Face up to it

If you can't afford an expensive facial, why not do it yourself? Maika Endo, co-owner of Kocoon Spa, explains how

What you need

Your regular make-up remover, cleanser and moisturiser

 -One bowl of peeled and de-seeded pureed cucumber with a pinch of lemon juice

- A quarter of a cup of oatmeal mixed thoroughly with a single teaspoon of honey (add more honey for a thicker consistency)

- Steaming hot water

- Two ripe bananas mashed with one tablespoon of honey (add more honey for a thicker consistency)

- Cotton pads soaked in some milk in the fridge

- A large towel

Step 1 De-rouge

Use your make-up remover to take off your foundation, eye shadow and other cosmetics.

Step 2 Cleanse

Apply your regular face cleanser to remove the day’s dirt. Be sure to massage your face gently throughout. Rinse with water and finish off with a final splash of cold water, which will help to wake up the skin and also tightens up your pores.

Step 3 Tone

Soak the cotton pads in the cucumber mix and apply them gently to your face, making sure you cover all the skin. Cucumber soothes and softens the skin, and it also has a cooling effect, which makes it great for use after a sun tan. For a deeper cleanse, use your regular toner before applying the cucumber puree.

Step 4 Exfoliate

The oatmeal and honey mixture is a great natural exfoliant. Honey is very healing and de-sensitising, while the oatmeal works to slough off dead skin. If the oatmeal is a bit too rough for your liking, you can pop it in the microwave with just a bit of water before mixing in the honey. When you’re done, finish with a warm water rinse, using damp cotton pads to wipe everything away. Things can get messy so you might want to consider doing this over the sink or in the bath.

Step 5 Steam

The steam is an essential facial step, and one of the easiest to do at home. Heat water over the stove or in a bowl in the microwave. Don’t boil it; it only needs to be hot enough to generate 15 minutes of steam. Hold your face in the steam, placing a towel over your head and around the bowl to make sure that no steam escapes. It’s best to use a wide mixing bowl and a big towel.

Step 6 Face mask and eye treatment

I’ve got a lot of home recipes for masks, but the banana one is great. Bananas are rich in potassium and vitamins A, B6, E and F, so they make an excellent moisturising mask for dry or mature skin; the milk cotton pads are great for combating puffiness. Lie down and spread a towel under your head and neck for an easier clean-up. If you have a pair of fl at earmuffs, throw them on as well – mushy stuff seeping into your ear canals really isn’t pleasant. Apply the banana mask to your face, and place the milk cotton pads over your eyes. After 15 minutes, remove the eye pads and rinse the mask off with water.

Step 7 Moisture

Apply moisturiser to your entire face, avoiding the area around the eyes. It’s best to massage and apply your cream in a lifting motion. Finish off by pressing the cheeks, forehead, and chin with the fl at of your palms for a fi nal, deeply penetrating push into your skin. Interview by Sherisse Pham