Homemade grooming solutions for men

Leave no man behind with these everyday grooming solutions, using everyday pantry ingredients.

To take care of rough, dry skin as you sleep, try this.

1. Mix up a paste by combining 30 millilitres (two tablespoons) avocado oil, 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) honey and 10 millilitres (two teaspoons) glycerin.
2. Stir in 350 grams (1.5 cups) finely ground rolled oats or almonds until you have the right consistency.
3. "Wash" your hands and fingers in the paste, then slip on a pair of latex or cotton gloves before going to bed.

Diluted vinegar will not only tone your skin but help protect it from infections — and it's simple to make a vinegar-peppermint concentrate you can keep with your toiletries.

To make:

1. Place five grams (one teaspoon) dried peppermint (or 15 grams/one tablespoon fresh) in a sterilized bottle with a cap.
2. Pour in 75 millilitres (0.5 cup) apple cider vinegar. Screw the cap on tight and set aside for 10 days.
3. Strain the mint-scented vinegar into a second sterilized bottle.

To use:

1. Dilute 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) of the scented vinegar with 125 millilitres (0.5 cup) boiled or distilled water.
2. Splash it all over your face to pep up the skin.

Men are no longer strangers to facials — in urban areas, at least — and there's no need to head off to a salon for one. Prepare a skin-friendly, moisturizing mask at home with an aloe vera leaf, an egg yolk, honey and powdered milk.

To make:

1. Slice the aloe leaf open lengthwise and scrape five millilitres (one teaspoon) gel into a small bowl.
2. Beat in one egg yolk and five millilitres (one teaspoon) warm, not hot, honey.
3. Stir in enough powdered milk to make a thin but spreadable paste.

To use:

1. Use your fingers to spread the paste from hairline to chin, steering clear of the area around your eyes.
2. Leave the mask on for 20 – 30 minutes.
3. Remove it with your fingers and a wet washcloth.
4. Follow your facial with a splash or two of skin toner.

For a good-smelling antiseptic aftershave, play around with apple cider vinegar and the likes of orange flower water, witch hazel and essential oils like bergamot and neroli. Experiment with different proportions until you find what you like best, then store it in a sterilized bottle with a lid.

Proper grooming isn't just for women; men will find these homemade grooming solutions easy to do — and the results are amazing.