For Skin Like a Peach

If you're keen to look after your face but blanch at the cost of skincare products, you can make cleansers, toners and nourishers from fruit, vegetables and other foodstuffs, says herbalist Pierre Jean Cousin, author of Natural Recipes for Perfect Skin. Many fruits have a nourishing, revitalising and astringent action. Some vegetables fight inflammation and contain vitamin A. Here are some recipes to try:

Cucumber cleanser Peel, seed, puree and sieve one-quarter of a small cucumber. Stir two tablespoons of honey into two tablespoons of the juice and add a tablespoon of full-fat milk. Apply to the face and neck for 20 minutes, then wash off with bottled water.

Banana face mask Mash a small banana and stir in two tablespoons of fresh double cream , one tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of potato flour. Apply for 30 minutes and then rinse off.

Lemon toning mask Beat one egg white until stiff, then fold in the juice of half a lemon. Apply to the face for 20 minutes, then wash off.