Home remedies for facial cleansing

Beautiful skin doesn't just happen — a good skin care regimen is vitally important. Start with these DIY facial cleanser solutions.

And remember: always remove sweat and makeup from your face with a cleanser. Then refresh and clarify using a toner, before finally applying a cream. Harsh cleansers, such as soaps or toners with a high alcohol content, don't only remove the dirt and grease on your skin — they can also strip your skin's natural oils.

• Stir together about half of a single-serving container of plain yogurt, 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) of olive oil and 10 millilitres (two teaspoons) of lemon juice. Apply with a cotton ball, and rinse with warm water after about two minutes. A supply of this cleansing milk can be kept in the refrigerator for two to three days.
• Slightly warm up 50 grams (1 1/2 ounce) of buttermilk and dissolve five millilitres (one teaspoon) of honey in it, then stir in five millilitres (one teaspoon) of lemon juice. Dab the mixture onto a cotton ball and cleanse your face with gentle, circular motions. Leave on for two minutes before rinsing with warm water.

• To prepare a degreasing cleansing milk, pour 250 millilitres (one cup) of boiling water over 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) each of lady's mantle, chamomile and sage. Strain after five minutes and allow to cool. Top off the liquid with about 200 millilitres (3/4 cup) of buttermilk and bottle. Shake before using and apply with a cotton ball. Leave on briefly before rinsing with warm water. The mixture can be kept for up to three days in the refrigerator.
• To make a stinging nettle milk that will promote circulation and clear up oily skin, heat up a handful of fresh stinging nettle leaves in about 300 millilitres (1 1/4 cups) of milk. Strain the milk just before it comes to a boil and let cool. Apply the mixture with a cotton ball, then rinse.
• Fennel lotion has been around for a long time, thanks to its ability to improve skin's appearance. To make it, steep 45 millilitres (three tablespoons) of fennel seeds in about 150 millilitres (2/3 cup) of buttermilk over very low heat for 30 minutes. After the infusion cools, strain and apply with a cotton ball.
• Alternatively, create a paste that will help improve skin's appearance by stirring together 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) of finely crushed flaxseeds, 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) of oat bran, one drop of lemon oil and a little hot water.

A toner will remove leftover cleansing milk and help clarify your skin. Toners are generally left on skin to dry, not washed off.

• For normal skin, add 75 millilitres (five tablespoons) of witch hazel and 45 millilitres (three tablespoons) each of rose water and orange blossom water to a bottle and shake. Alternatively, you can rub your skin with a piece of fresh cucumber.
• For an astringent or anti-inflammatory toner that is perfect for oily skin, add 50 millilitres (1/4 cup) of sage water, five millilitres (one teaspoon) of rubbing alcohol and one drop each of tea tree and sage oil to a bottle and shake. Alternatively, use dandelion tea.
• For dry skin, add 45 millilitres (three tablespoons) of pot marigold tincture, 90 millilitres (six tablespoons) of orange blossom water and one drop of lavender oil to a bottle and shake vigorously.
• To avoid irritating sensitive skin, apply a formula of 30 millilitres (two tablespoons) of pot marigold tincture, 70 millilitres (roughly four tablespoons) of distilled water, and three drops of chamomile oil.
• For mature skin, add 50 millilitres (1/4 cup) of orange blossom water, five millilitres (one teaspoon) of cider vinegar and two drops each of seabuckthorn and incense oil to a bottle.