TEA TONER- CHEAP, EASY , AND EFFECTIVE

I have  been on a  serious homemade kick. I have been finding that many homemade or "half- homemade" products work better and are far, far cheaper than commercial products ever could be. My newest venture is my tea toner, which has quickly become a must have or me.   This is such an easy recipe and so easy to customize to your needs its not even funny and its so dirt cheap I could cry!

  Take 2-4 teabags and 1/2 cup water. I usually use a mix of tea, 1 regualar (black) tea bag, 2 green tea bags and 1 herbal/fruit tea bag. I only use this mix because that is what I have in my pantry and I like it. Feel free to use whatever you have, its not rocket science, and teas (black, white, or green) all contain the same basic beneficial anti-aging, antioxident ingredients.


   I don't buy expensive tea. My regular tea bags are .99 cents for a box of 100 and my green tea is .99 cents for a box of 75 . I did splurge on the herbal tea (Its Lipton blackberry vanilla) and it was a few bucks for only 20 bags.   

   If you only have black tea use 2 bags, only green tea use 4, and herbal tea should always be used along with the black and green tea because alot of herbal teas have no real tea in them- just herbs.  Be careful if using herbal tea blends. I do not use any herbal teas  that contains mint, lemon, or orange (not orange pekoe thats a type of black tea that most regular teas are made of) , as those ingredients can be irritating to skin. Some of you may not have a problem and prefer those teas better so just be careful. I love mint tea but don't want mint on my face. All natural doesn't always mean non-irritating. Also if you are allergic to any certain herb obviously do not any tea that contains them either.


 To make your toner simply boil the half a cup of water, add the teabags, turn off the stove and let the tea steep for at least a half and hour. I often add a teaspoon of dried rosemary to my tea (for more antioxident benefits plus I like the scent) and when I do that I cover the pan and let it steep for about an hour. 

 After steeping transfer your toner to whatever container you prefer. I have a little antique glass bottle with a stopper that I use.   This is your basic toner, which you should probably keep in the fridge. I have very oily skin so I add in a few more ingredients and I donot need refrigerate mine. It lasts me about 2 weeks. Use it twice a day after cleansing.

 Add ins-  these really are helpful for combo to oily skin but dry or overly sensitive skin may do better without these or adjust the amount to your liking


 -Put 10 uncoated aspirin , for the salicylic acid benefits, (you can get a bottle of 100 for $1 at the Dollar Tree) in your container before pouring in your warm tea. Shake well before evey use. Will be gritty but that also provides exfoliation.


-Add one teaspoon of vinegar or witch hazel to your tea after its cooled.  Both vinegar and witch hazel can be drying to skin but I think they help my oily skin  more than hinder it and its such a little amount I have had no problems with dryness.


I add a drop or two of laveneder essential oil to my toner for scent,  I adore the blended scent of rosemary, tea and lavender. Again if you use essential oils only literally use a drop or two. Too much essential oil can also cause skin irritation.


Have fun, try it and experiment with your own mix!