• Astringent
• Refreshing agent
• Skin calmer - soothes irritation and redness
• Moisturizer
• Nourishing agent
• Regenerative
• Antiradical

In the 18th century, a beauty masque made with cucumber seeds was introduced, rinsed off with rose water and used to brighten the complexion. It worked wonders, and as word spread through the boxes at the Opéra and the homes of the nobility, every woman eagerly wanted to try this new method for obtaining a dazzling complexion.

Mask for oily skin

• In a plastic (not metal) bowl, mix two tablespoons of finely powdered green clay into some cucumber juice, made by puréeing some pieces of cucumber in a blender. You should obtain a smooth creamy paste.
• Add a few drops of sweet almond oil or jojoba and apply to thoroughly-cleansed skin.
• Rinse with mineral water, then apply toner.
• One masque a week for a month should perk up your skin and reduce dilated pores.

•  Purée the flesh of a cucumber in a food processor;
• place a towelette or a loosely woven cloth on your face; cover with cucumber pulp and let work for 15 minutes;
• rinse with clear cool water.

If the skin on your forehead is peeling, it's a sign that your skin is thirsty!

• Purée half a peeled, seeded cucumber;
• combine with 45 ml (3 tbsp.) plain yogurt;
• apply to the face and neck; let work 15 minutes;
• rinse with clear cool water.

• Purée half a peeled, seeded cucumber;
• combine with the juice of a quarter lemon and 1 tsp. sweet almond oil;
• apply to the face and neck; let work 15 minutes;
• remove with a cotton pad moistened with rose water.

To learn more about the cucumber, consult The Worldwide Gourmet

N.B. MSCOMM has gathered this information from preventative and natural medicine and from the popular traditions of various countries for your information and enjoyment, but MSComm declines all responsibility as to its use and does not intend that it be used as a substitute for conventional medicine.