How To Make Homemade Fennel Toner

Remember how I’m on a mission to work on my dark circles? Well, it’s time to try more food on the face! This time it’s fennel. Yep, that weird-looking vegetable that looks like a cross between an onion and a carrot.

Before you think I’m crazy – this recipe comes via Martha Stewart so it must work! Remember Whole Living? Loved that magazine. I felt healthier just reading it. I pulled out this homemade toner recipe ages ago and finally got around to making and trying it out.

Why fennel? Well, it has been used for centuries to soothe upset tummies. But it can also rejuvenate skin and reduce inflammation – perfect for the eye area. And did I mention that fennel reduces puffiness? This stuff is a goldmine! Which is awesome, because I would much rather wear fennel on my face than have to eat it.

Homemade fennel toner

You’ll need:

• 2 raw fennel bulbs, pureed
• Juice of half a lemon
• 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
• Water

Bring the pureed fennel, thyme and enough water to make it liquidy (1/4 to 1/2 cup) to a boil in a saucepan. Note: the original recipe did not call for water. But trying to boil just the pureed fennel end up with a gloppy mess that no way was I putting on my face.

Turn off the heat, add the lemon juice and let it steep for 15 minutes. Strain out solids and transfer to a covered jar and let cool. Apply with a cotton ball under the eyes. Do not rinse. Toner will keep in the fridge for up to 10 days.

Keeping in the fridge also makes sure that it’s extra cooling and depuffing on your under eyes. Another great way to make use of this eyebag banishing toner is to do your own under eye patches with it. Cut some cotton rounds (not balls) in half and soak them with the liquid, then leave them on your undereyes for around ten minutes. Some brands of cotton rounds are made of several ply, so you can peel a few layers off—thinner cotton sticks better to your skin, rather than sliding down your face! 

This homemade toner is awesome for summer, when you want something light and cool on your face. I apply it straight from the fridge (via a cotton ball) and it feels heavenly. Plus it smells pretty great too (if you like licorice), and the soothing smell is supposed to reduce stress and tension. 

If you’re not sure you’ll use it all in 10 days, I like to freeze any extra in an ice cube tray and store in the freezer—I can easily grab a cube and wrap it with a cotton round before gently swiping it under my eyes for instant depuffing and brightening. Never use ice on bare skin (especially on your face!)

Because it has lemon juice, some skin types might find their skin sensitive to the sun afterwards—this is something that I would recommend doing as part of your night time routine. 

What homemade eye brightening tricks have you tried?

Photos by Stephanie Pollard