There are countless cream cleansers, pore minimizers, masks and treatments both over-the-counter and with a prescription all designed to treat blemishes and keep your skin clean and clear. But when you want to get back to skincare basics, try these tried and true natural masks and cleansers to clean and protect your skin.

Let’s start with cleansing, moisturizing masks then try the scrubs and toners:

·    For an instant fix for dry skin, mash a banana well and mix with a teaspoon of honey. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse.

·    Mix 1/4 cup whipping cream, 1/2 teaspoon olive oil, 2 tablespoons ripe mashed avocado and 1 teaspoon calendula petals. Leave on for 5 minutes, then rinse. Studies show that avocado oil significantly increased the collagen content in skin helping it to maintain its youthful look. Not only does the oil in avocado act like an emollient, but the fruit also contains moisturizing vitamin E. Another good avocado mix is 1 tablespoon mashed avocado, 2 egg whites and 2 tablespoons honey blended until smooth. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse.

·    For oily skin, first simmer an apple covered in water just until soft. Remove from the water, mash and then add 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon crushed peppermint leaves. Apply the mixture to your face, leave for five minutes, then rinse.

·    To tone oily skin, add 1 tablespoon each of peppermint, yarrow, sage, or hyssop to 1 cup boiling water. Steep for 30 minutes, then strain and cool before dabbing it on your face much like you would any toner.

·    To help clean and tighten pores, mash one peeled mango until it turns soft and pulpy. Massage into skin, leave on for a few minutes, and rinse.

·    To remove damaging pollutants, clean your face and neck with a natural cold cream and follow with a rosewater and glycerin rinse twice a day.

·    To moisturize and exfoliate your skin at the same time, prepare a homemade oat scrub and use on your face every other day. Grind enough rolled oats in a food processor or coffee grinder to fill 1/2 cup. Combine with 1/3 cup ground sunflower seeds, 1/2 teaspoon peppermint leaves, and 4 tablespoons almond meal. Mix 2 teaspoons with a small amount of heavy cream. Scrub your face and neck with the mixture, then rinse thoroughly with cool water.

·    Add a teaspoon of grapeseed oil to your toner. The oil acts as an anti-aging serum by helping your skin cells repair and rejuvenate themselves, suggests Gina Michele Bisignano, a model and beauty expert in Los Angeles.

·    To hydrate the skin, use a spritzer with rose, sandalwood, or bergamot essential oils mixed with water. To create this herbal spritzer, mix a few drops of essential oil with water in a small spray bottle and spritz on your face whenever your skin needs a little boost. Your skin is more pliable when it`s hydrated, so a spray helps stave off frown lines and general movement wrinkles. The hydrator also keeps pollutants out and keeps your skin`s natural lubricants in. An added bonus: Your makeup will stay on longer and look more natural.

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