Billions. That is the number of dollars that Americans spend on hair and skin products yearly, fueling their money into bottles of lotions and conditioners that are often swirled with harmful chemicals. Fortunately, there are numerous revitalizing hair and skin remedies that you can find in your own kitchen cupboard, the ingredients of which are nourishing, natural, and wallet-friendly.

Here are some fabulous skin care recipes that will soothe tough acne, soften skin and hydrate you with natural components.

Milk And Honey Face Wash

You’ve heard about Cleopatra, right? Rumor is, her famous complexion took some work. Her secret was bathing in milk and honey every day. Both of these are excellent moisturizers, and since honey is antibacterial, it’s perfect for managing acne. Also, whole milk is a soothing toner for the skin.

I recommend washing your face with warm water first to open your pores, ensuring the acne causing bacteria be released from your skin. Then, mix about one tablespoon of whole milk and two tablespoons of honey together in a small bowl. Gently apply the mixture onto your face, massaging it in in slow circles, with either a soft cloth or your fingers.

After thoroughly working the honey and milk into your skin, rinse your face with cold water, allowing your pores to close up again. Dab your face dry, and if you want, consider using a little bit of moisturizer so that the water doesn’t dry your skin out. This may take a few days to see results.

Lemon Juice Cleanse

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Or use a great facial cleanser. Lemon juice is a very popular acne solution, with its disinfecting, exfoliating and skin lightening properties. The acidity helps to eliminate dead skin cells, and kill the pimple-causing bacteria. Lemon juice also actively eliminates scars and spots on your skin, breaking up that pesky skin pigmentation.

Once again, always start with warm water and a gentle wash. After, take a few tablespoons of lemon juice in a cup and use a few cotton balls to apply. You can either use it as a full face cleanser, or merely dab the juice on pimples and scars. Let the juice sit on your skin for as long as you can, for this will maximize the effect it has on your skin. If you do this at night, it is advised you leave it on overnight, and wash it off with cool water in the morning.

Tea Acne Soother

Sometimes, you just want to curl up on the couch with a good book and a mug of tea. Chamomile, green, and spearmint tea are common favorites, but not just for their tasty health benefits. Tea is a fantastic acne reducer, with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.The oxidative properties in the tea prevents pore clogging, and the anti-androgenic nature prevents the hormonal imbalance that triggers acne.

Brew a cup of tea, whether chamomile, green or spearmint, and let it cool until it is room temperature. Wash your face with warm water and a dab of soap, just to clean your skin. Then apply the tea with either a washcloth or a cotton swab, covering your entire face. Let the tea do its work, and keep it on for at least 10 minutes. After, you can gently wash it off with cool water and pat your skin dry with a towel. If you have a tendency for dry skin, dab a little moisturizer on too.

What will go best with your clear glowing complexion? Sleek, hydrated, healthy tresses that shine with natural oils and revitalizing nutrients.

Avocado and Olive Oil Conditioner

When avocados come to mind, the mental image of guacamole and chips always follow suit. But this nutrient laden superfood also makes for a creamy, stimulating conditioner. Avocado stimulates hair growth, prevents split ends, strengthens the strands with vitamin B, and revitalizes dead hair. It also has moisturizing effects to give your locks a shiny glow.

All you need to make this conditioner is two ingredients: an avocado and two tablespoons of olive oil. You can add some honey too if you want, but it is optional. Blend this together in a bowl into a smooth paste, with no chicks and even consistency. Then dampen your hair with water and apply the mixture. Massage into your scalp and cover the hair completely, making sure to coat the ends thoroughly. Cover with a shower cap and let this sit on your hair for 30 minutes. After this, wash the mixture completely out of your hair, then shampoo and condition as you normally do.

Banana and Egg Hair Mask

These ingredients sound like the beginning of a baking recipe, but in fact they are the beginning of strong healthy hair. Bananas are known for being rich in potassium, which restores hair elasticity that prevents breakage, and are packed full with vitamins and minerals for your hair to absorb. In addition, the protein from the eggs strengthens your locks by filling in the weak spots of the hair strands.

First, you need to blend one banana and an egg together. If you have oilier hair, use only the egg white, but for those with drier hair, use just the yolk. Also, you could add a tablespoon of honey or olive oil if you like. Dampen your hair with water, then apply the mixture. Coat all of your hair with it, working it through to the ends of your hair. Cover with a shower cap and let sit for about 20 minutes, then wash it out with shampoo.

Coconut Oil Treatment

Coconut oil. Uses range from a sweetener in coffee to a main ingredient in lotions, and all the way to treating allergy symptoms. Yep, coconut oil can do it all. So it comes to no surprise that this magical extract will help your tresses too. Coconut oil is rich in antioxidants, and had antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties that will improve the health of your scalp and support the natural growth of hair. Deeply nourishing, it will also hydrate brittle hair into sleeker, shinier locks.

To do this treatment, you must melt three tablespoons of coconut oil in a saucepan, along with one tablespoon of honey. Once this is done, wet down your hair thoroughly, then generously apply. Focus on sections of hair that need work, and massage the mixture into the strands. Let this soak into your hair for at least 30 minutes, whether with a shower cap on or you hair tied in a bun.