Put your best face forward to treat blemishes with natural remedies

Natural ingredients are at the forefront of today's skincare research and can be found in many of the latest beauty products. You can achieve the same results using these simple methods.

The ancient Greeks used vegetable-based treatments, while the Romans preferred mineral baths — but both helped heal blemishes. Traditional methods of fighting pimples, spots and blackheads can prove very effective.

There are a number of remedies to help in the battle against acne, as well as reddened, irritated or inflamed skin.

• To calm reddened, irritated skin, use the anti-inflammatory properties of mallow. To make a healing mask, beat one egg white till stiff and infuse with 45 millilitres (three tablespoons) of mallow tea. Apply with a brush, let work for 15 minutes, then rinse off.
• To combat acne, create a yeast mask by crumbling 20 grams (2/3 ounce) of brewer's yeast. Combine with 30 millilitres (two tablespoons) plain yogurt, then mix in five millilitres (one teaspoon) of honey. Apply the mask to your moistened face, and rinse thoroughly after 20 minutes.
• To treat inflamed skin, a liquid made of 10 millilitres (two teaspoons) of stinging nettle (from a health food store) and 250 millilitres (one cup) of boiling water will help. Steep for 10 minutes and wash the affected area three times a day with the cooled broth.
• Before consumers began to rely on drugstore products as allies against acne, people dabbed natural remedies onto pimples several times a day. The best-known ones include thyme oil, raw potato slices, lemon juice and freshly-cut garlic cloves.

Follow these tips to help prevent the outbreak of pimples.

• Refresh your skin daily using mild cleansers.
• Thoroughly remove makeup every night, and avoid any products that contain oil.
• Limit sun exposure and use appropriate sunscreen.
• Monitor your diet. Determine whether alcohol, nicotine, coffee, black tea, and fatty foods fuel your breakouts.

A weekly deep cleansing of the pores can soothe blemished skin. Here's what you will need:

• 30 ml (2 tbsp) chamomile
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) peppermint
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) thyme
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) horsetail
• 3 L (3 qt) water

  In a large bowl, pour boiling water over the herbs and let steep briefly. Cover your head with a towel and carefully hold it over the bowl for 10 minutes to let the steam open up your pores.