FLORAL APPLE CIDER VINEGAR TONER
When I first ventured into the universe of natural skin care, apple cider vinegar was one of my first discoveries. I had been using the ingredient in my morning lemon water but had no idea it could be applied to the skin. If this is new information to you as well, you are in for a spectacular uncovering because apple cider vinegar (ACV) is an outstanding facial toner. I, like many individuals, am not particularly fond of the smell of apple cider vinegar, so to remedy my aversion, I simply infuse dried lavender flowers and rose petals into apple cider vinegar.
MAKING A FLORAL APPLE CIDER VINEGAR TONER
The first step in this DIY toner recipe is to capture the floral aroma by infusing dried flowers into the apple cider vinegar. I’ve selected organic dried lavender flowers and organic dried rose petals. Grind the lavender flowers and rose petals into a coarse powder using a mortar and pestle. Fill about 1/5 of a sterilized glass airtight container with the dried flowers and pour the organic apple cider vinegar over the flowers until the container is filled to the top. Place a piece of unbleached parchment paper on top of the container before tightly sealing the lid. Apple cider vinegar is very acidic and can eat away at metal lids — the parchment paper decreases the risk of this happening.
Store the glass container in a cool, dark place for about two weeks, gently shaking it once a day. You will notice the apple cider vinegar change in color as it soaks up the advantageous constituents of the flowers.
Strain the apple cider vinegar into a bowl or cup using a fine mesh strainer. Discard the flowers in your composter. Transfer the infused apple cider vinegar to a second sterilized glass airtight container and label your floral-infused apple cider vinegar with the contents and date of creation.
To make the floral apple cider vinegar facial toner, pour the desired ratio of distilled water to floral-infused apple cider vinegar into a sterilized glass bottle. Place the lid on the bottle and gently shake to thoroughly combine. Label your floral apple cider vinegar toner with the contents and date of creation.
UNDERSTANDING THE INGREDIENTS
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Apple cider vinegar is a natural vinegar solution created from crushed apples. Creating apple cider vinegar from crushed apples is a several step process that involves natural sugars being converted into ethanol alcohol and then the ethanol alcohol being converted into acetic acid. I highly recommend buying apple cider vinegar that is organic, unpasteurized, and reads “with the mother” on the label to reap all of the beneficial constituents in apple cider vinegar.
You might be asking yourself, but why apple cider vinegar as a facial toner? This is a great question. Apple cider vinegar can balance the skin’s pH. This means your face is in a healthy equilibrium of producing enough oil to keep your cells hydrated and protected, but not overproducing oil and clogging pores. Apple cider vinegar also offers antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic qualities, which can assist those battling problematic skin conditions, like acne. The acetic acid and malic acid found in the fruit, contributes to apple cider vinegar's exfoliation and cell turnover power. It also removes dirt and dead skin to assist in the prevention of clogged pores.
Apple cider vinegar is a suitable toner for all skin types, but it should always be diluted. Using undiluted apple cider vinegar on the face can cause major irritation and even burns, so always tone it down: distilled water or hydrosols are great options for dilution.
Below is a suggestion of distilled water to apple cider vinegar ratios based on skin type:
Mature Skin: 8 parts distilled water to 1 part apple cider vinegar
Normal Skin: 6 parts distilled water to 1 part apple cider vinegar
Oily Skin: 4 parts distilled water to 1 part apple cider vinegar
Sensitive Skin: 9 parts distilled water to 1 part apple cider vinegar
Note: I always recommend performing a patch test before applying a homemade toner to the face.
DISTILLED WATER
It is often recommended to utilize distilled water in any recipe that calls for water; it will extend the shelf life of your homemade products. Distilled water has undergone a distillation process to eliminate contaminants such as bacteria, inorganic minerals, and heavy metals.
DRIED BOTANICALS
To combat the potent smell of apple cider vinegar, the vinegar needs to be infused with dried botanicals. Skin-loving flowers to experiment with include dried calendula flowers, dried chamomile flowers, dried helichrysum flowers, dried hibiscus flowers, dried lavender flowers, and dried rose petals.
DIY FLORAL APPLE CIDER VINEGAR TONER
Ingredients
distilled water
organic apple cider vinegar
organic dried lavender flowers
organic dried rose petals
Materials
mortar and pestle
2 sterilized glass airtight containers
unbleached parchment paper
fine mesh strainer
bowl or cup
airtight bottle
Instructions
Grind the organic dried lavender flowers and organic dried rose petals to a coarse powder using a mortar and pestle.
Fill about 1/5 of a sterilized glass airtight container with the dried flowers and pour the organic apple cider vinegar over the flowers until the jar is filled to the top.
Place a piece of unbleached parchment paper on top of the jar opening before tightly sealing the lid.
Store the glass container in a cool, dark place for up to two weeks, gently shaking the jar once a day.
When pleased with the scent, strain apple cider vinegar into a mixing bowl or cup using a fine mesh strainer. Discard the flowers in your composter.
Transfer the infusion to the second sterilized glass airtight container and label your floral-infused apple cider vinegar.
Pour the desired ratio of distilled water to floral-infused apple cider vinegar into a sterilized bottle.
Place the lid on the bottle and gently shake to thoroughly combine.
Label your floral apple cider vinegar toner.
How to Use
After cleansing the face, apply the floral apple cider vinegar toner using a reusable facial round - a zero waste alternative to disposable round cotton balls. The facial round cloth will add a mild exfoliating action that can remove any residue or impurities left behind from your cleanser. Dampen the facial round with the toner and gently wipe over the face and neck. Proceed with a natural facial serum, natural facial moisturizer, or natural facial oil appropriate for your skin type.
