DIY Green Tea Toner

Revive stressed skin with this antioxidant-rich DIY green tea toner! The homemade facial toner is incredibly hydrating and provides relief for red, irritated skin. This face toner recipe is made with green tea extract, hydrosol, matcha, and other good-for-you ingredients. A great asset for all skin types!

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Homemade green tea toner

I feel super excited to share this homemade green tea toner with you! Green tea is one of my absolute favorite skincare ingredients. I’ve been fantasizing about this green tea facial toner all year long, and I’m sure you’ll love it too!

First, this homemade beauty concoction is suitable for all skin types. Second, it’s a true multitasker and simultaneously addresses various issues – perfect for those who prefer fewer skincare products in their routine.

My green tea toner recipe is calming + soothing, balances oiliness, and can reduce acne at the same time. The high levels of antioxidants in green tea protect your skin from premature skin aging. Sign me up!

We love creating our own toners! You do too? Then try some of our other favorites like this homemade rose water toner, DIY anti-acne toner, anti age toner, and this hydrating toner for dry skin.

Green tea toner benefits

Before we delve into the recipe, allow me to quickly recount all the reasons why you should try this DIY green tea toner yourself:

• Hydration: This gentle toner replenishes your skin with moisture post-cleanse.
• Soothing: The formula is infused with calming ingredients that soothe redness, swelling, and irritation.
• Refining: The face toner can help to refine skin texture, shrink enlarged pores, and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Antioxidants: The antioxidants in green tea protect your skin from free radicals and oxidative stress.
• Lightweight: The texture is a little thicker than water and feels super light on the skin. It’s not sticky or smeary.
• Natural: All materials in this toner are natural and plant-based, making it vegan-friendly.
• Easy: DIY green tea toner is quick to whip up with just a few materials.

Is green tea toner good for my skin type?

Yes, this homemade toner offers benefits for all skin types and can be used at any age. Find out what it can do for you!

• Normal and combination skin: You probably have a few skin concerns, but this lightly hydrating toner is helpful to restore the balance of your skin after cleansing.
• Sensitive skin: The calming and anti-inflammatory properties of this toner can tamp down redness and itching.
• Dry skin will benefit from the extra boost in hydration and nourishment. The alcohol-free formula won’t strip or dry out your skin, which is so important when choosing a toner for dry skin.
• Oily skin and acne: Green tea’s catechins can balance sebum production and help with breakouts.The ingredient can also alleviate the red skin bumps caused by acne, according to a 2016 study.
• Mature skin: Green tea can help your skin handle the aging process better. It has shown to improve skin elasticity and reduce skin damage induced by the sun.

Ingredients

Green tea has been long celebrated for its plethora of skincare benefits. The toner hails 3 forms of green tea: green tea hydrosol, green extract, and matcha powder. Let’s start with these key ingredients:

Green tea hydrosol

Green tea hydrolat, one of the major players in this toner recipe, is a gentle way to incorporate green tea into the formula. The hydrosol is made by steam distilling the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant.

The hydrosol features a wide spectrum of actives and is said to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and other catechins. These natural plant compounds promote collagen production and improve your skin’s resiliency against environmental influences.

Where to buy green tea hydrosol?

Sadly, green tea hydrosol is somewhat difficult to source. I bought mine from a French company called Florihana. They offer world-wide shipping, and their green tea hydrosol is organic and 100% pure.

If that isn’t an option for you, prepare the toner with distilled water or another hydrosol, for example, neroli hydrosol, chamomile hydrosol, or calendula hydrosol.

You can also use freshly brewed and cooled green tea. Ideally, brew the tea with distilled water.

Green tea extract

The second key ingredient is green tea extract, one of the most concentrated forms of green tea. The plant extract is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols such as catechins, tannins, and flavonoids.

Catechins protect your skin against oxidative stress by fighting free radicals, which are molecules that can cause skin damage.

Tannins have astringent qualities, meaning they shrink enlarged pores and create a smoother, more refined complexion.

Flavonoids help to neutralize free radicals and maintain the skin’s overall health and appearance.

Furthermore, the extract potentially improves skin elasticity and various skin concerns like redness, acne, and rosacea. A study also revealed that applying green tea extract may reduce damage caused by sun exposure.

My green tea face toner recipe carries approximately 8% of the ingredient. Green tea extract also contains glycerin, which is why I didn’t include any additional glycerin in the formula.

I based my statements on the skincare benefits of green tea on the following sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Matcha powder

Matcha powder is the third green tea component in this DIY facial toner. I mostly added matcha to give the toner a soft green color. But the powder offers plenty of skincare benefits, too.

Like green tea extract and hydrosol, matcha quenches inflammation thanks to its antioxidants content. It contains methylxanthines, which stimulate circulation in the skin and support a radiant complexion.

Other ingredients

You also need the following ingredients. Some are optional.

