Toners are a skincare must-have. They balance the pH of the skin, shrink the pores, and rejuvenate the skin after cleansing. We mostly buy them from the store, but homemade toners from natural ingredients can be budget-friendly, tailored to your needs, and good for your skin. The UAE is easily accessible to most natural products that you can use as homemade toners. For oily skin, dry skin, or sensitive skin, there are products available that you can buy in the stores and local markets.

1. Rose Water

One of the most widely used natural toners, rose water is also found in most supermarkets and souks in the UAE. It nourishes, calms, and balances the skin without robbing it of its natural moisture. It’s suitable for nearly all skin types, even sensitive skin.

How to Use:

• Soak a cotton pad with rose water and sweep across your face gently after washing.
• You can also place it in a spray bottle and spritz it during the course of the day for hydration.

Tip: Use plain rose water without alcohol or fragrance for best effect.

2. Cucumber Water

Cucumber inherently has a cooling and hydrating effect, so it is best suited for the climate of UAE. Cucumber water soothes irritated skin and gives a cooling feel after having spent the whole day outdoors in the sun.

How to Prepare:

• Grind one recently peeled cucumber and strain the juice.
• Mix half-measures of strained water and store it in a sterilized bottle in the refrigerator for a week.

How to Use:

• Use with a cotton pad or use as a facial spray.

Tip: Store it refrigerated for a further cooling effect in summer.

3. Green Tea Toner

Green tea is full of antioxidants that combat free radicals and soothe the skin. It is particularly well-suited to oily and acne-prone skin. Good-quality green tea is easily available in most UAE supermarkets and specialty tea stores.

How to Make:

• Steep one cup of green tea and cool completely.
• Transfer to a spray bottle and store in the fridge for up to 5–7 days.

How to Use:

• Spray on skin following cleansing or with a cotton pad.

Tip: Use once or twice a day for optimal results.

4. Witch Hazel

Witch hazel contains astringents that tighten pores and regulate sebum production. It’s ideal for oily and combination skin. Alcohol-free witch hazel is available in most UAE pharmacies and beauty supply shops.

How to Use:

• Apply a little on a cotton pad and sweep across your face lightly after washing.

Tip: Opt for an alcohol-free variant to prevent dryness to the skin.

5. Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera is best suited for sensitive and dry skin. It calms redness, deeply nourishes, and creates a thin layer of protection on the skin. Aloe vera is found aplenty in local markets and even in home gardens throughout the UAE.

How to Prepare:

• Take the gel from a raw aloe leaf and mix with filtered water in a 1:1 proportion.
• Strain and refrigerate for up to one week.

How to Apply:

• Apply sparingly with a cotton pad or spray bottle.

Tip: Use fresh aloe and do not add anything.

Comparison of DIY Toners

Ingredient	Best For	Benefits	Shelf Life (Fridge)	Where to Find in UAE
Rose Water	All skin types	Hydrating, soothing, refreshing	Up to 1 month	Supermarkets, souks
Cucumber Water	Sensitive, dry skin	Cooling, calming, hydrating	Up to 1 week	Local markets
Green Tea	Oily, acne-prone skin	Antioxidant-rich, calming, oil control	5–7 days	Grocery stores, tea shops
Witch Hazel	Oily, combination skin	Tightens pores, reduces oil	1–2 months	Pharmacies, beauty stores
Aloe Vera	Dry, sensitive skin	Soothing, hydrating, gentle	Up to 1 week	Local markets, gardens

Storage and Safety Tips

• Store DIY toners in clean, sterilized bottles to avoid the growth of bacteria.
• Store them in the fridge to keep them fresh for a longer period of time.
• Discard any toner that changes the color or odor.
• Patch test new ingredients in order to prevent skin inflammation.

FAQs on UAE DIY Toners

1. How long are DIY toners good for?

The average DIY toner is good for one week to one month depending on the ingredients and conditions. Refrigerate them to keep them fresh.

2. Can I combine different ingredients together?

Yes, but do not complicate it. Begin with one or two ingredients so as not to irritate the skin, and apply the blend to a small section of skin first.

3. Are homemade toners suitable for sensitive skin?

Natural ingredients such as rose water, cucumber, and aloe vera are fine for sensitive skin. But always patch test it before putting it on your whole face.

4. Do homemade toners completely replace store-bought toners?

Homemade toners are a part of your daily routine, but in the case of certain problems such as acne or pigmentation, store-bought formulas containing active ingredients can provide an additional benefit.

Conclusion

Ensuing homemade toners from nature are simple to prepare, inexpensive, and invigorating, particularly in the hot UAE climate. Rose water, cucumber, green tea, witch hazel, and aloe vera are readily available ingredients that can be utilized for any skin type. With home-made toner for face, you are the controller of what you put on your skin and can adjust as you need to.