Looking for a face toner that’s natural but inexpensive? Make your own rose water toner made with simple ingredients. This toner helps to balance the skin’s natural pH, soothes redness and irritation, and even helps to reduce pore size. It’s great for all skin types, especially normal to oily skin. I’ll share 2 ways to make it.

jar of rose water toner with rose petals

What is Rose Water?

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Rose water is exactly as it sounds – roses and water. However, although it sounds super simple many store-bought versions are loaded with chemicals that can cause your skin more harm than good.

Here’s an example of a popular brand of rosewater:

Aqua (Water, Eau), Propylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Rosa Canina Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Leaf Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus (Bladderwrack) Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Parfum (Fragrance), Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Citronellol, Geraniol, CI 17200 (Red 33), CI 42090 (Blue 1)

Do you see artificial colors, phenoxyethanol (a preservative that’s been on the restricted use list in Europe and Japan), artificial fragrance (which can contain hundreds of chemicals), and a laundry list of other ingredients that are hard to pronounce?

Ideally, rose water is created by simply steaming or steeping the rose petals in water. This creates a liquid that has not only anti-inflammatory properties but also anti-bacterial which is perfect for skin. This is why rose water is such a versatile ingredient in skincare as it can be added to lotions, bubble bath or in this case used as a toner.

Rose Water Toner Benefits

Helps to balance the pH of skin
Helps to soothe irritated skin
Helps to reduce pore size and oily residue on skin
Helps to reduce redness thanks to anti-inflammatory properties

glass jar with dark red toner and rose petals

About the Ingredients

Many rose water recipes are simply roses and water. This recipe is a bit different as I’m shortcutting the process. Rather than first make the rosewater and then the toner with the rosewater, we’re going to do it all in one easy recipe. I will have an option in the recipe notes to make a simple rosewater if you prefer that.

Rose Petals

You can use fresh or dried rose petals to make this rose toner, however, it is essential they are organic and grown without the use of pesticides or herbicides. Alongside the benefits mentioned above, rose petals contain vitamin C which helps restore the skin’s radiance and soothe irritation making them an ideal ingredient for skincare.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a natural astringent derived from the witch hazel plant. This means when used in skincare, it helps to naturally cleanse and soothe while controlling oil production of the skin. It is also used as a natural way of tightening pores, which leaves skin looking smoother. Note, it can cause irritation for those with very sensitive skin.

Rose or Geranium Essential Oil

Did you know it takes 22 pounds of rose petals to produce one 5 ml bottle of Rose essential oil? The addition of either rose or geranium essential oil to this rose water toner not only heightens the fragrance but helps promote a youthful complexion. This is because both rose and geranium essential oils help to reduce the appearance of redness and have the ability to help protect the surface of the skin.

How to Make Rosewater Toner – Simple Method

With this method, you bypass making the rosewater with water. You simply just steep rose petals with witch hazel for 2 weeks. Then you can use it as a toner on the skin.

Add 1 cup rose petals to a pint mason jar.
Pour 6 oz witch hazel into mason jar. Make sure that your witch hazel completely covers your rose petals.
Close the lid on your jar. Give your jar a good shake so that the petals are fully immersed.
Allow your mixture to sit for 2 weeks in a dark, room temperature room. Shake occasionally (such as once a day, or every couple of days). After 2 weeks, remove and discard the petals.
Add 2 drops of rose or geranium essential oil.

How to Make Rosewater Toner – Quick Method

If you want to be able to use your rosewater toner right away, you might opt for this quick method.

Boil 1 cup of roses and 1.5 cups of water in a saucepan.
Reduce to a simmer and let sit in the saucepan for about 45 minutes.
Let it cool, then strain the roses from the rosewater. You now have a simple rosewater to use alone or in other skincare recipes.
You could then take 1/2 cup of the rosewater + 1/2 cup of witch hazel + 2 drops of rose or geranium essential oil to make the rosewater toner.

How to Use Rose Water Toner

To use, spray the rose water toner onto a cotton pad and sweep it over the face. For best results, I recommend switching to a complete natural skincare routine. Start with this homemade natural facial cleanser, followed by the rose water toner, and then a moisturizing face serum for youthful, glowing skin.

Switching to non-toxic make up? Add this toner to your makeup kit because you can also use it as a makeup setter or face refresher. A couple of sprays over your face will add a dewy glow as well as provide the perfect pick me up.

How to Store

You can keep your rose toner in your mason jar or transfer to a glass spray bottle (that’s what I do). It is best to store in the refrigerator not only because it lasts longer (around one month) but because it’s extra refreshing on the skin when applied cold and heightens the anti-inflammatory properties.

Want More DIY Recipes?

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Learn simple techniques to make your own skincare – without the fuss of complicated recipes or hard-to-find ingredients
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Take a peek at what’s inside Natural Beauty Made Simple.

How to Get Started With Essential Oils

Sign up for my FREE essential oil email course in order to learn the basics.
Check out my FREE masterclass all about essential oils and this beginner’s guide to essential oils.
Get my essential oils online course – complete with video tutorials, e-book and everything you need to get started with essential oils.
Find out how to buy essential oils at wholesale, and get a starter kit for 60% off retail prices. It’s the best deal around and a great way to get started with essential oils. Plus lots of freebies just for you.

More DIY Beauty Recipes

Did you try this rose water toner? Don’t forget to rate it and comment below to let me know how it went. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.