Homemade Beauty Help

Having a bad hair day and run out of your favourite rescue remedy? Or just run out of money to buy them? Cosmetics are so expensive nowadays and with all the health warnings about parabens and other chemicals it's hard to know what to put on your skin. So here are a few tried and tested ingredients that you can take from kitchen to bathroom, without torturing yourself or your purse!

Face masks

There are so many different types of face mask you can make from a few basic ingredients found in most kitchens.

Soothing egg white face mask

Take 2 egg whites and 2 tablespoons of plain yoghurt in a small bowl and mix well. Apply to face. Leave on for 10 minutes then rinse well with warm water, using a damp facecloth to finish off. Particularly good during a flare-up, this mask is very plain and will moisturise without aggravating stressed skin.

Yoghurt and oats mask

Add 1 tablespoon of fine-milled oatmeal to 1 tablespoon of natural yoghurt and add half a teaspoon of clear honey. Mix together and apply to face for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.A calming face mask for all skin types.

Milk of Magnesia

Simply take a bottle of unflavoured Milk of Magnesia and apply to face like a lotion. Leave for 10-15 minutes then rinse well with cool water. An excellent treatment for oily skin and drawing out impurities.

Fruit mask for greasy skin

You will need 2 egg whites, 3 teaspoons of clear honey, a cup of strawberries and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Mix all ingredients well and smooth the resulting paste over the face, leaving for 10 minutes. Rinse well. The lemon and strawberries are naturally astringent, making this a great choice for oily skin.

Classic milk mask for dry skin.

Add a teaspoon of powdered milk, a tablespoon of clear honey, a teaspoon of aloe vera gel and blend well in a small bowl. Add to face and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Milk is so wonderfully moisturising and the aloe will soothe any inflammation.

Brown sugar facial scrub

Simply take a small handful of brown sugar (about a heaped tablespoon) in the palm of your hand and add about a teaspoon of olive oil. Mash into a paste and massage in small circular motions into the face. Rinse well with warm water. Finish off by gently patting dry and moisturising with your usual lotion. Brown sugar is an excellent natural exfoliant which doesn't tear at the skin.

Body scrub

Now your face is sorted, we mustn't neglect the rest of your skin. Millions of pounds are made worldwide with various different types of body scrub and it's crazy, especially when you can make it at home for pence!

You'll need some oil (I prefer almond, but coconut or even plain vegetable oil will work fine) an equal amount of salt (though I would advise sugar if you have sensitive skin, not so abrasive) and a few drops of your favourite essential oil (Rose or lavender for relaxing, lemon to perk you up). Blend the mixture in a bowl, step into the bath or shower and apply it all over the body to dry skin. Massage in big circles up the body, starting at the feet and working up. Once the full body is scrubbed, rinse well with warm water and pat dry gently.

Hair treatments

Are you sick of buying costly hair products that don't deliver what they promise? Try this luscious mask for glossy manageable locks, and clean out the fridge while you're at it!