Our skin is the largest organ in our bodies, and a large percentage of anything applied to it is absorbed into the blood stream.  Whether you are concerned about the effects of absorbing harsh chemicals from commercial skin creams or just want the fun of making your own natural face mask, here are some tried and tested 'recipes' for the most common of skin ailments.

Oily skin can cause an unsightly shininess, blemishes and blackheads, but can be treated simply with a thin layer of plain yoghurt (no added sugar or flavorings).  Tea Tree Oil and slightly salted water are two other remedies that can gently dry up pores loaded with excess oil.  Or try our fruity, fragrant facial mask:

Strawberry and Lemon Facial Mask Recipe

• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (It can be concentrated or freshly squeezed)
• 2 egg whites
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 1 cup of mashed strawberries
• 4 drops of Jojoba oil (This can be found in organic markets, online or at health care stores.)

Mix all the ingredients together in one bowl, applying immediately after mixing. Leave on the face for about 10 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.

Do you suffer from dry skin problems? Dry skin occurs for a number of reasons such as natural aging, thyroid or hormone fluctuations and harsh weather conditions.  Expensive moisturizers might do the trick but they will rarely help to balance the skin's natural moisture levels to treat the problem long term.  Here are two great moisture boosting face masks:

Tropical Fruit Moisture Mask

• 1 banana
• 1 peach, avocado or papaya.

Puree all of the fruit pulp and apply immediately to skin.  Leave on for 20 minutes then rinse off with warm water. For extra dry skin try adding a teaspoon of natural vegetable or sunflower oil to the mask and gently scrubbing your skin with softened oats to remove all residue.

Honey Moisture Mask

• 1/2 teaspoon of honey
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon of dried milk powder

Mix the ingredients to form a paste, and apply to the face. Rinse away with warm water after 20 minutes.

The most common skin problem people experience is with both oily and dry skin at the same time. If you happen to suffer from 'combination' or 'T zone' skin, then you need a homemade remedy designed to address both issues.

Rose Water Balancing Mask

• 2 tablespoons of rosewater
• 1 tablespoon of softened honey (soften honey by placing it in a microwave for just a few seconds.)
• 1 tablespoon of natural yogurt (no low-fat or non-fat yogurt)
• A handful of fresh rose petals

Place rose petals in bowl of water to soak, and once thoroughly wet crush them up with a wooden spoon.  Add all other ingredients to petals and mix.  Apply to the skin for no longer than 10 minutes and rinse your face with warm water.

For an extra soothing, balancing mask apply grated cucumber to the face- especially the area near the eyes. This will tighten the skin, leaving it cool and refreshed.