• Hyaluronic acid powder is a powerful humectant. It draws and binds moisture into the skin, providing deep hydration from within. The ingredient also enhances the texture of the toner. Use low molecular weight hyaluronic acid for the best results.
• Beta-glucan (optional) is a type of sugar derived from yeast, fungi, or seaweed. The ingredient is an excellent soothing agent, helping to minimize redness, signs of aging, and an uneven skin tone.
• Allantoin (optional), a powder made from the root of the comfrey plant, is a wonderful all-rounder and anti-irritant. It increases smoothness, soothes irritation, and encourages the growth of new tissue.
• Preservative Eco (Geogard ECT), a natural broad-spectrum preservative, ensures that the formula is protected against mold, yeast, bacteria, and other microbes that could spoil thematch toner.
• Lactic acid helps to calibrate the pH of the formula to a skin-friendly level.

How to make green tea toner

The wonderful thing about this face toner recipe is that it’s super easy. Let me show you how to make green tea toner at home.

Step 1: Measure

• Weight out each ingredient.
• Ideally, use a digital scale to get precise measurements. Measuring cups and spoons will work, too, if you don’t have a digital scale.

Step 2: Combine

• Add the green tea hydrosol, green tea extract, matcha powder, hyaluronic acid powder, beta-glucan, allantoin, lactic acid, and preservative into a glass jar (images 1 & 2).
• Screw on the lid tightly to seal the jar.
• Shake the jar vigorously to combine the ingredients for 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 3: Dissolve

• After shaking, you will still see lumps of undissolved hyaluronic acid powder (image 3).That’s perfectly fine. Hyaluronic acid will dissolve on its own, but it takes some time.
• Put the closed jar in the fridge and let the toner solution rest for a few hours or overnight.
• Once the hyaluronic acid has fully dissolved, all lumps will disappear, and the texture will appear slightly thicker (image 4).

Step 4: Store

• Transfer the product into a glass storage bottle. I recommend a vessel with a drop applicator or a spray nozzle.
• Optionally, apply the printable label to label your toner.
• High five, your green tea face toner is ready to use!

How to use green tea toner

Let me show you how to make this green tea facial toner part of your beauty routine:

1. Cleanse and wash your face, for example, with a gentle cleansing balm or face wash.
2. Shake the bottle well before each use. After a while, some of the matcha powder will settle at the bottom, and you want to redistribute it again.
3. Soak a cotton pad with product. I like these reusable, zero-waste makeup remover pads.
4. Apply. Gently dap the pad all over your face, down the neck, and around your chest area.
5. Let absorb. Wait for 2 to 3 minutes and allow the toner to absorb into your skin.
6. Continue with the remainder of your skincare regime and apply a face mist, serum, face oil, moisturizer, and SPF.

Can I apply green tea on my face every day?

Yes, DIY green tea toner can be used twice daily as part of your morning and night routines.

In case of sensitive skin, start by applying the toner once a day and see how your skin handles the product. Gradually increase the amount to 2 times and see if your skin adapts.

When is the best time to use the matcha toner?

Apply the homemade toner morning and night after cleansing your face.

Green tea face mist

Creating a DIY green tea face mist is another way of using this toner recipe. This is what you do:

1. Transfer the toner into a spray bottle with a fine mister nozzle.
2. Close your eyes.
3. Spray 10 in / 25 cm from your skin until your face and neck are covered in a light mist.
4. Wait a few moments and then follow up with your other skincare products.

Storage instructions

• Package: Store your homemade matcha toner in an amber glass or cobalt blue glass bottle to preserve the integrity of the ingredients. If opting for a clear bottle like me, be sure to keep the toner in a place where it isn’t exposed to direct sunlight.
• Store: Store your DIY green tea toner in a dark, cool location at room temperature. Avoid exposure to the sun because UV light will degrade the quality of the ingredients.
• Shelf life: The toner will keep good for 5 to 6 months.

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Homemade green tea toner FAQ

Is green tea good as a toner?

Yes, green tea is stock full of antioxidants and nourishing properties and has excellent toning qualities. However, don’t apply pure green tea as a facial toner. You see, green tea is alkaline, with a pH ranging between 7 to 10.

Using alkaline products offsets the skin’s natural pH, which lays between 4.5 and 5.5, and can lead to irritation and other issues.

My face toner recipe is properly pH-adjusted, thanks to a few drops lactic acid. This article from Allure explains why the pH balance of skincare products matters so much.

Can I apply green tea on face overnight?

Yes, you can leave the facial tone on overnight as long as no irritation occurs. But as I just explained, pure green tea isn’t ideal as toner and should not be sit on your face longer than 5 minutes.

Is green tea toner good for acne?

Yes, this green tea toner recipe is great for acne. It can soothe irritation, balance sebum production, and fight acne-causing bacteria. The toner may even promote cell turnover and fade acne scars.

Does green tea toner dry your skin?

No, green tea doesn’t dry out the skin. Instead, it’s an excellent hydrator. One study had participants apply a green tea solution on their forearms. After 30 days, the skin moisture had increased, and roughness was reduced.

Does green tea remove dark spots?

Yes, but only to some extent, so please keep expectations realistic. Green tea can potentially lighten dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and signs of photoaging if you use it regularly.

Does green tea darken skin?

No, it’s a myth that green tea can darken the skin. As I just mentioned, the topical application of green tea has a mild skin brightening effect and can help to even out your skin tone.

Can I add essential oils to the toner recipe?

No, I don’t recommend it. Oil-soluble essential oils won’t mix into the water-based formula. The facial skin is also very delicate, and essential oils can be irritating, which isn’t what we want in a soothing toner.