tea tree toner......

I am always looking for a good toner that is not all alcohol and will not dry up my face. Then I got an email today from "the well daily" and it was about tea tree oil. I used to use tea tree oil back in collage and I guess just forgot about it.

Benefits post from the well daily:

We can't get enough of this medicine cabinet in a bottle! Tea tree oil, originally from Australia, activates the renewal, rejuvenation and refining of the skins outer most layers. It not only tightens pores, but also clarifies and cleanses excess dirt and impurities from the skin. Say good-bye to acne and hello to the gorgeous glow.

• Get it Right by Keeping it Tight: Tea tree oil can tighten pores and reduce inflammation. This will diminish the appearance of any flare-ups by drying out and minimizing acne blemishes.
• Triple A's: Tea tree oil is anti fungal, antiviral, and antibacterial! Bacteria and viruses love to create monster pimples or groups of them (the ones that can be felt before seen, ouch!). Stop the potential spread of these nasty microbial agents with a simple swipe of tea tree oil solution. 
• Au Natural: Tea tree oil makes for a safe solution to getting flawless skin. The natural oil blend has fewer side effects and penetrates and absorbs quickly into each layer of skin. This no-nonsense beauty product is safe for even the most sensitive of skins and can even be used during pregnancy!  
• Aromatherapy to Boot: Not only will you have clear skin, but also you will benefit from the strong smell that tea tree oil totes. It’s invigorating and refreshing, the perfect morning boost to get you through the warm summer months

After reading this email I did some research on different toner recipes and discovered this one. I LOVED how she explained all the reasons for and benefits of each ingredient. 

recipe link 

"I wanted my toner to be an exfoliant, as well as having antibacterial and antioxidant properties.  To add exfoliating properties, I added aspirin which is salicylic acid and is a chemical exfoliant (for more information, see my last post on the aspirin honey mask where I discuss the properties of salicylic acid).  I wanted the toner to be antibacterial because some acne can be caused by bacterial.  So, I added some tea tree oil, a natural antibacterial agent.  Studies have shown that a 5% solution of tea tree oil is just as effective as a 5% solution of benzoyl peroxide when treating acne.  Tea tree oil is another one of those things that has a distinctive smell, but I really like it.  It smells kind of like pine trees.  Lastly, I wanted the toner to have antioxidants, so I used really strongly steeped green tea to dilute the apple cider vinegar and other ingredients."


Here's what you need to get started:

Apple Cider Vinegar Toner Recipe
makes 8 ounces of toner, which should last for 2 months
ingredients:::::
1/2 cup of unfiltered apple cider vinegar (I used Bragg's, but any would work)
1/2 cup of strongly brewed green tea
3 uncoated aspirin
10 drops of tea tree oil (use only 100% tea tree oil)
funnel (for pouring in your toner)
1 coffee filter 
bottle for storing your toner

method::::
Brew - your green tea in hot water.  While it's brewing, place a coffee filter in a mug and pour in your apple cider vinegar and aspirin.  Let the aspirin dissolve for 5 minutes, then pull out the coffee filter.  This will make it so that your toner doesn't have the shells of dissolved aspirin floating around, but the salicylic acid is still in the vinegar.  Use a funnel to pour all the ingredients into your bottle.  Add your tea tree oil.  

To use your homemade toner, apply it to a cotton ball after thoroughly cleansing your skin.  Wipe the toner across your skin, and wait for that stink the subside!!!  It passes quickly, just hang in there!!!

Im off to make my own**