The use of milk in skincare goes as far back as the great pyramids of Egypt, when Cleopatra used to immerse in milk to keep her skin soft and feeling smooth.

These days, filling a whole tub full of milk is not cheap, but you can still enjoy the same great effects – albeit on a smaller scale by applying milk only on your dry areas.

For this, regular or even powdered milk works, but if you have it, I recommend whole milk – it’s best for skin since it contains the most fat. Whole cow or goat milk works fine either way.

What it does: Gently softens dry and mature skin.

How to do it: Apply whole milk to the delicate eye area. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes. Wash off thoroughly. (If you have dry skin all over, apply it as a mask.) Its important to rinse your skin cleanly since milk breeds bacteria if its left on skin. So use it fresh, apply it as needed, then make sure to wash it all off.

Why it helps: Whole milk contains natural fatty acids that moisturises and softens skin.

What it does: Moisturises sensitive skin.

How to do it: Mash half of a ripe banana and apply it to clean, damp skin. Leave on for 15-20 minutes. Wash well with warm water. Repeat once a week.

Why it helps: The antioxidant vitamin A and skin-softening potassium in bananas moisturize gently.

What it does: Natural skin moisturizer. Expect softer, smoother skin.

How to do it: Apply honey on clean skin. (An alternative is to mix it as 1 part honey, 1 part milk.) Leave on for 20 ? 30 mins. Wash off thoroughly.

Why it helps: Honey has natural antioxidant properties and anti-bacterial. Its high sugar content and high acidity (low pH) deprives bacteria of the nitrogen needed for growth. The hydrogen peroxide in honey also hampers bacterial growth.