
Looking for more herbal skincare recipes?
Leave a Reply