Most of us know that to keep skin clean and healthy, we need to follow a daily cleansing-toning-and-moisturizing routine. A cleanser eliminates dirt and makeup while a moisturizer adds back the lost moisture to the skin. So what is the role of a toner? Do we need one? Or is it just a gimmick used by cosmetic companies to sell their products?
The fact is: many dermatologists recommend the use of a skin toner, post-cleansing and before moisturizing, to maintain the skin’s natural pH barrier and also prep the skin for serums and moisturizers that follow. However, most commercial skin toners contain harsh ingredients like alcohol which tend to strip the skin of its natural oils.
So why not make your own toner at home using Apple cider vinegar? After all, people have used apple cider vinegar (ACV) for decades, to fight all kinds of skin issues. So a toner made with apple cider vinegar makes so much sense, doesn’t it?
So let us first discuss why toners are important, followed by the benefits of using ACV skin toners. Later on, we will also discuss three simple ACV toner recipes to fight various skin issues.
Table of Contents
Why should you use a toner post-cleansing?
To restore pH of the skin
Toners or astringents complete the cleansing process and help restore skin’s natural acid barrier. Acidic pH fights bacteria to ward off skin issues.
To freshen up the skin
Toners leave the skin feeling cool and refreshed. Moreover, they complete the job that a cleanser may not do fully, in that; they remove residual makeup, lotions, sunscreen and dirt accumulated during the day.
To prepare the skin
Toners prepare the skin for a serum, moisturizer, or night cream. They help make facial treatments more effective. A skin toner balances pH and reduces your chances of developing skin rashes or other skin problems when you use facial treatments. Thus, they help protect the skin and also prepare your skin for other treatments.
To reduce pore size
Astringents and toners reduce the appearance of large, unsightly pores by literally shrinking them. This also reduces bumps, zits, acne, and other unsightly skin issues.
Thus; the use of a skin toner post-cleansing should be made an essential part of home skincare regime.
Why use apple cider vinegar-based toners?
Apple cider vinegar toners are better than commercial toners as they are free from alcohol, chemicals, and preservatives. They also suit different skin types. Here are some more reasons for using an ACV toner over commercial ones:
It is inexpensive
Organic apple cider vinegar (ACV) is much cheaper than most skincare products from top brands available in the market these days.
The simple elixir performs multiple functions so you do not need to buy several products for different jobs. It cures and heals, protects, and replenishes. Moreover, it has been used for decades for skincare, medicinal uses, and even as a superfood to nourish the body from the inside.
ACV toners made at home are a lot cheaper than top skin toners and astringents from big brands. So you will not only end up with great skin; you would also save a lot of money by making the toner at home!
It is all-natural
Many toners, even the so-called organic and natural ones, are filled with parabens, chemicals, preservatives, fragrances, and dyes.
Apple cider vinegar toner is all-natural and contains no additives, chemicals, or preservatives. You can use ACV right in the comforts of your home replacing the chemical-laden toners that tend to wreak havoc on the skin.
It prevents damage and unhealthy changes in the skin
A skin toner made with ACV containing ‘mother enzyme strands’ contains many antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that promote blood flow to the skin and beautify the appearance.
The natural enzymes keep the skin clear and clean without any harsh side effects.
It detoxifies and cleans pores
Apple cider vinegar toner removes sebum, bacteria, and tangible grime and dirt from the pores that a cleanser often leaves behind.
Clogged pores make it difficult for the skin to breathe and that can enhance sebum production. This leads to acne breakouts. ACV toner helps prevent clogging of pores. It also cleans and detoxifies the skin while restoring its natural pH to give you a healthy and glowing complexion.
It diminishes eczema
Eczema causes red, itchy, and inflamed patches on the skin. The main cause of eczema is allergens. There is no cure for eczema other than preventing exposure to the said allergen.
By regularly using apple cider vinegar toner you can diminish eczema since ACV is a natural antibacterial, anti-viral, and hypoallergenic. It also calms down irritated and inflamed areas of the skin and repairs damaged skin cells.
It prevents fungal infections
Apple cider vinegar has a variety of anti-fungal elements and immunity-boosting vitamins. Additionally, it contains minerals that assist in the repair of skin that is damaged by fungal issues like ringworm.
The antioxidants in ACV also prevent future fungal growth. Many people have successfully managed to restore skin-health by using apple cider vinegar toner for fungal infections on the skin or nails.
It soothes rough, callused skin
Natural wear and tear and environmental factors can sometimes lead to rough, raised skin patches.
Most dermatologists recommend regular exfoliation treatments to remove dead skin and help stimulate collagen and elastin layers to regenerate themselves.
When you regularly apply ACV toner, it improves blood circulation, softens the skin, and regenerates skin cells. It also reduces inflammation and helps remove dead skin cells. This makes the skin look softer, smoother, and younger.
It heals and nourishes sunburnt skin
Sun-damaged skin can benefit greatly from the use of an ACV toner. When the skin is damaged, the subcutaneous blood vessels get broken and that can make the skin extremely sensitive, tender and painful.
Apple cider vinegar toner speeds up the healing process and reduces redness. It also fights inflammation to prevent peeling of the skin.
It lightens acne marks and age spots
When acne heals, it often leaves behind unsightly marks and scars on the skin. Similarly, age spots, which are tan/brown oval-shaped discolorations, start to appear on mature skin.
Hyper-pigmentation also arises in men and women over the age of 40 and these spots tend to become darker and more noticeable as we age. Since apple cider vinegar contains large amounts of Beta Carotene and Vitamin C, it assists in the repair of skin cells. It also improves the appearance of the skin by renewing the skin’s surface.
Many women have seen a marked difference in the health of their skin by using a natural Apple cider vinegar toner. Of course, it is recommended that apart from using ACV topically, you should also drink it daily to aid the body’s reparative system in fighting free-radical damage and skin cell regeneration.
PrintACV Toner Recipe for Oily Skin
- Total Time: 15 minutes
Description
You can even keep this simple DIY skin toner in a small spray bottle in your purse to refresh your complexion throughout the day. Worry not, the acidic vinegar-like smell will disappear quickly and I promise you won’t smell like salad dressing!
Ingredients
- 2 tsp organic Apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup of filtered water
- 1 dark or amber-colored glass bottle with dropper or cap.
Instructions
- Simply add the apple cider vinegar into the glass bottle carefully using a dropper.
- Next, add the water and shake the bottle to mix the solution well.
- Using clean and sterile cotton wool, apply the ‘toner’ all over the face post-cleansing.
- Let it air dry completely before applying your moisturizer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
Conclusion
Toners aren’t just another skincare product that cosmetic companies are trying to sell you. They are necessary because they help maintain the skin’s acidic mantle and also remove impurities that your cleanser leaves behind.
Good skin toners lower the skin’s pH to prevent bacteria that cause acne, zits, and blisters. In short: toners further help the cleansing action to adjust skin pH to optimal level for cellular growth and function. However, your toner should contain gentle ingredients and not harsh ones like alcohol or witch hazel which strip off the skin’s natural oils. This is where Apple cider vinegar toner recipes come to your rescue.
For me, apple cider vinegar is more than the perfect skin-toning elixir. It is great for the skin, hair, and body and also helps maintain overall health and well-being.
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