DIY moisturizers for dry, oily and mature skin

Ads from the cosmetics industry promise consumers a flawless complexion and perpetual youth if they use their products — but you can do just as well with quick, inexpensive and easy-to-prepare natural formulas.

The appropriate choice of skin care creams or oils depends mainly on your skin type and age — more mature skin requires different care than youthful skin.

• To make a pimple-busting face cream, boil 100 millilitres (3 1/2 ounces) of distilled water with 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) of yarrow. Cool the solution and filter through a fine sieve, before adding 30 millilitres (one ounce) of witch hazel and stirring the mixture slowly into 100 grams (3 1/2 ounces) of Cetaphil cream. Store in a porcelain container in the refrigerator.
• Make an anti-inflammatory cream by pouring 125 millilitres (1/2 cup) of boiling distilled water over 20 grams (2/3 ounces) of pot marigold blooms. Cover and let it cool, then strain through a fine sieve, thoroughly squeezing out the blooms. Stir in 20 millilitres (1 1/2 tablespoons) of almond oil, and blend the mixture with 100 grams (3 1/2 ounces) of Cetaphil cream.

• To treat sensitive, dry skin, mix 125 millilitres (1/2 cup) of cocoa butter, 25 millilitres (two tablespoons) of beeswax (grated), 10 millilitres (two teaspoons) of distilled water, 45 millilitres (3 tablespoons) of sesame oil, 25 millilitres (two tablespoons) of coconut oil and 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) of olive oil. Combine beeswax with water and melt over low heat, add cocoa butter and blend. Gradually add coconut, sesame and olive oil. Pour into a glass jar. The mix will thicken as it cools down.
• Alternatively, stir together 20 grams (2/3 ounce) each of lanolin and petroleum jelly and add two drops each of rose and lavender oil; stir until the cream is smooth. Store in a porcelain container in the refrigerator for up to two months.

• Rose gel will quickly plump up mature skin. Heat about 150 millilitres (2/3 cup) of distilled water and mix in five millilitres (one teaspoon) of powdered gelatin. Stir in five millilitres (one teaspoon) of rose oil and four drops of lavender oil, plus 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) of glycerin. Let the gel cool and store in a porcelain jar.
• A beeswax-based cream will preserve skin's elasticity. Melt 10 grams (1/3 ounces) of beeswax in a double boiler at 60–70°C (140–160°F). Stir in 50 millilitres (1/4 cup) of almond oil, five millilitres (one teaspoon) of jojoba oil, 15 grams (1/2 ounce) of aloe vera and five drops of rosewood oil.

After washing, treat your skin — both morning and evening — with a cream appropriate for your skin type. A day cream will ward off harmful environmental effects. A night cream or oil should help your skin eliminate toxic substances and absorb nutrients. Universal creams can be used in the morning or evening.