Truth is, not everyone has the dough to spend on hundreds of dollars worth of over-the-counter beauty products (I know I don’t.) So are we hopeless? Not quite, because if you are smart enough to check out VoxTalk for tips, we are going to give you some good ones — three do-it-yourself beauty remedies to be exact. They are not only easy to manage (chances are the ingredients needed are lying in your fridge right now), but also dirt-cheap!

The only thing is, bear in mind the old saying of “Never cook with wine you wouldn’t drink,” meaning while you don’t have to be all organic and wholesome with the ingredients you choose, don’t opt for any spoiled ones either! I promise it will reflect on your skin.

Photo courtesy of Stock.xchng

1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

Purpose: Makeup removing and cleansing

What: Extra virgin olive oil (should be available at any grocery stores, or online; just make sure it is “extra virgin!”)

How:
- Soak your cosmetic cotton rounds or washcloth with EVOO
- Gently remove your makeup (keep your face dry during the process)
- To cleanse, warm up the oil in your palm and gently massage the oil into your skin for a minute
- Because of the organic and nourishing nature of EVOO, feel free to leave it on for longer

Why: EVOO, which is a kind of oil that results from pressing olives without the use of heat or chemical treatments, contains phytochemical that would otherwise lost in the refining process; it also has the same pH value as human skin. Now, the misconception that oil clogs your pore—well, regular oils do; but EVOO’s molecules are too big to fit in your pores. In fact, the right kind of oil actually can dissolve sebum and bacteria. Hence, replacing the dirty oil on your face — known as “like dissolves like.”

2. Papaya Mask

Purpose: Brightening and exfoliating

What: Ripped papaya

How:
- Cut a slice of papaya and remove the seeds and pulps
- Rub the papaya against your cleansed face
- Focus on age spots such as crow’s feet, neck and temples
- Let it dry for 15 to 20 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water

Why: The enzymes in papaya (AHAs) are frequently used as an exfoliant to dissolve dull surface cells (dead skin), repair sun damage and is best for sensitive and dry skin because of its gentle nature. It also helps increase blood circulation and thus contribute to a better complexion.

3. Lemon Yogurt Mask

Purpose: Tightening and whitening

What: Lemon + Plain Yogurt (plain only)

How:
- Stir two table spoons of plain yogurt with one table spoon of fresh lemon juice together
- Apply to your cleansed face and neck
- Let it dry for 15 to 20 minutes and rinse with cool water afterward

How: This recipe is best for oily and blemish-prone skin types — although make sure there are no cuts or inflammation on your face when applying this mask because the acid will irritate the already sensitive, open wounds. Otherwise, lemon juice is very effective when it comes to drying up pimples and fading acne scars due to its antibacterial nature.

Lemon’s active ingredient citric acid also breaks down the protein that binds dead skin cells together, which makes this mask a great remedy to uneven skin tone. On the other hand, yogurt also has anti-bacterial property but is nourishing at the same time.