Pumpkin & Rosemary Facial Toner

Facial toners are deeply cleansing, helping to remove environmental toxins, dirt, and make up that has built up on the skin. They also tighten the pores, so that skin looks smoother. But, at $10-$30 a bottle they can seem like too much of a luxury to use regularly. 

Fortunately, making your own facial toners is quite simple and is a fraction of the cost of buying a bottle from popular cosmetic brands. They are easily made with basic ingredients you find at the local grocery store and farmer’s market.

Handmade facial toners also make lovely gifts. With the holidays coming up, you might just want to whip up an extra bottle or two to give to friends and family. 

This festive toner is a fresh take on a fall favorite —pumpkin. It’s made with just a few simple ingredients and leaves skin feeling smooth and refreshed. 

Pumpkin is a classic autumn squash that also lends itself beautifully to skin care applications. This toner combines pumpkin and rosemary for a revitalizing facial spray that promotes healthy, glowing skin. 

Pumpkin is a source of vitamins & minerals and is very nourishing. It is rich in rejuvenating antioxidants that boost overall skin health and also has anti-inflammatory effects (Yadav et al.). 

Rosemary is cleansing due to anti-bacterial properties and may be helpful for acne. It can reduce puffiness and inflammation in skin and is an excellent source of antioxidants (González-Minero et al.).

Olive oil is rich in healthy fat, nutrients, and antioxidants. It is cherished for its ability to moisturize, hydrate, and soothe skin. 

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Pumpkin & Rosemary Facial Toner

Materials

• 1/4 cup fresh pumpkin, diced
• 1 Tbsp rosemary, dried
• 1/2 cup vodka
• 1 tsp olive oil

Instructions

• Add the pumpkin and rosemary to a glass jar and pour the vodka over top. Everything should be completely submerged in liquid. If not, add a little more vodka.
• Cap tightly and let steep for 2-4 weeks, shaking every day or so.
• Strain the liquid into a glass measuring cup using a cheesecloth.
• Add the oil and stir the mixture. Then pour the toner into a spray bottle.

Notes

This toner works best for daily use for those with normal to oily skin. Those with very dry, or damaged skin will want to use them more sparingly, as the alcohol in these toners may be drying and irritating to sensitive skin.

To use: Shake well before each use. Spritz onto face and gently rub onto skin with your fingers, a cloth, or a cotton ball. Finish with your favorite moisturizer.

References

González-Minero, Francisco José, et al. “Rosmarinus Officinalis L. (Rosemary): An Ancient Plant with Uses in Personal Healthcare and Cosmetics.” Cosmetics, vol. 7, no. 4, 2020, p. 77., https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics7040077. 

Yadav, Mukesh, et al. “Medicinal and Biological Potential of Pumpkin: An Updated Review.” Nutrition Research Reviews, vol. 23, no. 2, 2010, pp. 184–190., https://doi.org/10.1017/s0954422410000107.