I’ve been making my own skincare products for several years now, but until this year, DIY face toner was one of the few products I was still apprehensive to make. But after doing some in-depth research into the ingredients in the some of the natural toners that I use and love, I decided it was finally time to develop my own face toner. I wanted something made with simple, natural ingredients that was easy to make at home, yet nourishing and effective enough to earn a permanent spot in my daily skincare routine.

This DIY face toner recipe is made with just five simple ingredients: aloe vera juice, rose hydrosol, witch hazel, vegetable glycerin, and a naturally derived ferment-based preservative. It’s refreshing and hydrating without leaving my skin feeling stripped or tight.

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

a woman's hand spraying a DIY face toner in a 4 oz glass amber jar

Unlike many homemade toner recipes that need to be refrigerated and used within a few days, I specifically wanted to create a DIY face toner spray that could sit alongside my other skincare products in my bathroom. That’s why you’ll notice this recipe includes a preservative—an important consideration anytime you’re making a water-based cosmetic product.

Whether you have oily, combination, mature, or dry skin, I’ll also show you how to customize the basic face toner recipe to better suit your skin’s needs.

Why Use a Face Toner?

Toner is typically applied to clean skin after cleansing and before your serum or moisturizer. While older toners were often designed primarily to remove excess oil and leave skin feeling tight, modern toners can be much more hydrating and gentle.

Some potential face toner benefits include:

Removing traces of excess dirt after cleansing skin
Refreshing and lightly hydrating the skin
Helping remove excess oil without harsh cleansing
Preparing damp skin for your favorite skin care products
Helping temporarily minimize the appearance of pores
Supporting a simple, consistent skin care routine

For me, a good toner should leave my skin feeling comfortable, fresh, and hydrated—not squeaky clean or stripped.

This recipe is somewhere between a traditional skin toner and a hydrating botanical facial mist.

DIY face toner in a glass amber spray bottle sitting on a counter next to zinnia flowers

DIY Face Toner Ingredients

This DIY face toner uses just five simple ingredients, each with a specific purpose.

Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera juice is the hydrating, soothing base of this toner. I use preservative-free inner fillet aloe vera juice rather than aloe vera gel, which is too thick for a fine-mist spray bottle.

Rose Water

Rose hydrosol, or rose floral water, adds another layer of gentle hydration along with a naturally light rose aroma. Look for a true steam-distilled rose hydrosol rather than distilled water with fragrance or essential oils added.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a natural astringent that gives this recipe its traditional toning properties. It can help remove excess oil and leave the skin feeling refreshed. I use a relatively small amount so the toner remains hydrating rather than overly drying. For oily skin, I provide a recipe with a little more witch hazel.

Vegetable Glycerin

Vegetable glycerin is a humectant that helps attract moisture to the skin. At just 2% of the formula, it adds hydration and a soft, plump feel without making the toner overly sticky.

Leucidal SF Complete

Because this homemade facial toner contains water-based ingredients, it needs a preservative if you want to keep it at room temperature. I chose Leucidal SF Complete, a naturally derived, ferment-based preservative that fits well with this simple formula and keeps my toner non-toxic and all natural.

Note: Vitamin E oil is an antioxidant, not a broad-spectrum preservative, so it cannot replace the preservative in this recipe.

DIY Face Toner Recipe

Makes approximately 4 ounces

For the most accurate results, I recommend making this facial toner recipe by weight, particularly because it contains a preservative. I’ve included approximate household measurements in parentheses for anyone making it for the first time without a scale.

Ingredients

54 g aloe vera juice – preservative free (about 3½ tablespoons)
42 g rose water (about 3 tablespoons)
18 g witch hazel (about 1 tablespoon)
2.4 g vegetable glycerin (about ½ teaspoon)
3.6 g Leucidal SF Complete (about ¾ teaspoon; follow your manufacturer’s recommended usage rate)

Instructions

1. Place the glass bottle on the scale

Place your clean, sanitized 4 oz glass spray bottle on a digital scale with a small funnel resting in the opening. Tare the scale to zero.

an empty glass amber jar sitting on a kitchen scale with a small funnel in it

2. Add the ingredients directly into the spray bottle

Add the ingredients directly to the bottle in this order: aloe vera juice, rose water, witch hazel, vegetable glycerin, and Leucidal SF Complete. Pouring slowly so that you can measure precisely. Make sure to tare the scale after each ingredient is added.

Then add the lavender and geranium essential oils at the end (if using).

rose water being poured into a small funnel on top of a 4 oz glass amber jar, sitting on a kitchen scale

3. Shake well

Remove the funnel, secure the spray top with lip, and shake well to thoroughly combine all of the ingredients.

