Are you struggling with skin blemishes, acne, oily skin or large pores, and are looking for a natural solution to your problem? Search no further! This insanely easy DIY apple cider vinegar face wash & toner is your answer.
Using apple cider vinegar (ACV) in your daily skincare routine, as a face cleanser or facial toner, can be a simple, affordable, and effective way to support healthy skin the natural way—no need for harsh chemicals!
In this post, we’ll explore the many benefits of apple cider vinegar, which skin types benefit the most and which ones may need to be careful, and we’ll go over the different options for how to make and use your DIY ACV toner and facial cleanser.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Benefits
Apple cider vinegar has many beneficial and surprising uses in skincare. It’s probably one of the most cost-effective ingredients we have, it’s easily accessible for everyone (you can get it in your grocery shop!) and it…
- Gently exfoliates dead skin cells
- Balances pH and regulates excess oils
- Fights acne-causing bacteria
- Soothes various skin problems
- Suitable for most skin types
- A natural alternative to harsh chemicals
1. Gently exfoliates dead skin cells
Apple Cider Vinegar contains malic acid, a gentle alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA)[1], that helps to remove dead skin cells and gently exfoliate the skin for a brighter and smoother complexion.
Regular exfoliation can minimise the appearance of pores and improve the overall health and texture of your skin without causing irritation. Most AHAs can be fairly aggressive and disturb the delicate barrier of the skin—malic acid, however, is on the gentler side!
2. Balances pH and regulates excess oils
Thanks to its acetic acid content, apple cider vinegar helps restore your skin’s natural pH balance, meaning it prevents dryness or the overproduction of sebum (the skin’s natural oils). The reduction of excess oils is especially helpful for oily skin, acne-prone skin, and combination skin.
3. Fights acne-causing bacteria
One of the most amazing benefits of ACV is its antibacterial properties. These help eliminate acne-causing bacteria, reduce breakouts, and calm angry, active pimples. It’s also great for addressing lingering skin blemishes and promoting clearer skin over time.
4. Soothes various skin problems
Even though it’s acidic, the natural compounds of apple cider vinegar have a soothing effect, supporting healing and reducing inflammation. Whether you’re dealing with redness, uneven tone or irritated skin, it’s a gentle option for many skin concerns, when diluted properly (see ‘instructions’).
5. Suitable for most skin types
Generally, when diluted, apple cider vinegar is safe to use for all skin types, including sensitive skin and dry skin. However, as always, I recommend doing a patch test before using this DIY face cleanser or toner on your skin to avoid skin irritations.
As mentioned above, especially acne-prone, oily and combination skin benefit from this natural ingredient the most.
6. A natural alternative to harsh chemicals
Many store-bought face cleansers and toners contain harmful chemicals, preservatives and synthetic ingredients that are more damaging than anything to your skin—and to your whole body.
This DIY apple cider vinegar face wash & toner offers a simple, affordable, effective and natural alternative that promotes, rather than disrupts, the skin’s delicate balance.
Ingredients
- raw apple cider vinegar
- water
optional ingredients
- essential oils (such as tea tree oil)
- raw honey
- rose water
- witch hazel
(see recipe card for quantities)
Here’s the thing: you can keep both your DIY toner and facial wash as simple as using diluted apple cider vinegar only (this is the option I prefer), and you absolutely don’t have to fuss over anything else.
But I know, some people like to make their DIY beauty products fancier, or feel the need to add more ingredients—which is fine. This is totally up to you.
Let me break them down for you, so can make your own decision:
Apple Cider vinegar: Make sure to use raw, and ideally organic, apple cider vinegar that still contains “the mother” for best results. A filtered or processed vinegar may have lost the beneficial bacteria and enzymes.
Essential Oils: You can add lavender or tea tree oil if struggling with acne or breakouts. These oils may be applied without a carrier oil. I wouldn’t use any other essential oil—they’re better in a serum (like this DIY serum for glowing skin) and applied to your clear skin afterwards.
Raw Honey: Its antibacterial and healing properties are ideal for blemished, acne-prone and irritated skin. Honey adds that extra hydration (great for dry skin) and makes a great addition to your DIY Apple cider vinegar face wash (not for toner).
Rose Water: For your toner, this ingredient adds an amazing scent, hydrates the skin and calms sensitive skin.
Witch Hazel: It’s a great ingredient, very similar to ACV, for your toner (not for face wash) that soothes inflammation, fights acne, keeps your skin barrier healthy and tightens pores.
Instructions
Recommended Dilution Ratios
The dilution ratio will depend on your skin type and sensitivity (again, very important to do a patch test here and see what your skin feels like afterwards).
💡 Tip: You can always readjust the ratio to your needs. If you feel like your skin is drying out after a couple of uses, dilute your face wash or toner with more water.
