You don’t necessarily need expensive products to make your skin look great but there are several things available in your kitchen which can perk up your dermis in no time. So tryout these homemade recipes sans preservatives that are capable of replacing your cleansers, toners and astringents, moisturizers etc. These jars of goodness must be refrigerated and not kept for more than a week. Therefore make them in small quantities and store them in china stainless steel containers with screw top jars so that the ingredients do no setoff chemical reactions that can harm your skin. One more thing one must be kept in mind that not all herbs work on everyone and many have to be used over a period of time to yield favorable results.
For Cleansing

Almond oil is a fine cleanser especially ’effective in protecting the delicate skin under the eyes. For normal to oily skin, mix together a cupful of yogurt, one tea- spoon of orange juice, and the juice of one lemon. Apply with fingertips on your face. Leave it on for a few minutes then wipe away with a wet tissue. Splash your skin with cold water then pat dry gently. For dry skin, make a paste of cooked oatmeal and mix with honey. Apply on the face as a scrub then rinse off with warm water.

FACE FRESHNERS AND ASTRINGENTS

To tone your skin, stroke half a slice of cucumber over the face in fairly firm circular motions. Allow to dry naturally and rinse. Add one teaspoon of mint leaves of mint leaves to a cup of boiling water. Let seep for half an hour, strain and bottle when cool. Use after cleansing.

MOISTURISERS

Wash eight lettuce leaves well. Boil about half a liter of water. Cool and strain through a muslin cloth. Store the solution and apply solution with cotton wool pads using light, upward movements. Leave on for three minutes before wiping it off. Mix equal parts of rosewater, glycerin and lemon juice and apply to the face.
FOR SKIN BLEMISHES

• Rub a raw potato slice on the skin for skin blemishes.

• Remove white patches with the help of ’tulsi’ juice.

• Pure castor oil is a great skin softener and an anti wrinkle cream. Massage onto face and watch your face glow.

FACE MASKS

The traditional egg mask makes use of an egg white, beaten stiff with the optional addition of one tablespoon of honey. Leave it on for 15minutes and rinse off with warm water. Follow with a cold splash. Half a teaspoon of lemon juice added to an egg white is good for oily skin. An egg yolk whisked with a few drops of vegetable oil and a squeeze of lemon juice is great for dry skin, while a tablespoon of skimmed milk added to the egg white nourishes the skin.

FOR A DISCOLOURED NECK

Mix one tablespoon of honey with two egg whites. Add enough wheat bran or wheat flour to make a paste. Beat well and rub into your neck. Leave for a few minutes then rinse off with warm water.

Others Homemade Facial Scrubs & Masks

Make a paste from a little oatmeal and water. Apply to face and allow to dry. Gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.

Mash 1/2 banana and add 1 tablespoon honey and 2 tablespoons sour cream. Apply to face and let set for about 10 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.Two tablespoons of cornmeal mixed with enough water to make a thick paste makes a great inexpensive facial mask. Gently apply to face and wash off.

In a food processor or blender, combine 1/2 cucumber, 1 tablespoon yogurt, a few strawberries, and 1 teaspoon honey. Apply to face and allow to dry. Gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.

Grind 1 tablespoon almonds into a fine meal in a blender or food processor. Mix almond meal together with 1 tablespoon honey and 1 egg white. Apply to face and let set for about 15 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.

To loosen blackheads, combine equal parts baking soda and water in your hand and rub gently on your skin for 2 to 3 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Mash half of an avocado and apply to entire face. Let set for about 20 minutes and then gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.

Soak 1 cup dried apricots in water until softened. Puree in blender or food processor with 2 tablespoons skim milk powder. Apply to face and let set about 15 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.

Puree 1/2 peeled, sliced cucumber in a blender or food processor and add 1 tablespoon yogurt. Apply to face and let set about 20 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.

Crush a handful of strawberries and mix well with 1 teaspoon honey. Apply to face and let set for about 15 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.

Mix 1 1/2 teaspoons honey, the juice from 1/2 of a lemon, and 1 small carton plain yogurt. Stir in 1 whipped egg white. Apply to face and let set about 15 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.