Beauty Mantra: Homemade face packs that can do wonders for the skin

 Banana

Banana is an all-natural, homemade face mask that moisturises the skin and leaves it looking and feeling softer. Mash up a medium-sized ripe banana into a smooth paste and then gently apply it to your face and neck. Let it set for 10 to 20 minutes, then rinse it off with cold water. Another popular mask recipe calls for 1/4 cup plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons honey (a natural acne remedy), and 1 medium banana.

 Vinegar

Using vinegar as a skin toner dates back to the time of Helen of Troy, and it’s just as effective today. After you wash your face, mix 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar with 2 cups water as a finishing rinse to cleanse and tighten your skin. You can also create a homemade face mask by mixing 1/4 cup cider vinegar with 1/4 cup water. Gently apply the solution to your face and let it dry.

 Milk

Make a homemade face mask by mixing 1/4 cup powdered milk with enough water to form a thick paste. Thoroughly coat your face with the mixture, let dry completely, and then rinse with warm water. Your face will feel fresh and rejuvenated!

 Oatmeal

Combine 1/2 cup hot—not boiling—water and 1/3 cup oatmeal. After the water and oatmeal have settled for two or three minutes, mix in 2 tablespoons plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons honey, and 1 small egg white. Apply a thin layer of the mask to your face, and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then rinse with warm water.

 Yogurt

To cleanse your skin and tighten the pores, slather some plain yogurt on your face and let it sit for about 20 minutes. For a revitalizing facial mask, mix 1 teaspoon plain yogurt with the juice from 1/4 slice of orange, some of the orange pulp, and 1 teaspoon aloe. Leave the mixture on your face for at least five minutes before rinsing it off.

 Turmeric

To make the pack, use 2 heaped teaspoons gram flour, one teaspoon lemon juice and 3-4 teaspoon of raw milk. Smoothen the mixture and add more water/milk if required. Apply the paste on the face and neck and dry for about 15 minutes. Thereafter, take little milk and rub the pack on the face for about 3 minutes and rinse with cold water.