💜 Note: For a face wash, you can go slightly stronger than the ratios recommended below because we’re washing it off immediately. For a toner, it’s best to stick to the gentler options since it stays on the skin.
Normal to Oily or Acne-prone Skin
- Ratio: 1 part ACV with 2 parts water
- e.g., 1 tablespoon of ACV mixed with 2 tablespoons of water.
- This strength helps balance oils and fight acne-causing bacteria without drying out the skin
Dry or Sensitive Skin
- Ratio: 1 part ACV with 4 parts water (or more)
- e.g., 1 tbsp ACV + 4 tbsp water
- This mix is a lot gentler while still offering exfoliation and pH balancing.
Combination Skin
- Ratio: 1 part ACV with 3 parts water
- e.g., 1 tbsp ACV + 3 tbsp water
- You can also spot treat oily areas with a stronger dilution and use the gentler ratio for everywhere else.
How to Use as Face Wash
Step 1. Add water and apple cider vinegar (plus honey or tea tree essential oil, if you like) to a small glass bottle or jar. Give it a good shake to mix.
Step 2. Wet your face with warm water. Dip a clean cotton pad, cotton ball or reusable cloth pad into the mixture and gently massage onto your skin in circular motions. Make sure to avoid the eye area!
Step 3. Rinse off thoroughly with warm water and pat your face dry with a towel. Follow up with a moisturiser (like this DIY aloe vera moisturiser or this moisturising serum for acne-prone skin). Don’t use it more than twice a day, and no more than once a day for sensitive and dry skin.
How to Use as Face Toner
Step 1. Add water and apple cider vinegar (plus witch hazel, rose water, tea tree or lavender essential oil, if you like) to a small spray bottle or a jar. Give it a good shake to mix.
Step 2. After cleansing your face (use any cleanser, like this DIY coconut oil cleanser), apply your toner. Dip a clean cotton pad into the mixture (or spritz with the mixture) and swipe over your face.
💜 Note: Some people like misting their face with this DIY apple cider vinegar toner, using a spray bottle; however, I don’t recommend it! If the vinegar gets into your eyes, it’s going to sting!
Step 3. Let it air dry or gently pat with your clean fingers. Follow up with your moisturiser or serum. Use once daily, preferably at night—can be used up to twice a day, if tolerated. For dry and sensitive skin: start with 2-3 times per week and go from there.
Spot Treatment. You can also use this toner for spot treatment only. Simply apply the mix as described above to affected areas (such as blemishes, T-zone, or acne areas).
Storage
Store your DIY apple cider vinegar face wash & toner in the fridge for up to a week. Always make sure to make small amounts.
Warnings & Safety
As with all my recipes, I always recommend doing a patch test prior to use to avoid skin irritations. Check out my DIY Skincare Guide, where I explain how it’s done.
If you notice stinging, redness, or peeling, dilute your face wash or toner further, or use it less frequently.
Always use apple cider vinegar diluted and never at full strength, as it can burn or irritate the skin. Avoid using ACV-based products after exfoliating scrubs or retinol.
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
Face Wash with ACV
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar raw, unfiltered, with the mother
- 2-4 tbsp water see notes
- 1 tsp raw honey optional
- 2 drops tea tree essential oil optional
Toner with ACV
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar raw, unfiltered, with the mother
- 2-4 tbsp water see notes, or use rose water
- 1 tsp witch hazel optional
- 2 drops lavender essential oil or tea tree oil, optional
Instructions
How to Use as Face Wash
- Add water and apple cider vinegar (optional ingredients, if you like) to a small glass bottle or jar. Give it a good shake to mix.
- Wet your face with warm water. Dip a clean cotton pad, cotton ball or reusable cloth pad into the mixture and gently massage onto your skin in circular motions. Make sure to avoid the eye area!
- Rinse off thoroughly with warm water and pat your face dry with a towel. Follow up with a moisturiser.Don’t use it more than twice a day, and no more than once a day for sensitive and dry skin.
How to Use as Face Toner
- Add water and apple cider vinegar (plus optional ingredients, if you like) to a small bottle or a jar. Give it a good shake to mix.
- After cleansing your face (use any cleanser), apply your toner. Dip a clean cotton pad into the mixture and swipe over your face.
- Let it air dry or gently pat with your clean fingers. Follow up with your moisturiser or serum.Use once daily, preferably at night—can be used up to twice a day, if tolerated. For dry and sensitive skin: start with 2-3 times per week and go from there.
Spot Treatment
- You can also use this toner for spot treatment only. Simply apply the mix as described above to affected areas (such as blemishes, T-zone, or acne areas).
Notes
- Normal to Oily or Acne-prone Skin: 1 part ACV with 2 parts water
- Dry or Sensitive Skin: 1 part ACV with 4 parts water (or more)
- Combination Skin: 1 part ACV with 3 parts water
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