Published: 13/07/2010 by Kaboose

The next time you’re longing for the spa, head to your kitchen instead. Chances are it’s stocked with the necessities you need to make many problem-solving beauty and skin-care treatments, masks and scrubs. All you need are a few minutes and a handful of everyday ingredients. You may never look at your fridge the same way again!

DRY HAIR
The treatment:
An avocado hair mask. Thanks to its high fat and protein content, “avocado is very nourishing, just the thing for taming frizz,” says makeup artist David Goveia, who's beautified the likes of Kate Moss and Cameron Diaz.
What you need:
Half of a ripe peeled avocado, one egg and two tablespoons of wheat germ oil. (You can also substitute wheat germ oil for olive or castor oil.)
Making it:
In a small bowl, mash the avocado until it's smooth. Then add the egg and oil and blend well.
Using it:
Massage the mixture to dry hair, starting from the ends up. Once you've applied it all, cover your head with a shower cap or small plastic bag, grab a book and set the timer for 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and shampoo out. Note: You can increase the conditioning benefits by wrapping a warm, moist towel around your head while you wait.
How often to use it:
For dry and damaged hair, once a week will help get it back on track. If it's normal to oily, twice a month is recommended.

DRY PATCHES ON KNEES, ELBOWS AND FEET
The treatment:
A coffee, sugar and vanilla scrub. “Coffee has strong antioxidant properties,” says makeup artist Diana Carreiro, who’s worked on celebs like Chantal Kreviazuk and Mira Sorvino. Because of this, it’s a good choice for the rougher skin on your body, while sugar works as a light manual exfoliator to smooth skin. Vanilla extract adds a soothing scent for at-home aromatherapy.
What you need:
A quarter-cup of olive oil, one teaspoon of vanilla extract (non-artificial extract is best), half a cup of fresh coffee grinds and one cup of sugar.
Making it:
In a small glass or ceramic bowl, combine olive oil and vanilla extract. In a separate medium bowl or plastic container, mix grinds (use them within 20 minutes of brewing for maximum benefits) with sugar. Add the mixtures together, blending into thick paste.
Using it:
In the shower, let skin soften under warm water for 5-10 minutes. Scoop out a small handful of the scrub and massage it in circular motions from your limbs to your heart to increase circulation. Rinse and follow with a gentle shower gel to remove excess residue. Note: Do not use this scrub on your face or on any broken or sensitive skin.
How often to use it:
Once a week is best for regular skin, says Carreiro. If your skin is quite dry and bumpy, twice a week is recommended.

OILY SKIN
The treatment:
A milk of magnesia mask. Goveia recommends using this absorbent liquid because it's great for drying out oily skin. It always works for spot treating blemishes, and can even reduce shine when used as primer for foundation.
What you need:
Milk of magnesia.
Using it:
Give the bottle a shake before smoothing on a thin layer with either a cotton ball or makeup sponge. To use as a mask, let it dry on skin for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water. If you're using it on pimples or as a primer, let it dry completely before applying makeup. Both Goveia and Carreiro swear by this easy, at-home trick.
How often to use it:
You can apply this daily as a primer, and once a month as a mask.

SENSITIVE / COMBINATION SKIN
The treatment:
An oatmeal-egg mask. Egg yolks contain water and fat – good for moisturizing dry patches – while soothing oatmeal calms inflamed areas.
What you need:
A third of a cup of whole, uncooked oatmeal and one egg yolk.
Making it:
In a blender, grind the oatmeal into a fine powder. In a small bowl, blend the powdered oatmeal with the yolk into a paste.
Using it:
Apply mixture to clean skin and leave for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.
How often to use it:
Twice a month.

DRY SKIN
The treatment:
A honey-yogurt mask to rejuvenate parched skin. The lactic acid in yogurt gently exfoliates, while honey helps draw moisture to the skin, says Carreiro.
What you need:
One teaspoon of brewer's yeast, a quarter-cup of plain yogurt and three tablespoons of honey.
Making it:
In a small bowl, mix all ingredients with a spoon until well blended.
Using it:
Before applying the mixture, prep skin with a warm, damp cloth for a few minutes. Smooth the mixture on skin and leave for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Note: Putting these leftovers in an airtight container will keep them fresh for up to 48 hours.
How often to use it:
Once a week.