The Face

Skin treated to proper care is firm but elastic, positively glowing with health. This balanced condition is maintained by meticulous cleansing and a flexible skin care routine which meets every challenge – from the signs of passing years to the rigours of wind and weather.

This is the way to proceed :

1. First, cleanse your face.
2. Then steam your face for five minutes.
3. Close your eyes and hold your face as close to the steam as you can without discomfort.
4. If skin is oily, cleanse your face again. You may skip this step if your skin is dry or sensitive.
5. Now you are ready to apply a face mask.

Home Made Facials

• A piece of muslin or gauze is sometimes useful in helping to keep a face mask in place, especially if the consistency is inclined to be slippery. Simply cut out ‘eyes’ and a ‘mouth’ and place over the face before carefully applying the mask.

• Eggs make masks to suit all skin types. An egg white, whipped and patted on the skin, will tighten and tone. The whole egg, beaten, has softening properties as well. For combination skin make up two masks. Apply 2 15 ml (2 tbsp) beaten egg white and ½ x 5 ml (1/2 teasp) lemon juice to the oily patches, rubbing it in slightly. Then mix 5 ml (1 teasp) gelatine with 15 ml (1 tbsp) water to make a paste and smooth in to the dry areas. Leave for 30 minutes, then rinse both away with warm water followed by cold. Blot dry.

• A carrot mask does wonders in helping to clear a blemished complexion. Use a small raw carrot mashed to a smooth paste or cook one in a little water and liquidize or mash. Pat the mask all over the blemished areas and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Then remove the mask, rinse off with warm water and pat dry.

• Banana is one of the best ingredients for an anti-wrinkle treatment. Mash down two or three slices, diluting the consistency, if you like, with 5 ml (1 teasp) or so of milk. Apply all over face and leave for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water followed by a dash of cold. Then pat dry.

• Grape juice makes an excellent cleanser for any skin type. Simply split one or two large grapes, remove pips and rub the flesh over face and neck. Rinse off with cool water.

• For skin that is going through an oily phase, try a brewer’s yeast mask. Mix 5 ml (1 teasp) brewer’s yeast with enough natural yoghurt to make a loose, thin mixture. Pat this thoroughly into all the oily areas and allow it to dry on the skin. After 15 - 20 minutes, rinse off with warm water, then cool and blot dry.

• Tomatoes cut in half and rubbed over the face tone and whiten the skin. For tired-looking or sluggish skin, a cucumber facial is idea. Take 115 ml (1/2 cupful) of diced cucumber, 2 x 5 ml (2 teasp) powdered milk and an egg white. Mix to a smooth paste and apply to face and neck. Allow to dry for up to 30 minutes before rinsing off with warm water. Then splash on cool water and blot dry.