Many of our ancestors were blessed with radiant and beautiful skin. If you carefully observed your granny's wizened face, you may still see the luster she had in her years ago. However, in this day and age, scores of young children and teenagers are beginning to have skin problems that are causing them to look tired and haggard.

Yes, many would argue that there are great skin care products available to make a person's skin young and smooth looking. However, previous generations did not have such creams or lotions, yet they remained beautiful. What was their secret? What did they do differently? The answer is simple; they kept away from chemicals and artificial products and cared for their skin in more natural ways.

There are several important things to take note of before using the different recipes and formula to improve the quality of your skin.

The most important thing to note is your skin type. Different types of skin need different types of food or liquids to look good. For example, ingredients like oatmeal, olive oil and aloe are perfect for dry or sensitive skin. Recipes that contain fruits like bananas, strawberries, lemon and vinegar are good for those who have oily skin or acne issues, due to their astringent like properties. People with combination skin type need more complex recipes as they require a combination of both soothing and astringent actions. Thus, identifying your skin type helps to determine the kinds of recipe you should use to get your desired skin.

There are many simple recipes that can be used in your home kitchen to give you glowing, beautiful skin. For instance, if your skin is sensitive, you should use a soft exfoliate with the following recipe:

Mix ½ a cup of cornmeal with ¼ cup milk. To this mixture, add two teaspoons of baking soda and a tablespoon of olive oil. Sprinkle five drops of tea-tree oil into the mixture and apply it on your skin for gentle cleansing.

Did you know that the banana is not only a delicious fruit but also great for removing wrinkles? Well, you can try it and see for your self. Just mash about ¼ bananas until it becomes creamy. Then, apply it all over your face and leave it on for approximately 15 minutes. Wash it off with warm water followed by a quick dash of cold water. Finally, pat it dry and you will gradually see younger looking skin after several runs.

It is said that an apple a day can keep the doctor away. However, very few people are aware that the apple can also keep acne away. To do so, you should grate a medium sized apple and mix it with 5 tablespoons of honey. Then apply it and keep it on for 10 minutes. Wash it off with cold water to reveal a glowing new skin.

Are you going for a party? If so, you should try this homemade facial mask formula that will make your face glow and look radiant. Firstly, mix 1 table spoon each of fuller's earth, mashed papaya, and honey. Then, apply it onto your face and then rinse it off after several minutes. Soon, you will be able to see a glowing complexion after repeating it for several days.

There are many skin care recipes available that are simple and yet, able to make you look like a million dollars. So, instead of spending money on creams and ointments that are full of artificial chemicals, why not invest some time and energy in your own kitchen! You will find yourself looking beautiful, the natural way!