In this article you will learn how you can make diy AHA toner at home using natural ingredients. This article includes 5 easy recipes to make homemade AHA toner using very simple ingredients.
These days AHAs ( Alpha-Hydroxy Acids ) are growing their popularity in the beauty world. You will find many products in the market that has AHAs like toner, serum, lotion, scrub etc.
Most of these products have AHAs synthetically produced in labs. People with sensitive skin have to think many times before buying them. Also some times these products can make your skin dry, flaky and itchy.
So before starting the recipe. Let’s gain some knowledge about AHA.
WHAT ARE AHAs ( Alpha-Hydroxy Acids ) ?

AHAs or Alpha-hydroxy acids are a group of acids naturally found in fruits, plants and animals. These are used for skin care in the beauty world, because they help to exfoliate your skin and make your skin smooth and glowing.
As AHAs has exfoliating properties they help to remove the top layer of your skin which mainly has dead skin cells. This in turn make the new skin cells visible that was hidden under the dead skin cells. That is the reason why your skin looks soft, bright and glowing after exfoliation.
Following are the main types of AHAs :
- Glycolic acid
- Citric acid
- Malic acid
- Tartaric acid
- Lactic acid
TYPES OF SKIN EXFOLIATION :
There are 2 types of exfoliation physical exfoliation and chemical exfoliation or peeling. When you use scrubs or any grainy product that you rub on your skin to remove dead skin cells is know as physical exfoliation.
Chemical exfoliation or peeling is when you apply fruit, plant or food acids on your skin to remove dead skin cells and this makes new skin cells visible.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING AHAs For SKIN :

- AHAs helps to exfoliate your skin, remove impurities, dirt and dead skin cells
- Brings out the new skin cells and make your skin look bright and glowing
- Helps to reduce acne and pimples by removing excess oil
- Regular use can also help to reduce hyperpigmentation
- Helps to boost collagen production, which helps to make your skin firm ( Btw, You can also check out my homemade vegan collagen powder recipe )
- Hydrates your skin and prevent your skin from drying etc.
So, If you are a natural beauty lover like me you don’t need to buy synthetically produced AHAs products. Simply because our nature has given us everything.
We will use very simple and natural ingredients that has these acids. All these AHAs are naturally present in many fruits, plants and some other foods.
These AHAs toner are made from the ingredient which are rich source of these acids. So let’s start the recipes.
DIY NATURAL GLYCOLIC ACID TONER :

Glycolic acid is a widely used AHA. It is naturally found in sugarcane, sugar beets, pineapple, papaya, unripe grapes, jaggery etc.
Glycolic acid helps to gently exfoliate your skin, even out skin tone, tighten skin pores, reduces pigmentation, acne and blemishes.
It is present in it’s natural form mainly in sugarcane juice. So for this homemade glycolic acid toner you can simply apply sugar cane juice as a toner if you want.
But for this recipe I used jaggery, as it made from concentrated sugarcane juice. Simply because it may not be possible to take out sugarcane juice everyday. Also there are many other benefits of using jaggery for skin.
Let’s see the recipe to make your diy glycolic acid toner at home
INGREDIENTS :
- Unrefined organic Jaggery – 50 grams
- Water – 1 glass
DIRECTIONS :
- In a sauce pan add a glass of water and keep it on medium heat
- Then add crushed jaggery in the water and cover with the lid
- Let the water boil on medium heat until it remains half in quantity
- Then you can cool it down at room temperature
- Transfer it in a clean bottle, you can also add some rose water to it if you want
Your homemade natural glycolic acid toner is ready .
DIY NATURAL CITRIC ACID TONER :

Citric acid is naturally present in citrus fruits like lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit and berries etc. It is also a commonly used AHA in skin care products.
It helps to exfoliate your skin, removes dead skin cells, reduces dark spots and makes your skin clear and bright. As citrus fruits contain vitamin c, so it also helps to fight with free radicals and reduces wrinkles and fine lines.
So, check out this easy recipe to make homemade natural citric acid toner
INGREDIENTS :
- Orange peels
- Lemon peels
- Lime peels
DIRECTIONS :
- For making this toner, you need to use the double boiling method
- Place a large utensil on medium heat add some water and then let it boil
- Wash and dry the peels then add the peels in a heat safe bowl
- pour water over the peels
- Keep the bowl in boiling water ( You can keep a stand in the large utensil and then place the bowl on the stand )
- Cover it with the lid and let the nutrients infuse on low heat for about 15-20 minutes
- Then strain and let it cool
- Transfer the toner to a clean bottle
Your natural diy citric acid toner is ready.
DIY NATURAL MALIC ACID TONER :

Malic acid is present in apples in abundance though there are some other fruits that has malic acid like bananas, oranges, strawberries, grapes etc.
It is a very commonly used AHA in anti aging skin care products. It helps to improve skin texture, balances skin’s pH level, reduces fine lines, wrinkles, clean your skin pores and removes dead skin cells.
Malic acid also act as a humectant ( substance that retains moisture ) which helps to lock in moisture and keeps your skin hydrated.
As apples are the richest source of malic acid, this homemade malic acid toner is made from apple, see the recipe
INGREDIENTS :
- Apple – 1
- Rose water
DIRECTIONS :
- Wash and peel the apple
- Grate the apple and squeeze out it’s juice
- Add the apple juice in the bottle
- Fill the rest of the bottle with rose water
Your homemade natural malic acid toner is ready.
DIY NATURAL TARTARIC ACID TONER :

Tartaric acid is naturally present in some plants and fruits like dandelions, sugar beets, grapes, peaches, avocadoes, tamarind, mangoes etc.
Like other AHAs tartaric acid also helps to exfoliate your skin, improves skin texture, treat dull skin, balances your skin’s pH level etc.
Tartaric acid also has antioxidant properties which helps to fight with free radicals, reduces fine lines, wrinkles and make your skin firm.
For making this homemade tartaric acid toner, we will use tamarind. It has it’s own benefits and tartaric acid is the main acid found in tamarind.
INGREDIENTS :
- Tamarind pulp
- Rose water
DIRECTIONS :
- Remove the seeds from tamarind pulp
- In a sauce pan add 200 ml water and keep it on medium heat
- Add tamarind pulp and let it boil until it remains half in quantity
- Make sure to cover it with the lid while boiling
- Remove and let it cool at room temperature
- Fill the bottle with the tamarind water and add some rose water
- Then shake it to mix everything
Your diy natural tartaric acid toner is ready.
DIY NATURAL LACTIC ACID TONER :

Lactic acid is also one of the gentle AHA, It is found in fermented foods and fruits like soy milk, tofu, yogurt, kimchi, cherries, kiwi etc.
It is a widely used AHA in many skin care products to treat skin issues like eczema, rosacea etc.
Lactic acid helps to gently exfoliate skin, removes dead skin cells, boost collagen, moisturizes your skin, prevents dryness, makes your skin bright and glowing.
For making this homemade lactic acid toner you need a very simple ingredient which is a very good source of lactic acid. Check out this recipe
INGREDIENTS :
- Yogurt
- Water
DIRECTIONS :
- Take 3 tbsp yogurt in a bowl
- Add some water to make buttermilk
- Pour it in a clean bottle
Your homemade natural lactic acid toner is ready.
FINAL THOUGHTS :
These homemade natural AHAs toners are so easy to make and works very effectively. Helps to make your skin clear and glowing.
So, to get chemical peeling treatment at home you don’t need to buy expensive chemical based products.