How to Make Tansy Vinegar for Face and Body Glow

Okay, so we all know and love an apple cider vinegar tonic, right? It’s kind of the OG of natural DIYs—zesty, probiotic-packed, and great for sipping or splashing on your skin. But have you ever tried tansy vinegar?

No? Let me introduce you to your skin’s new best friend.

In this post, I’m going to show you how to make your own tansy vinegar from scratch—perfect for using on your face, body, or even in a DIY acv tonic twist if you're into herbal infusions. It’s totally beginner-friendly, requires minimal ingredients, and feels like magic in a jar.

Ready to glow? Let’s do this.

Wait, What’s Tansy?

First things first. Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is a wildflower that grows like crazy in summer, especially in Europe and parts of North America. It’s that yellow button-looking flower that kinda smells spicy and a little bit camphorous—like something between rosemary and eucalyptus had a baby.

Tansy has a long history in herbal medicine and folk skincare. Traditionally, it’s been used as a natural insect repellent, a skin toner, and even as a wound wash. While it’s not something you want to eat in big doses (more on that later), topically, it’s a total powerhouse.

It’s:

• Astringent (tightens and tones the skin)

• Anti-inflammatory (great for redness or bumps)

• Antibacterial (hello, acne-prone skin)

• Gently exfoliating when infused in vinegar

Why Vinegar?

If you’ve already fallen in love with an apple cider vinegar tonic drink, you know vinegar’s benefits don’t stop at your gut. ACV and other natural vinegars make amazing bases for herbal infusions—like this tonic with apple cider vinegar but made for your skin.

Here’s why vinegar is such a dream for skin care:

• Balances skin’s natural pH

• Acts as a mild exfoliant (thanks, acetic acid!)

• Helps clear buildup, clogged pores, and oil

• Preserves herbs like tansy naturally, without alcohol or synthetic preservatives

So, when we combine the clarifying powers of vinegar with the skin-soothing, toning effects of tansy… chef’s kiss.

Tansy Vinegar vs. Apple Cider Vinegar Tonic

While your usual ACV tonic recipe is something you drink to feel glowy on the inside, tansy vinegar is more of a splash-it-on or spritz-it-up kind of thing. That said—you can technically make a sipping vinegar or facial tonic that combines both. More on that later.

What You’ll Need to Make Tansy Vinegar

Here’s your no-fuss ingredient list:

🌼 Ingredients:

• Fresh tansy flowers and leaves (about 1 loosely packed cup)

• Raw apple cider vinegar (or white wine vinegar if that’s what you’ve got)

• A clean glass jar with a tight lid

• Optional: A few sprigs of rosemary, lavender, or mint for added scent and skin benefits

• A label (trust me, you’ll forget what this is in 2 weeks)

Step-by-Step: How to Make Tansy Vinegar

1. Harvest Your Tansy

Pick tansy flowers and some tender leaves on a dry, sunny day. Avoid plants near roads or treated lawns. Give them a little shake to remove bugs, then let them wilt slightly indoors for a day—this helps reduce moisture, which can cause spoilage.

2. Fill Your Jar

Place the wilted tansy into a clean glass jar. You don’t need to pack it down—just a loose, generous handful is perfect.

3. Add the Vinegar

Pour raw apple cider vinegar over the herbs until they’re fully submerged. Leave about 1 inch of space at the top.

If you're thinking, “Hey, this smells like salad dressing,” that’s totally normal. ACV has a strong scent—but trust the process. Once it's infused, it gets way more herbal and mellow.

4. Seal & Steep

Close the lid tightly. If you're using a metal lid, place parchment or wax paper between the lid and vinegar to avoid rusting. Store your jar in a cool, dark place (like a pantry or kitchen cabinet) for 2 to 4 weeks. Give it a gentle shake every few days.

5. Strain & Store

After 2–4 weeks, strain the vinegar using a mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Pour it into a clean bottle or spray container. Label it with the name and date (because “Mystery Jar #3” is not helpful in a month).

How to Use Tansy Vinegar for Face & Body

✨ As a Facial Toner

Mix 1 part tansy vinegar with 4 parts distilled water (or rose water if you’re fancy). Apply with a cotton pad or spritz lightly after cleansing. It helps tighten pores, reduce oil, and balance skin.

✨ As a Body Splash

Post-shower, dilute a few tablespoons in a cup of water and splash onto arms, legs, or back. Great for summer sweat and preventing breakouts.

✨ As a Scalp Rinse

Tansy is amazing for itchy, oily scalps. Mix 1 part vinegar with 5 parts water and pour it over your scalp after shampooing. Leave on for a minute or two, then rinse.

✨ Bug Repellent Body Mist

Because tansy naturally repels insects, this vinegar infusion is perfect for keeping bugs away without DEET. Just mix 1 part vinegar with 3–4 parts water in a spray bottle and mist arms and legs.

Can You Drink Tansy Vinegar?

Short answer: Not recommended.

Tansy contains compounds (like thujone) that can be toxic if ingested in large quantities or long-term. While tiny doses aren’t likely to cause harm, it’s not worth the risk. Stick to apple cider vinegar tonic drinks for internal use, and keep tansy vinegar as your skincare hero.

Safety Notes

• Patch test first! Tansy is potent. If you have sensitive skin, always try a diluted amount first.

• Avoid during pregnancy (topically or internally)—tansy has traditional associations with uterine stimulation.

• Store in glass only. Vinegar + plastic = bad news.

• Shelf life? Around 6 months, especially if you store it in a cool, dark place.

Bonus Idea: Tansy + Apple Cider Vinegar Glow Tonic

If you want to bring your acv tonic recipe full circle, try this as a gentle skin spritz:

DIY Glow Tonic (External Use Only!)

• 1 tablespoon tansy vinegar

• 2 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar

• 1/2 cup rose water or distilled water

• Optional: 2 drops lavender essential oil

Shake well and spritz on face or body after cleansing. Smells earthy, fresh, and oh-so-natural.

Final Thoughts

Tansy vinegar is the kind of old-school herbal beauty hack that feels like a secret passed down from a wise forest grandmother. It’s simple, effective, and honestly kind of addictive once you start using it.

If you already love your daily apple cider vinegar tonic drink, you’ll appreciate how tansy vinegar brings the same vibe to your skincare—pure, plant-based goodness that actually works.

Give it a try, get a little wildflower witchy with it, and let me know how it goes.