Store in a cool dark place.

a woman's hand holding a glass amber jar of face toner

To use, close your eyes and lightly mist the toner over clean skin after cleansing. Follow with your favorite serum or moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp. Or you can make your own anti aging face serum and whipped tallow face cream to complete your homemade skincare routine.

You can also spray the toner onto a cotton pad or cotton ball and gently sweep it across the skin if you prefer a traditional toner application.

Adjusting the DIY Face Toner for Different Skin Types

One of the benefits of making a homemade toner is that you can make small adjustments according to your skin’s needs. You can use this graph to adjust ingredient amounts based on your skin type. I include the recipe for dry, normal, and oily skin.

a face toner recipe graph that shows recipe adjustments based on skin types

Face Toner for Aging Skin

For a face toner for aging skin, I’d actually choose the dry-skin version.

Hydration becomes especially important when the goal is to soften the appearance of fine lines and maintain supple-looking skin. Aloe, rose hydrosol, and glycerin provide hydration without requiring a complicated list of ingredients such as hyaluronic acid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to refrigerate homemade face toner?

This toner does not need to be refrigerated because it contains Leucidal SF Complete which is a natural preservative. I formulated the recipe with this ingredient specifically because I wanted a toner that could be kept at room temperature. However, homemade skincare isn’t laboratory challenge-tested, so I don’t make a guaranteed shelf-life claim. Always follow the preservative manufacturer’s directions and discard the toner if its color, odor, clarity, or texture changes.

Can I make this toner without witch hazel?

Yes. Witch hazel gives this recipe its traditional toning and natural astringent qualities, but it isn’t necessary for hydration. Without it, I’d consider the product more of a hydrating facial mist than a traditional toner.

Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of witch hazel?

I wouldn’t make a direct substitution. Apple cider vinegar is acidic and can significantly alter the pH of the skin and your finished formulation. A DIY product containing it should be formulated separately rather than swapping it one-for-one with witch hazel.

How often can I use this DIY face toner?

I like using it once or twice daily after cleansing skin and before applying serum or moisturizer. As with all skincare products, frequency can depend on your specific skin type and personal preferences.

Is this a good toner for sensitive skin?

The dry-skin variation—with less witch hazel—is the version I’d choose for more sensitive skin. However, everyone’s skin is different. Always perform a patch test when introducing a new homemade cosmetic into your skincare routine.

Final Thoughts

Making your own DIY face toner is a great way to simplify your routine while still creating something that feels luxurious. Rather than combining every trending skincare ingredient I could find, I wanted this recipe to focus on simple ingredients with specific purposes: aloe and rose hydrosol for hydration, witch hazel for gentle toning, vegetable glycerin for moisture, and a ferment-based preservative to help protect the finished product.

Pour it into a pretty glass bottle with a fine-mist sprayer and it feels every bit as special as a store-bought toner—only you know exactly what went into it.

a glass amber jar filled with DIY face toner sitting on a counter next to flowers and a cloth napkin

DIY Face Toner with (with Aloe Vera & Rose Water)

This simple DIY face toner combines soothing aloe vera juice, rose hydrosol, witch hazel, and vegetable glycerin with lavender and geranium essential oils for a refreshing, hydrating facial mist. A naturally derived preservative helps keep this homemade toner fresh, making it an easy addition to your daily skincare routine.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Course Natural Home Recipes

Equipment

Ingredients

54 g aloe vera juice (preservative free) 3 1/2 tbsp
42 g rose water 3 tbsp
18 g witch hazel 1 tbsp
2.4 g vegetable glycerin 1/2 tsp
3.6 g Leucidal SF Complete 3/4 tsp
4 drops geranium essential oil optional

Instructions

Place your clean, sanitized glass spray bottle on a digital scale with a small funnel resting in the opening. Tare the scale to zero.
Add the ingredients directly to the bottle in this order: aloe vera juice, rose water, witch hazel, vegetable glycerin, and Leucidal SF Complete. Pouring slowly so that you can measure precisely. Make sure to tare the scale after each ingredient is added.
Then add the essential oils at the end if using
54 g aloe vera juice (preservative free), 42 g rose water, 18 g witch hazel , 2.4 g vegetable glycerin, 3.6 g Leucidal SF Complete
Remove the funnel, secure the spray top with lip, and shake well to thoroughly combine all of the ingredients.

Notes

Measure by weight: For the most accurate and consistent results, use a digital scale rather than volume measurements.
Sanitize first: Clean and sanitize your spray bottle and funnel before making the toner.
Don’t skip the preservative: Because this is a water-based recipe, a broad-spectrum preservative is important. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended usage rate and pH guidelines for your specific Leucidal SF Complete.
Patch test: Always patch test homemade skincare before applying it to your entire face, especially when using essential oils.

Keyword DIY face toner

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

DIY Face Toner (with Aloe Vera & Rose Water)

Why Use a Face Toner?