Use these tools to whip up your premium blends.

Bananas, yogurt and strawberries may seem like the perfect combination for a morning smoothie, but these ingredients can provide more than just an energy boost before your predawn jog. With just a few simple items from around the kitchen and a little elbow grease, these Saturday market purchases are all you need to hydrate and revive your face. Let Saturday Life give you the recipe for natural face masks while keeping you away from the counter and out of the spa for longer.

Dry skin

If you have dry skin, your main aim is to add moisture to your skin in order to improve its overall look and feel. Avocado and milk are natural resources which have been proven to rehydrate your skin, leaving it smooth to the touch.

Avocado

Peel a small, ripe avocado and mash the flesh in a bowl until creamy (a blender may also be used). Add two tablespoons of honey and mix well. If the mix is too thick, a tablespoon of orange juice can be added. Use your fingers to spread the mix all over your face and neck and leave to sit for 15-20 minutes.

Milk

Add a quarter cup of milk, two tablespoons of honey and a few drops of olive oil in a bowl and mix. Apply the mix using fingers and leave it to sit for 10-15 minutes. Powdered milk can be used as substitute for liquid milk and may offer added hold.

Oily skin

If your face is excessively oily, your goal will be to absorb that oil. The enzymes found in banana as well as the protein in egg whites are sure to achieve a healthy glow by removing the excess flow.

Banana

Peel a ripe banana and chop into small pieces. Place the pieces in a blender with a tablespoon of honey and the juice from half an orange and mix until smooth. Apply the mixture to the face and neck and leave it to sit for 15-20 minutes.

Egg White

Crack an egg and separate the egg white from the yolk. Whisk the egg white in a bowl until it is fluffy and then add the juice from half an orange and mix well. Spread the mask thoroughly using the fingers and leave to sit for 10-15 minutes.

Problem/Acne-Prone Skin

If your aim is to reduce the appearance of blemishes, pimples and/or blackheads, a papaya face mask is the best option for you. The enzyme papayin found in papaya will help to cleanse the skin and rid it of the impurities which cause these problems.

Papaya

Cut a fresh papaya in half and remove the seeds. Take out the pulp of the fruit and mash in a bowl. Add a tablespoon of honey and mix well. Apply the mask to the face and leave for 10-15 minutes.

Combination or normal skin types

To freshen the look of your face, a yogurt mask is best.

Yogurt

Add a third of a cup of plain yogurt and a tablespoon of honey to a bowl and mix thoroughly. Using the fingers, apply the mixture to the face and neck and let sit for 10-15 minutes.

General tips

✎ Test the mask on a section of your skin (for example, the back of your hand) for 30 minutes and then remove. Observe the area for 24 hours and if there are no complications, proceed to your face.

✎ Don't apply the mask too closely to your eyes as this may cause irritation.

✎ Always use a soft washcloth and warm water to remove your mask as this will help exfoliate your skin.

✎ Always apply moisturiser to your skin after the mask has been removed and your skin has dried.

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