Overview

Before you shell out the cash for the latest commercial acne treatments at the pharmacy or on late-night TV commercials, check out the arsenal of ingredients you already have in your kitchen. Fresh produce works inside and out to give you great skin, and baking soda proves that it's not just for cakes and cookies. Give yourself an inexpensive at-home facial to unclog your pores for only a few cents.

Step 1

Make your own exfoliating cleanser out of baking soda. Dump a quarter-sized amount in the palm of your hand and add warm water to form a paste. Massage it over your face in a circular motion with your fingertips, paying special attention to areas with blackheads. If your skin is sensitive, you can mix in a few drops of honey to moisturize as you scrub away dead skin cells.

Step 2

Cut a tomato into thin slices and lay them over your face, or scoop out the pulp and spread it on. The citric acid in tomatoes can help to draw impurities from the pores. Leave the tomato on your face for 15 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.

Step 3

Boil a pot of water while relaxing with your tomato mask. Remove the pot from the stove after you rinse your face. Add a few drops of tea tree oil, a natural astringent and antiseptic that can help treat acne blemishes. Drape a towel over your head and steam your face for 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 4

Wrap your index fingers in tissue and gently squeeze the blackheads from your pores. The tomato and steam will have made them soft enough that this should be easy, but be gentle.

Step 5

Slice a lemon in half, squeeze the juice onto a cotton ball and wipe it across your face to dry up any excess oil and tighten the pores.