Your skin is the foundation of your beauty routine, and you can’t fake healthy skin. If it’s on your face is dried out, oily, features dark spots and/or is prone to blemishes, you’ve probably been searching for a way to repair it.

Sure, there are creams and serums that you can purchase from a department store or a salon, but the ones that actually provide any benefit usually have excessively high price tags.

Instead of spending a fortune at the cosmetics counter, try making your own skincare products at home. A great one to start you off is this inexpensive and easy to make antioxidant toner.

The Benefits of An Antioxidant Toner

Antioxidant toners provide a number of benefits for your skin. Firstly, it’s worth noting that just like antioxidants protect your organs and flush out free radicals, they do the same for your skin – and since your skin is the largest organ, it only makes sense that you want to keep it protected.

Specifically, antioxidants provide the following benefits for the skin:

• They’re anti-inflammatory – If your skin is prone to puffiness and/ or blemishes, you’ll love the calming effect of antioxidants. There are several antioxidants, such as alpha acid, that can reduce inflammation in the skin, improve the circulation of blood and oxygen and that can boost the metabolism of the cells. As a result, when you use antioxidants on your skin, you’ll notice that there are fewer blemishes, your skin tone will become even and you may even experience a decrease in wrinkles.
• They firm and tone the skin – As you age, your skin loses elasticity. As a result, it can look droopy and wrinkly. Antioxidants have the ability to make your skin appear years younger because they can actually have a tightening effect. You’ll notice that your skin will appear years younger once you start using an antioxidant toner.
• Treatment of scars – Do you have a scar on your face that makes you feel super self conscious? If so, then you’re going to want to give an antioxidant toner a try. Antioxidants can help to enhance the blood flow to scar tissues. As a result, they blend into new skin that your body develops, thus making the scars less visible.
• Reduce damage from the sun – The powerful UV rays of the sun can actually damage your skin’s cells, causing them to become discolored, blotchy, leathery and can increase the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Antioxidants can reverse the damage of UV rays, restoring the youthful look of your skin.

DIY Antioxidant Toner

Making your own antioxidant toner at home is actually quite simple. To make it, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Purified water
• Organic apple cider vinegar
• Organic green tea bags
• (Blue chamomile essential oil is an optional ingredient to add)

To make the toner, all you have to do is place the tea bags in a cup of boiled purified water for at least ½ hour. Once steeped, place one teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar to the water. If you’d like, you can add in a few drops of the chamomile essential oil.

Once your mixture is ready, dab it on your face with organic cotton balls. You’ll instantly feel refreshed.

Sources:
http://www.ourhomemadehappiness.com/2012/08/homemade-facial-toner.html
http://nailartandbeauty.com/2013/04/18/diy-anti-oxidant-packed-green-tea-toner/
http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-facial-skin-toner/