Got a skin problem that’s bugging you? You really don’t need to head to a beauty salon for a facial when you want your skin to heal (well, not always!). With a few ingredients straight off your grocery shopping list, you can achieve a brighter and healthier complexion. These fruits and vegetables are your new beauty therapists.

• If you have dull skin… use banana

Mash up a few overripe bananas and smear them all over your face. Sit with it for approximately 20 minutes then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Your skin will immediately look brighter.

Top tip: If your skin has not been exfoliated for a while, use sugar or salt to scrub away dead skin cells. This brings fresh cells to the surface of your skin. Doing this before using banana will have the best results.

• If you have inflamed skin… use cucumber

Cucumber is a vegetable that contains 96 percent of water so it makes sense to use it when your skin is in need of greater hydration. Grate a cucumber and place it on your face. Since it’s cooling, it’s great for inflammation. And of course, don’t forget to place slices on your eyes if you suffer from those dreaded dark circles!

• If you have zits… use tomato

Tomatoes are great for treating annoying pimples. Cut a tomato in half and rub the juicy side of one half in a bowl of sugar. Then press this sugary tomato on your face and move it around in circles. After ten minutes of letting the mixture rest on your face, wash it off. Tomato helps to freshen up your face while its Vitamin C content is great for zapping zits.

• If you need a natural toner… use orange

Oranges are great for controlling the skin’s oils, so you can use them as a natural and healthy toner during your daily skin regimen. Simply rub their peels over your skin to get rid of dead skin cells and clear away dirt.

*Image courtesy Flickr Creative Commons