Look Good Naturally: Plants and herbs to keep your skin glowing

Anise: The aromatic seed have mildly antibacterial properties and can be used to freshen the breath. The essential oil can be used in massages – but don’t use it if you have a rash.

Banana: Banana is rich in Vitamin A and potassium. The mashed pulp is very gentle when used on the skin, making good refining and cleansing face masks.

Chives: Chives have a high sulphur and iron content, so the juice makes an excellent skin tonic and cleanser when dabbed on to the skin.

Cloves: Clove oil’s antiseptic qualities make it a valuable ingredient in toothpaste. Use it as a mouthwash and in other oral hygiene preparations.

Coconut: Blended with other ingredients, coconut makes a nourishing pre-wash hair-conditioning treatment. It may also be used as an intensive skin moisturizer.

Kelp: Kelp is rich in vitamins and minerals, so it is a useful ingredient in a facemasks and body care treatments for skin problems. Use dried or powdered.

Macadamia: A thick-textured oil that can be used in small quantities in homemade cosmetics, it is a natural skin soother. Use on its own on dry or chapped skin or mix it with a fragrant oil for hair gloss.

Melon: Rich in vitamins B and C, melon flesh is useful in homemade recipes for cooling facemasks and nourishing skin treatments.

Parsley: Parsley tea makes an excellent mouthwash and anti-freckle lotion. Pulp it in a food processor to add to tonics, toners and skin cleansers.

Potato: Mashed and cooled, it can be used as an intensive moisturizing treatment and facial mask that is particularly suitable for dry complexions. It may also be used to soothe swollen eyelids and sunburn.

Sesame: In oil form, sesame can be used in a variety of nourishing skin treatments. As it is very light-textured and light, if has excellent lubricating qualities and makes good base oil for massage.

Strawberries: Being mildly astringent, strawberries are a refreshing natural cosmetic for cleansing and toning and skin. Fresh strawberries contain an acid that whitens teeth.

From the Kitchen to Your Body

Remove makeup: Bear with us on this one, but if you’re all out of makeup remover, a dab of shortening will do the trick.

Get chewing gum out of your hair: Somehow, Junior’s bubblegum ended up stuck in your hair. No problem. Apply peanut butter and rub the gum till it comes out.

Facial: Don’t waste mustard on a sandwich – spread it on your face instead! Use a mild yellow brand to soothe and stimulate your skin. But keep away from your eyes and test on a small area first to make sure it doesn’t irritate you.

Smelly armpits: Not only will splashing a little vinegar under your arms reduce B.O. (Bad Order), this method also does away with deodorant stains on your blouse or shirt.

Emergency shaving cream: Out of shaving cream? Take the butter from your toast and slather it onto your wet skin for a smooth shave.

Dry up pimples: The only thing worse than being a teen with a zit is being an adult with one. Crush an aspirin and add a bit of water. Apply the paste to the pimple, wait a few minutes, and then wash off. It will reduce the redness and relieve the sting.

Soften dry, scaly elbows: Suffer from dinosaur elbows? Treat them with a lemon juice/baking soda paste.

Remove a splinter: If digging around your finger with a needle to get a splinter doesn’t appeal to you, cover the wound with tape. After three days, pull off the tape and the splinter may come with it.

Eliminate odors from hands: You’ve made shrimp with garlic, and now your hands stink. Rubbing a few coffee beans together releases oil from the beans, which absorbs the smell.

Shoe deodorizer: If the cat passes out every time you take off your sneakers, it’s time to act. Fill a couple of old socks with scented cat litter, tie them shut, and stuff them in your sneakers overnight.