All of us spend a lot of time picking on that nasty pimple that just won’t seem to budge, right before the party tonight. A clear skin is God’s gift, or so did our teenage self believe. But that does not mean that we cannot work towards it and give it that natural allure. All good things take time, similarly, getting a clear and great skin requires patience and deep care. Instead of investing the big bucks on expensive salon treatments loaded with chemicals and toxins resulting in professional dependence, you can opt for these simple skin-care regimens in your daily lives- accessible in the comforts of your home.

Using the ingredients commonly available in your kitchen, you can make these simple face packs to nourish your skin, giving it that perfect shine.

• Lemon and Sugar Scrub

Mix two tablespoons of lemon juice and sugar. Apply this paste to your face in upward, circular motions- massaging gently as you go forward. Repeat this procedure once a week to achieve a clean and glowing skin in no time.

• Papaya Mask

Take a piece of ripe papaya and mash it into a thick paste. Apply this paste to your face and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water. You will immediately notice that your skin feels more smooth and soft. For a more relaxing experience in the summers, refrigerate the paste before applying. It will work as a coolant.

• Turmeric and Gram Flour Paste

Every bride undergoes the ‘haldi’ ceremony before her wedding. Turmeric or haldi has proven to have amazing results on the skin as it makes the skin glow. To make this paste, mix a teaspoon of haldi/turmeric with one tablespoon of gram flour, commonly known as besan. Add one tablespoon of fresh cream and a little rose water. Mix all these ingredients and apply it directly onto your face. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes or until it dries off. Wash it off with warm water and pat your face dry. This mask has numerous great effects including an instantly glowing skin that lasts for around a week.

• Grape Juice Mask

Grapes are the perfect fruit for your skin. They provide protection against sunburn, reverse the signs of ageing and help in combating an uneven skin tone. Apart from that, this mask would help in lightening your facial scars and makes the skin more soft and supple. All you have to do is, take 4-5 purple grapes and make a smooth paste. You can add some Multani Mitti to the mix to make it sturdier but this step is optional. Apply this syrupy paste with a brush on your face and spread it out evenly. Leave it on for 10 minutes and wash it off with cool water.

• Tomato Pulp Pack

Tanned skin is one of the greatest nightmares for Indian women and men alike. Using sunscreens is taxing due to its greasy finish, so, many times people choose to step out in the bright sun without sunscreen, resulting in tanning. Bidding adieu to tanned skin has never been easier with this simple home-made mask. Take two tablespoons of tomato pulp and one tablespoon of honey. Mixing these ingredients in a bowl, apply this mixture on your face, covering the tanned areas. Leave it on for around 15 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this procedure every day to de-tan in a jiffy.

• Oatmeal Scrub

Oily skin is prone to numerous skin ailments like acne and pigmentation. Finding ways to combat the excessive oil production by our facial pores becomes essential in this case. Oatmeal mask has proven to be beneficial to reduce the oiliness of your skin, making it appear more smooth and flawless. To make this simple yet effective mask, take one tablespoon of oatmeal and mix it with one tablespoon of yoghurt or dahi. Squeeze half a lemon and add it to this mixture. Mix well and apply directly to your face. The lemon might make the skin itch a little, if you have many large pores. Leave this mask on for 20 minutes and wash it off with water post that.

These are a few excellent, easily accessible home remedies for great skin that are readily available in most households. However, the secret to a great skin is also to remain hydrated, eat right, sleep well and exercise frequently. Without these essentials, no face pack / mask would be effective.