3 natural beauty regimens for a great complexion

Making your own beauty products is neither difficult nor mystifying. For not much more than a little time and effort, you can even give yourself spa treatments that will benefit your spirits as well as your skin.

• 30 ml (2 tbsp) elder flower water
• 50 g (1/4 c) avocado oil
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) almond oil
• 20 ml (4 tsp) wheat germ oil
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) lanolin
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) glycerin
• 2 drops geranium essential oil
• 1 vitamin E capsule, 400 IU

  1. Warm the elder flower water in a nonreactive pot over low heat.

  2. In the top of a double boiler, set over simmering water, warm the avocado, almond and wheat germ oils. Stir in the lanolin until melted. Remove from heat.

  3. Gradually beat in the warmed elder flower water. Stir in the glycerin and geranium essential oil. Pierce the vitamin E capsule with a needle, squeeze out the contents and stir in.

  4. Pour mixture into a clean wide-mouthed 175 millilitre (six ounce) glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Store in a cool, dark place.

• 225 ml (8 oz) boiling water
• 2 to 3 rose petals

  1.Pour the boiling water over the rose petals into a bowl. Steep for about 10 minutes. Cool and strain the petals out.

  2.Soak two large cotton balls in the rose tea and apply over closed eyelids. Rest and relax.

• 10 ml (2 heaping tsp) finely ground oatmeal
• 5 ml (1 tsp) baking soda
• Lukewarm water

  1.Clean your face thoroughly with any natural cleanser.

  2.In a small bowl, stir together oatmeal and baking soda. (The oatmeal needs to be fine; if necessary, first pulse it in a food processor or blender.) Add enough lukewarm water to make a paste. Apply to face and rub gently. Rinse and gently pat the skin dry.

Instant grape cleanser

• Split three or four large green or red grapes, remove any seeds and rub the fleshy interior on your face and neck.
• The grapes condition your skin and reduce dryness, restoring suppleness. Rinse with cool water and gently pat skin dry.

Witch hazel eye compresses

• Keep a small jar of witch hazel in the refrigerator.
• Soak two cotton pads in the chilled liquid, lie down, cover both eyelids and relax for five minutes.