How To: Do A Facial Using Only Items From Your Kitchen Cupboard

If your skin is in need of a boost, follow this step-by-step guide to giving yourself an at-home facial. You don't need to use expensive products either, as everything you need can be found in your kitchen cupboards.

Say hello to beautiful skin...

1. Pre-cleanse your skin

Start by taking off your make-up. Don't be tempted to use a face wipe though as they're extremely drying. Instead, use a good glug of olive oil. It loosens and lifts off makeup and dirt, including waterproof mascara, effortlessly. Olive oil has been used as natural beauty-booster for centuries, and it's packed with vitamins and antioxidants. It makes an ideal cleanser for most skin types and will give skin a nice 'deep-clean' feel.

Cleansing oils are the buzz of the beauty world at the moment, but olive oil will work just as well. Smooth onto completely dry skin then leave it to work it's magic for 5 minutes. Once it's slightly emulsified, remove with a damp cotton wool pad and rinse your face. Not only will this remove every last scrap of make-up, but the oil will leave your skin feeling soft and incredibly clean.

For extremely dry complexions, raw coconut oil works well to inject some moisture. Coconut oil also has some amazing anti-ageing benefits, helping to smooth out wrinkles and lighten dark eye circles.

2. Treat your face to a deep cleanse

There are a few different natural cleansers that work really well. Here are a few options to try out:

• Chilled natural yoghurt - gentle and great for all skin types. If possible, use organic products.
• Mashed bananas - packed with Vitamin A and B, bananas suit oily/combination skin.
• Mashed avocado - perfect for dry skin, they're full of healthy fats and phytonutrients. Mix with a tablespoon of olive oil to make a paste.
• Papaya pulp - rich in skin-loving nutrients including carotenoids, Vitamin C & B, enzymes and minerals. Works well on oily/combination skin.

Apply your cleanser onto your face using some cotton wool or the tips of your fingertips. Gently massage your skin in small circular moments, working upwards and outwards. Take a little lie down and leave to settle for five minutes then gently rinse off.

3. Buff and exfoliate with a green tea scrub

Take an old toothbrush or other soft brush and make sure it's both clean and dry. Gently brush your skin in circular movements all across your face, taking care around the delicate eye area. This helps stimulate circulation, release toxins and naturally plump the skin - resulting in a nice glowing complexion. To finish, give your lips a quick buff to remove any peeling skin.

Now it's time to get rid of the dead skin with a natural green tea exfoliator. You might wish to make this in advance and pop it into the fridge to keep.

You'll need:

• 2 tbsp Sea Salt
• 1/2 tsp coconut oil or olive oil
• 1/2 tsp of contents of a green tea bag
• Pinch of Matcha green tea powder - optional

Mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl then using your fingertips, gently rub the scrub onto your face using small circular motions. Focus on the areas around your nose, forehead and any oilier areas of your face.

Remember that exfoliating your skin doesn't mean being rough! Don't rub too vigorously especially if you have dry or sensitive skin.

4. Purify your pores with hot steam and a mask

Applying too much make-up (skin needs to breathe!) and late nights can cause toxins to build up and congested pores.

Steam your skin by holding your face over a bowl of hot, steamy water to open pores and encourage impurities to surface. Steam for 10 minutes in total, with regular intervals, then finish by smoothing on a natural face mask. If you have some matcha in your cupboard, this mask is good all rounder...

You'll need:

• 1/2 teaspoon of Matcha green powder
• A squeeze of lemon juice

Mix both ingredients together to make a smooth paste then apply a nice thick layer to your face. Cut two slices of cucumber and place over your eyelids to soothe tired, puffy eyes. Leave until it's fully hardened then gently rub off with a warm, wet towel.

For an alternative face mask suitable for all skin types, mash one banana with 2 tablespoons of honey and mix until it makes a paste. Apply to face and leave for 15 minutes. Honey has fantastic skin soothing properties!

5. De-stress your skin with a soothing toner

Frequently applying and removing your make-up can affect your ph levels which can cause blotchy, inflamed, or even flaky or greasy skin. Calm and soothe irritated skin and restore your skin's natural ph level by using a skin toner.

People often skip the toner, but it's an essential part of your facial. Not only does it help to shrink and close pores after heat, but it also acts as an inflammatory.

Make a natural skin toner with cucumbers. Take half a cucumber, remove the skin and de-seed. Finely grate and sieve into a bowl. Add a small cup of water and leave to chill in the fridge then sieve again to remove any pieces. Again, you may wish to prepare this toner at the same time as your face mask.

Gently apply the cucumber toner to a dry or slightly damp face with cotton wool pads. Cucumber is incredibly soothing and your face will feel fresh as a daisy afterwards!

6. Moisturise and revive your skin

Heavy nights, lack of sleep and indulging in one too many alcoholic drinks can all help slow down cell renewal, making your skin look dull and tired. End your facial and get your natural glow back by applying a generous amount of moisturiser to your face and massaging your skin.

Using both hands, firmly rub your fingers upwards and outwards. Use small circular motions and really massage into the skin. Facial massage is the secret to perkier looking skin! Ditch all those expensive lotions and potions and follow skincare expert Carole Maggio's facial exercise routine to smooth wrinkles, freshen eyes and sculpt your jawline.

 Thanks for reading! Do you have an tips on natural beauty products?

 

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