How to make it
- 1Choose alcohol-free witch hazel
This is important — most commercial witch hazel contains 14% alcohol, which is drying and irritating for sensitive skin. Look for alcohol-free witch hazel specifically. It is available at pharmacies and online.
- 2Combine rose water and witch hazel
Pour both into a small glass bottle. The ratio is 1:1, but you can adjust: more rose water for a gentler, more hydrating toner; more witch hazel for more pore-tightening astringent action.
- 3Add rosehip oil and lavender
Add rosehip seed oil and lavender essential oil. These add additional skin benefits — rosehip for brightness and cell turnover; lavender for calming redness and inflammation.
- 4Shake and refrigerate
Cap the bottle and shake gently. Label with the date. Refrigerate immediately — the cold temperature also helps with puffiness and pore appearance when applied in the morning.
- 5Apply after cleansing
After washing your face, apply toner with a cotton pad or mist directly onto skin. Pat (do not rub) and allow to dry for 30 seconds before applying moisturiser or serum.
Tap water is often alkaline (pH 7–8). Healthy skin has a pH of around 4.5–5.5. Cleansing with tap water temporarily disrupts this acid mantle — the protective barrier that keeps moisture in and bacteria out. Applying a slightly acidic toner (rose water and witch hazel are both mildly acidic) immediately after cleansing restores the pH balance quickly and helps everything you apply afterwards absorb more effectively.
Key ingredient benefits
- Replace witch hazel with plain rose water for an extremely gentle, pure rosewater toner
- Add 1 tsp aloe vera gel for extra soothing and hydrating properties
- Use green tea (cooled, brewed) instead of rose water for an antioxidant-rich, oily skin toner
- Add 3 drops of tea tree oil for an acne-fighting version suited to breakout-prone skin
- Add 1 tsp glycerine for a more hydrating, humectant toner suited to very dry skin