5 easy face masks using kitchen ingredients

With these face masks, the kitchen isn't just for cooking. Using ingredients commonly found in your cupboards, you can make soothing, revitalizing and inexpensive face masks that your skin and pocketbook will thank you for.

• 125 ml (1/2 c) hot water
• 150 ml (10 tbsp) quick-cooking oats
• 1/2 apple, cored but with peel on
• 30 ml (2 heaping tbsp) plain yogurt
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) honey
• 1 egg white

  1. Clean your face thoroughly with any natural cleanser. In a small bowl, stir the oats into the hot water until you have a smooth mixture. Let stand for about five minutes or until the mixture thickens to a paste.

  2 .Put the apple, yogurt, honey and egg white in a blender or food processor and pulse for 45 seconds just to mix. Now add oatmeal mixture and pulse for 20 seconds more.

  3. Apply this mask evenly to the face, avoiding the eyes, and let sit for 15 minutes or until skin feels tight. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat skin dry.

• 15 ml (1 tbsp) finely ground oatmeal
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) yogurt (any kind)
• 2 ml (1/2 tsp) honey1. Before starting, clean your face thoroughly with any natural cleanser so that you can immediately apply the deep-cleansing facial mixture when it has been stirred together.

  2. In a clean bowl, combine the yogurt and oatmeal and mix to a spreadable consistency. In a small glass bowl sitting in a larger bowl of hot water, warm the honey and pour it into the yogurt and oatmeal mixture. Using a spoon, blend the ingredients thoroughly.

  3. Immediately apply the mask to your face, avoiding the eyes, and let it stay on for 10 to 15 minutes. Wash it off with warm water. Pat skin dry and apply a toner and moisturizer to your face.

• 1/2 banana
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) honey
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) sour cream

  1. Clean your face thoroughly with any natural cleanser. In a small bowl, mash the half-banana. Stir in the honey and sour cream.

  2. Apply to your face, avoiding the eyes, and let set for 10 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp washcloth. Rinse clean with warm water. Pat your skin dry.

• 1 fresh artichoke heart, well cooked, or canned hearts in water, not oil
• 10 ml (2 tsp) light oil (avocado, olive, or canola)
• 5 ml (1 tsp) vinegar or fresh lemon juice

  1.Mash artichoke heart in a ceramic bowl. Mix in oil and vinegar or lemon juice. Stir well until a smooth paste is formed.

  2.Massage on face and neck. Let sit 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry.

• 1 handful ripe strawberries
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) ground almonds
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) yogurt

  1.Clean your face thoroughly with any natural cleanser. In a small bowl, mash the strawberries and almonds until completely blended together. Stir in the yogurt to make a spreadable paste.

  2.Apply immediately or refrigerate and use within one day on a clean face.

  3.When the time is up, remove the mask with your fingers over a basin. If the mask has dried, splash warm water on your face and try again to remove the mask with your fingers. Then use a wet washcloth to remove the last residue of the mask. Finally, splash your face with cool water, pat the skin dry, and apply a toner.