There are an abundance of skin-care products on the market, and it seems as though there are new treatment options added to the blog weekly. But can there really be 50 different ways to cure dry skin, acne, or dull hair?

Therein lies the million-dollar beauty question: “In the wake of this marketing overload, which skin-care product will actually suit my needs more effectively than another…is there really a difference?” Not really! Sure, no two people are exactly alike, but in the genre of oily locks, there aren’t too many more ways to split the hair. That’s why, in the end, it’s best to make your own line. It may sound complicated, but it most certainly is not. If you read what skin-care products should contain, versus what they do contain, you’ll see that you’re spending lots of money on high concentrates of water and alcohol, and overstated advertising claims; not as fancy as the pretty purple package it comes in. After doing some research, I have identified some skin-pleasing ingredients that you can find in your own home.

Here are the latest and greatest skin-care secrets—hidden in your kitchen:

Strawberries

This fantastic fruit cleanses the skin and has astringent-like properties. Blend with plain yogurt and a little oatmeal for a luxurious facial mask.

Strawberry Yogurt Facial Mask

½ cup of strawberries (tops cut off)

½ cup plain yogurt

1 tbs oatmeal

Blend strawberries and yogurt in a food processor or blender. Add oatmeal and pulse so all ingredients are incorporated, but the oats remain a bit grainy (slightly coarse oats will serve as an exfoliator). Refrigerate until cold. Spread evenly onto face and neck, and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Gently rinse off with warm water and pat dry.

Bananas

Natural emollient (softener). Great for under the eyes!

Bananarama

½ banana

Simply mash until smooth and apply to the skin beneath the eyes. Remove with a warm washcloth.

Herbal Tea

Warm tea bags sooth puffy eyes, while providing a layer of defense against harmful free radicals.

Tea –Time Eye Bath

2 herbal tea bags

1 cup hot water

Place two tea bags in hot water. Let cool until warm. When they are a comfortable temperature, close the eyes and place over the lids or directly under the eye.

Sea Salt

When used in moderation, this common table companion serves as a wonderful exfoliator.

Sea Softener

Sea salt (palm full)

Place a palm full of sea salt in your hand and add your favorite body or face wash. Mix in hands and apply to desired area. Do not rub too hard. Gently wash off.

Olive Oil

Just a dab of this wonderfully smooth Mediterranean delight will soften hair and skin.

Moisture Dressing

Olive oil (amounts specified below)

Skin: Place a cup full in bath water, or apply directly to the skin prior to bathing or showering. Allow to soak off.

Hair: After shampooing, massage a palm full of olive oil in wet hair and comb through. Place a towel under warm water (wring out excess water) and wrap around the hair. Let sit for 5-10 minutes and rinse out.

Lemons/lemon juice

May help tone and even out blotchy skin

Auntie Viv’s Lemon Solution

Lemon Juice or 1 lemon

Add lemon juice to a cotton ball and sweep over the face. Or, cut a lemon in half and peel off a large chunk of the skin. Holding the edge of the lemon peel, massage the inside of the rind smoothly over the face. In either instance, rinse off with warm water and pat dry.

Please note that lemons can make skin more sun-sensitive. Use in moderation and be sure to wear sunscreen.

Egg

On the face or in the hair, eggs are fantastic anywhere (a regress from my “Sam I Am” years)

2 Eggcellent Recipes

1 egg

Dry hair: Whisk the egg yolk and apply to hair after shampooing for a quick conditioner.

Oily skin: For oily skin, whisk the egg white only and spread evenly onto damp face and neck, in lieu of an astringent. Leave on for 5 minutes and wash off with warm water and pat dry.

Mayonnaise

Conditions the hair. It really works well, but smells very pungent. Add a drop or two of scented oil to combat the odor.

Mamma-Mayo

1-2 tbs mayonnaise (depending on hair length)

1-2 drops scented oil (be sure the oil is for cosmetic purposes)

Add 1-2 drops of your favorite scented oil to the mayo and mix well. After shampooing, comb mayo through wet hair. Leave on for 5 minutes and wash out with warm water.

Avocado

Mashed, it makes a luxurious skin-softening mask—great for dry skin.

Green Goo

1 avocado (insides only)

Mash avocado and spread evenly onto face and neck. Leave on for 5-10 minutes. Remove with warm water and pat dry.

Milk

Texturizes, soothes, and softens. Many products on the market contain this protein-packed liquid. It has been said that Cleopatra bathed in milk to retain a beautiful, glowing complexion.

Cleo’s Bath

Milk (amounts specified below)

Add a cupful to bath water, or apply directly to the skin prior to showering or bathing. Allow to soak off

Note: The above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.