Easy DIY Cedar Face Toner for Acne Prone Skin
This DIY cedar tip face toner brings an earthy element to your skincare routine, adding an extra cleanse and boost of hydration while tightening pores and helping various skin issues.
Evergreens stand out as the leaves fall from the rest of the autumn trees, showcasing their beauty. Evergreens are easy to find and often abundant. Western Red Cedar (thuja plicata) is actually a cypress. The tips take a very long time to decompose, so one may find them lying on the forest floor. Native healers used Western Red Ceder for UTIs, fevers, skin infections, fungal infections, rheumatism, colds, and more.
Why Cedar Tip Toner?
This cedar tip-infused toner is perfect for those with normal-to-oily, acne-prone skin. Its soothing properties help calm irritation, while its gentle astringent quality helps tighten pores. On top of that, if you deal with common fungal issues (think under the bust or on the upper back), this toner can also lend a helping hand there. It’s versatile, aromatic, and brings the spirit of a lush forest right into your skincare regimen.
While there is not much science behind the properties of this herb, its antifungal, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties are uncontested, making it a perfect choice to infuse in a face and body toner for those who have normal to oily, acne-prone skin. This toner can also be used elsewhere on the body for areas with common fungal infections like under the bust and on the upper back (often appearing as light splotches).
Grab your Free Routine
The 15 Minute Homestead Routine (for busy days).
Want a simple morning rhythm that keeps your home running, your garden growing, and your goals on track? Grab my free 15-Minute Morning Routine Worksheets—designed to help you build homestead habits that stick.
Cedar Face Toner Recipe
Ingredients you’ll need for this recipe
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please visit my privacy + disclosure page for more details.
Can you use other evergreens?
Yes! Other evergreens such as pine, spruce, or hemlock could also work. Each has its own unique scent and properties, so feel free to experiment—just make sure you properly identify and safely forage your plants.
Ingredients
Crush Cedar Tips into Jar
Cover with Witch Hazel
Let Sit
Strain Mixture
Add Vegetable Glycerin
How to make a Fresh Face Toner
- Gently crush cedar tips into a glass pint jar.
- Top with witch hazel extract. Fill to the top of the jar.
- Seal the jar tightly and let it sit for 2-3 weeks in a cool, dark place, shaking it once or twice a day.
- After 2-3 weeks, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth and discard the solids.
- Pour the mixture into a clean spray bottle and add 1 tsp vegetable glycerin.
- Carefully label your spray bottle. Witch hazel is not very safe to ingest, so label well.
- To use, give the bottle a good shake and spray it onto your face and body after cleansing.
Storage and Use
Keep this toner spray in a cool, dark place, and it should last for up to six months.
Applying the toner once or twice a day—morning and evening—is plenty. After cleansing your face, spritz a light mist and let it absorb before applying your moisturizer. Adjust frequency based on how your skin responds.
Notes & Tips
- Aloe Vera Substitute: Don’t have vegetable glycerin on hand or want a different finish? Feel free to swap it out for aloe vera gel for even more hydration and soothing qualities.
- Apple Cider Vinegar Boost: If you struggle with severe acne, consider adding a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar at the end of the process. This extra step can help balance skin pH and give blemishes a run for their money.
- Sensitive Skin Check: If you have sensitive skin, do a small patch test on your inner forearm before applying the toner to your face or body. Always listen to your skin—if something doesn’t feel right, discontinue use.
Did you make this recipe?
Mention @brittanylgibson so I can see your creations! You can also leave a comment below!
Bringing the Forest to Your Daily Skincare Ritual
There’s something grounding and comforting about stepping outside, breathing in the crisp, woodsy air, and knowing that the forest provides more than just beautiful scenery. By creating this cedar tip toner, you’re capturing a piece of that feeling and bringing it into your daily skincare ritual. It’s a mindful, nourishing practice that reminds us to appreciate the gifts of nature—and our skin will thank us for it.
Looking for more evergreen DIYS? Check out this easy DIY Evergreen Bath Salt Recipe or make an Evergreen Simmer Pot!
Pin it for Later!
About the Author
Brittany Gibson is a modern suburban homesteader and the founder of The Homestead Challenge. She empowers women to adopt a simpler, more self-sufficient lifestyle, feeling confident to grow, create, and thrive on their own terms with joy and balance.
Read more about my transformation and join me in building our lives from scratch.
Easy DIY Cedar Face Toner Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup western red cedar tips
- 1 cup witch hazel extract
- 1 tsp vegetable glycerin
Instructions
- Gently crush cedar tips into a glass pint jar.
- Top with witch hazel extract. Fill to the top of the jar.
- Seal the jar tightly and let it sit for 2-3 weeks in a cool, dark place, shaking it once or twice a day.
- After 2-3 weeks, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth and discard the solids.
- Pour the mixture into a clean spray bottle and add 1 tsp vegetable glycerin.
- Carefully label your spray bottle. Witch hazel is not very safe to ingest, so label well.
- To use, give the bottle a good shake and spray it onto your face and body after cleansing.
