“Think how lucky you are that the skin you live in, so beautifully holds the ‘You’ within” -Tyler

Emma Coleman, skincare specialist and founder of Inner-Soul Organics, has helped her clients deal with a variety of skincare issues. Here she shares her favourite balancing facial treatments which can be made in your kitchen at home!

1. SENSITIVE SKIN MASK

Suffer from sensitive skin? This incredibly gentle and soothing mask can be used once or twice weekly at times when sensitivities such as eczema, rashes and redness are heightened.

METHOD: Place 2 dessert spoons of dry oats into a bowl or cup and drizzle in the same amount of naturally anti-bacterial honey – this doesn’t have to be the best quality honey, anything you have in the cupboard will work just as well. Stir well and leave to settle in for 5 minutes before delving your fingers in and applying over the face, using finger tips to press lightly onto any areas of concern.* Leave on the skin for 15 minutes maximum, before rinsing off with tepid water and patting the face with a towel.

TIP: If you have an Aloe Vera plant at home you can cut a section off and squeeze a little of the flesh into the mix for extra anti-inflammatory benefit

2. ACNE-FIX GREEN TEA AND SLIPPERY ELM MASK

This mask is packed with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich ingredients and acts on acne pustules and pimples to calm infection, but can also be used as a preventative to halt the blocking of facial pores. Slippery Elm Bark is widely available at Heath food stores.

METHOD: Moisten a green tea bag in tepid water, then tear open the bag and plop the leaves into a bowl. Add 2 teaspoons of the sandy-coloured powder to the leaves and then the same amount of honey. Stir well to form a paste and slather onto the face, paying attention to any pimples, red and inflamed areas.* This mask can be used twice weekly if infection is really bad and should be left on for 15 minutes before rinsing with cool water.

TIP: A poultice can be made by taking a muslin and popping a generous amount of the mask into the centre before folding up, securing and holding against affected areas of skin

3. PORE-REDUCING FACIAL WASH

As enlarged pores and skin with high levels of sebum (oil) tend to go hand-in-hand, this facial wash is designed to get to the root cause of stretched pores, balancing sebum production, deep cleansing skin to prevent pore blockage and toning skin naturally to reduce the look of pores.

METHOD: In a bowl blend approximately 20ml of tepid water with a handful of rose petals – which can be found just about everywhere at this time of year – and 5ml of rejuvenating Sweet Almond oil. Add 2 drops each of Geranium, Lemon Peel and Patchouli essential oils and stir well before allowing the infusion to settle for 5 minutes while you take a moment to enjoy the heavenly scent! This wash is best applied before bed to a makeup-free face with a face cloth, muslin or cotton wool and makes for a relaxing evening ritual*. Massage well into the pores over the top and sides of the nose, across the forehead and cheeks using light, circular motions, and leave in place for up to 10 minutes. Splash well with water to reveal deeply cleansed, toned and balanced skin.

TIP: Using cool water to remove this blend will further tighten facial pores to reduce their size

*Always avoid the eyes and should any skin reaction or stinging occur, remove the mask immediately.

To see Inner Soul’s full range of skincare visit: www.inner-soul.co.uk

Instagram:@InnerSoulOrganicsSkincare