Carrot and Wheatgerm Oil Mask:

Carrot's high vitamin and mineral content - vitamins A and B (folic acid), plus iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, sulphur and copper - make it an important vegetable in skin care. Here it is teamed with vitamin E (in the wheatgerm) and nourishing honey and yoghurt, in a mask most suitable for those with dry or ageing skin but which can be used occasionally on all types.

INGREDIENTS:

1 large carrot or 2 tablespoons carrot juice
approx. 5 tablespoons wheatgerm oil
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons yoghurt
1 teaspoon potato flour or clay powder (as necessary)

If making your own carrot juice, prepare 2 tablespoonsful. Combine the wheatgerm oil, honey, yoghurt and carrot juice, stirring well. Adjust the consistency by adding a little more wheatgerm oil or carrot juice if too thick, or clay or potato flour if too runny.

Apply evenly to the cleaned face and neck and leave for approx. 20 minutes. Remove with water and cottonwool balls and pat dry. Dab on a suitable hydrolat and leave to dry naturally.

Lettuce Leaf Mask

Cooling and anti-inflammatory, lettuce leaves calm skin rashes and sunburn rapidly, while their vitamins (A, C, D, E and F), precious minerals and trace elements hydrate as well as nourish.

INGREDIENTS:

1 very fresh small lettuce, preferably organic

Separate the leaves of the lettuce and clean. Toss into boiling water for 5 minutes until cooked. Drain quickly, reserving both leaves and liquid, and allow to cool. The cooking water can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator and used as a lotion for the face and neck.

Carefully apply the cooled leaves to the cleaned face and neck and leave in place for 5-10 minutes, if possible; they will be rather slippery! Pat the face dry with cottonwool balls.

VARIATION

Puree the cooked lettuce leaves in a food processor or blender. Into the puree stir 3 tablespoons of white or green clay and 1 tablespoon of fresh carrot juice; then add 2 tablespoons of the lettuce cooking water and leave to rest without stirring for 30 minutes. Mix well to form a smooth paste.

Apply evenly to the cleaned face and neck and leave for approx. 20 minutes, rinsing off with water. This makes an excellent mask for dry or ageing skin that suffers from inflammation or dry eczema.