DIY Thyme and Green Tea Toner Recipe for Clear Skin

Do you follow the three steps of facial care religiously? Cleanse, tone, moisturize? I’ll be the first to admit that I rarely tone and I skip moisturizing often too but I made a promise to myself that as I approached the “golden” age of thirty I would begin taking better care of my skin.

I had a grand plan that I would switch out all my beauty products for Oil of Olay and all would be solved but whaddaya know, this wonderful world of natural hair care has many great side-effects, one of which being the discovery of so many natural products that are beneficial for the hair and skin.

Benefits of Thyme

One thing that struck me when I was researching different oils was the price of thyme oil. I thought it had to be some exotic thyme, couldn’t be the regular old thyme that grows abundantly in Jamaica and used as a seasoning in every dish.

Apparently, thyme boasts antibacterial, antiseptic and antioxidant benefits. Regular external application of this herb helps in fading the face spots, scars and blemishes. I’ve also read that it can be used to treat scars from surgical marks, accidental injuries, measles, pox and acne. I have a few pox scars left over on my face so I’m about to test all this out as thyme is always in my fridge so….why not? It’s like a free toner.

Related: DIY Remedies for Hyperpigmentation (with Before and After Pictures)

Once upon a time, I didn’t even see the need for a toner. I thought it was only to remove any residue left over from soap so especially now since I haven’t used any kind of chemical or store bought soap on my face in over a month, I really didn’t see the need. But I’ve been reading up and someone somewhere said something about balancing the pH of the skin. From this Livestrong article:

Many toxins that affect the health and appearance of your skin come from industrial-made chemicals. Facial toners work to remove environmental toxins such as smoke, smog and other chemical residues from your skin. This helps your skin to look brighter and healthier, and long-term benefits may include less acne, acne scarring and wrinkles.

Large facial pores allow more dirt, oil and toxins to enter the skin and cause irritation and infections. Facial toners tighten your facial pores, allowing fewer oils and toxins to settle into the skin. This creates a fresher, cleaner and less oily appearance while preventing acne.

Acne can be painful and unsightly and can lead to facial scarring. It can also cause your skin to appear more oily, dull and and unbalanced. By removing oily build-up, residue and dead skin cells, facial toners assist in reducing the amount of facial blemishes and acne you may already have and work to prevent future breakouts.

Sold! In my reading, I have come across many different natural toners. Some you don’t even have to make, like rose water, though of course, you can if you want to. I do like the idea and the benefits behind rose water but organic rose water is a bit expensive to come by.

This toner uses green tea and apple cider vinegar and I just may include a teaspoon of ACV into my recipe below for the benefits I have read. Since posting this article on my Facebook newsfeed, a couple of my friends have chimed in with the option of witch hazel. So many natural, inexpensive options! The recipe below is the one I’ve chosen for reasons I will share after:

Thyme and Green Tea Toner Recipe

• 4 to 5 good quality green tea
  bags or several heaping teaspoons of green tea leaves
• 1/3 to 1/2 cup of fresh thyme roughly chopped
• 2 cups of mineral or vitamin  water
• small pot

Combine all ingredients in a small pot. Bring the pot to a boil then turn down the heat and let simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let the tea and thyme steep until cool. This will make a rich, highly concentrated green tea and thyme solution.

Squeeze out each tea bag thoroughly over the pot, press the thyme with the back of a spoon to release every bit of the herb, and then strain liquid into a container.

Read the rest of this post here. I like this recipe for more than one reason, it does double duty! Who doesn’t love something that has more than one use? I’ll be using one cup of this as my toner and the other cup is going right over my raw black soap to melt it and make my natural shampoo!

Thyme is good for hair loss and shedding and helps with dandruff and general scalp care. Green tea’s anti-oxidant properties coupled with the tsp of ACV I will be adding to the mix will make for a great clarifying cleanser. That’s my theory anyhow, more on that once it’s been completed and tested.

When I just started this journey, you couldn’t tell me I would have become such a mixtress, I figured I would have instead gone the product junkie route! Who knew?!?!?! Do you tone? Try these natural options! Your skin and pocket will thank you!

Here’s my 4oz bottle that’s currently sitting pretty in my fridge! (Remember these natural recipes have no preservatives so keep in the fridge and try to use up in a couple weeks.)

Did you know that if you’re suffering from acne it might be from food allergies and acid reflux?

Related: The Best Skin Care Products for Your 30s and Beyond