Green Tea Face Toners

I am running low on the pure rose water that I use as a toner, but since the price is roughly about 35% more in Hong Kong than in the US, I haven’t been able to allow myself to repurchase it here. So, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to play around with D.I.Y recipes and here they are!

I experimented with a few recipes for D.I.Y toners – all of which have the following:

– Organic green tea (I prefer organic otherwise you are putting pesticides directly on your face)

– A spray bottle

As we all know, green tea is a huge source of antioxidants for our bodies and have cancer-fighting properties when consumed. When topically applied, green tea also has amazing beauty benefits. The most active antioxidant in green tea is called catechin. Catechin helps regulate acne as it has anti-bacterial properties. It also rejuvenates old skin cells at the end of their life cycle, so long term use improves the elasticity of the skin. Additionally, the caffeine in green tea helps to reduce inflammation and puffiness.

Note: For all recipes below, it really depends on the size of your spray bottle, so I will only provide ratios.

For Normal/Sensitive Skin

– 1:1 ratio of green tea and Aloe Vera water

Aloe Vera is a very soothing and refreshing ingredient that also softens your skin. Mist the mixture on your face as you would any regular toner and continue with skincare routine.

For Oily Skin

– 1:1 ratio of green tea and rice water

Rice water is known to purify the skin and help regulate excess oil. To make it, soak a handful of rice in mineral water for a few minutes,. The milky water that results can be combined directly with the green tea and misted as usual.

For the Brave

– 1/4 organic apple cider vinegar

-3/4 green tea

– a few drops of lavender essential oil

Apple cider vinegar is great for regulating pH and promoting blood circulation. It is antiseptic and helps with acne as well as the removal of dead skin cells – leaving the skin looking younger and more refreshed. However, as with all vinegar, the smell is pungent and not for the light-hearted. Mix together the above ingredients and add a few drops of purifying lavender oil to alleviate the strong scent. Spray the mixture on a cotton pad, apply all over the face and rinse with warm water after ten minutes, then continue with your normal routine.

Kirby Koo is a French-speaking Chinese-American girl living in Hong Kong who is an avid lover of all things timeless and beautiful. She has worked at Estee Lauder, L’Occitane, and Sephora so she knows the value of living well and looking good and she wants to share her beauty secrets with you. You can also find her at www.kirby-koo.com.