Simple DIY recipes for your skin

Unlike store-bought, commercial beauty aids, homemade cosmetics take a little time and trouble to prepare and most of them will generally spoil more quickly. The following recipes are for easy-to-make, basic preparations containing commonly available, inexpensive ingredients.

• Purée a cucumber, strain off the pulp and splash the liquid on your face; cut a strawberry in half and rub the cut pieces over your face; mash a number of fresh strawberries and apply to the face.Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse off.
• For puffy eyes, place cucumber slices over closed eyelids and relax for at least 15 minutes; place damp, cooled tea bags over the closed eyelids and leave in place for 15 minutes

• Mix an egg with 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) of cider vinegar in a blender.
• Add 60 millilitres (four tablespoons) of cold-pressed oil, five millilitres (one teaspoon) at a time, until the mixture emulsifies into a mayonnaise.
• Apply this to your face and leave on for at least 15 minutes.
• Add some fresh cream if your skin is very dry.

• Pour boiling water on two or three chamomile tea bags or about 10 millilitres (two teaspoons) of dried chamomile in a ceramic bowl. Place your face over the bowl and cover with a towel.
• Use five millilitres (one teaspoon) of dried rosemary or dried sage. Follow this with a gentle scrubbing face pack made from a double quantity of yogurt and honey all-purpose cleanser to which 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) of oatmeal and 15 millilitres (one tablespoon)of sage or rosemary herbal water has been added.
• Make the herbal water by soaking five millilitres (one teaspoon) of dried sage or rosemary (15millilitres/one tablespoonof fresh herbs) in 50 millilitres (1/4 cup) of boiling water for an hour. Apply the mixture to your face, massaging over the forehead, nose and chin. Leave the pack on the face for 10 minutes, then rinse off. Tone and moisturize as usual.

• Smooth and moisturize the skin by mixing 125 millilitres (1/2 cup) of cold-pressed vegetable oil with an equal quantity of liquid glycerine and adding 15 to 30 millilitres (one to two tablespoons) of rosewater.
• Add 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) of this to the bath or rub it into your skin after showering.
• You may wish to add other scented oils, available from health food stores and aromatherapists, to createthe fragrance you desire.

• Always test before use: Any skin preparation can cause an allergic reaction in certain individuals. Always test a ­little on your skin and do not use again if irritation occurs.
• Always wash the produce: As natural produce may be treated with pesticides, it is always advisable to wash fruit, vegetables and herbs before eating them or using them to make skin treatments. If ­possible, choose organically grown produce.

DIY beauty products are incredibly beneficial.You save money, you are free to experiment with different ingredients to find ones that suit you best, and you know that the ingredients used are fresh and natural. Many traditional, effective treatments can be prepared in the kitchen from ingredients that can be grown in your own garden. Consider these recipes and get started today!