5 must-try natural skincare treatments

Taking care of your skin is important, but this doesn’t mean you have to pay someone to do it. Give these DIY natural skin treatments a try using ingredients that you can find at your local health food store or pharmacy.

Used regularly, this easy-to-make face mask is very effective and will cost you a fraction of the price of similar commercial salon treatments and anti-aging preparations.

What you need

• 2 egg whites
• 30 millilitres (2 tablespoons) runny honey
• 5 millilitres (1 teaspoon) almond oil
• juice of 1 lemon

What to do

1. Whisk ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Brush the mixture onto clean, damp skin, avoiding the eye area.
3. Leave for 15 minutes and then rinse off.

Cucumber is a time-tested remedy for spots and blemishes and benzoin is a mild preservative that is also good for skin problems.

What you need

• 1 large cucumber
• hot water
• 2 millilitres (1/2 teaspoon) tincture of benzoin

What to do

1. Slice a large, unpeeled cucumber and place it in a bowl with enough hot water to cover. Leave it to cool for one hour.
2. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve or cloth, squeezing thoroughly.
3. Stir in the benzoin and store the mixture in a glass bottle.
4. Apply it to the skin with a cotton ball. Use it to refresh your skin, especially in summer. Store it in the fridge and discard it after a week.

Use this natural cleanser for an invigorating exfoliation that will leave your skin feeling refreshed.

What you need

• 250 grams (1 cup) rolled oats
• 125 grams (1/2 cup) flaked almonds
• 5 grams (1 teaspoon) dried lavender
• 5 grams (1 teaspoon) dried rosemary
• 125 grams (1/2 cup) rice flour

What to do

1. Finely grind the oats, almonds, lavender and rosemary. Stir through the rice flour and store the mixture in an airtight glass jar.
2. To use, mix approximately 15 grams (1 tablespoon) of the dry mixture with a little water. If you have very dry skin, mix the grains with 15 millilitres (1 tablespoon) of natural yogurt and 10 millilitres (2 teaspoons) of honey instead.
3. Massage the mixture into your skin, then rinse off.
4. Discard any unused wet mixture immediately as it won't keep.

Rejuvenate your skin with this gentle, delightfully scented toner.

What you need

• 15 g (1 tablespoon) dried peppermint
• 125 millilitres (1/2 cup) witch hazel
• 125 millilitres (1/2 cup) rosewater
• 5 millilitres (1 teaspoon) vegetable glycerine

What to do

1. Place the peppermint in a jar, add the witch hazel and cap it.
2. Let the mixture stand for one week, shaking daily.
3. Strain the mixture through coffee filter paper and combine the resulting liquid with the rosewater and glycerine.
4. Shake the contents gently before use and apply to your face with a clean cotton ball.

Rub this all-natural moisturizer onto your skin for nourishing relief from dryness.

What you need

• 15 millilitres (1 tablespoon) avocado oil
• 15 millilitres (1 tablespoon) almond oil
• 15 millilitres (1 tablespoon) sesame oil
• 2 x 500 IU (international units) vitamin E capsules

What to do

1. Combine the three oils in a small, dark-coloured glass jar (this will help protect the oils from the light).
2. Pierce the capsules and add their contents to the jar. Shake well.
3. To use, place a few drops of the moisturizer on your palms, rub them together and pat gently onto your skin.

Once you've tried these DIY natural skincare treatments, you can say goodbye to expensive commercial products and hello to silky skin with a natural glow.