The humble tomato is known throughout the world through its many different varieties. Beyond its benefits as a food, its vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants provide many additional health benefits; one area where it is especially valuable is its ability to aid in healthy, glowing skin.

Tomatoes are a great addition to a regular beauty regimen, no matter in adding moisture, fighting acne and adding radiance. Learn how you can work the magic in different ways.

How to Use Tomato for Glowing Skin

Honey, Tomato and English Clay Mask

The natural tomato is the perfect ingredient for the most simple of face masks, as the nourishing properties of vitamins A, C, and K will enhance your skin. Daily use of this mask will slough away dead skin cells from the skin’s surface, leaving it clear and radiant. This basic tomato mask should be made fresh each day. Prepare this daily facial mask as follows:

• 1 tablespoon natural (organic) tomato juice
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon English clay powder

Mix all ingredients together to form a paste that is easy to spread on the skin using the finger tips. If it is too thin, simply add a little more clay. For exemplary results, exfoliate the facial skin before applying the mask. Leave the mask on for approximately 15 minutes until it has dried and is starting to crack; then wash it off with warm water for a glowing and healthy skin. The tomato will brighten the skin while the honey purifies and the clay cleanses the pores to draw out blackheads, dirt, microscopic bacteria, and other damaging elements of everyday life.

Tomato and Aloe Vera Cleanser

The natural acids, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals found in tomatoes also have great cleansing properties that remove makeup build up, dirt, and dead skin cells and neutralize oily areas of the face. One can simply use natural tomato juice, but by combining equal parts of both organic tomato juice and aloe juice, you will receive an ideal facial cleanser that is more gentle to the skin.

One warning when using this cleanser: It may be a bit astringent to sensitive skin, so when first trying this mask, try it on a small area first. If it stings, causes redness, or irritates in any other way, add more of the soothing aloe juice. Apply a small amount to the face with a face cloth before removing the cleanser with warm water; the skin should appear brighter and feel squeaky clean.

Tomato and Cucumber Juice for Oily Skin

Tomatoes are a perfect ingredient for combating oily skin, as the acids in tomatoes help to control an oily build up in the skin’s pores – especially around the so-called T-Zone (the area covering the middle of the forehead and the nose). Astringent tomato preparations are also useful in clearing up acne and pimples.

To combat oiliness and clear pimples and acne, mix together:

• 2-3 teaspoons of natural tomato juice
• A few drops of natural cucumber extract

Using a cotton wool ball, gently cleanse the skin with this mixture, ensuring that the entire face is properly covered. Repeat with new balls of cotton wool until there are no traces of grime, dirt, or oil on the skin. Use this recipe on alternate days to alleviate excessive oil build up or blocked pores.

Tomato & Salt Face Mask for Acne

For those of you who are looking for natural acne cure, applying tomato juice, combined with salt, works in treating acne and pimples.

Tomato and Coconut Water for Sun Protection

One of the tomato’s most important elements is lycopene, a powerful antioxidant which is able to rehabilitate sun damaged skin and, with the help of its vital vitamins A, C and K, protect it from further damage. Although fresh tomatoes have a healthy amount of lycopene, cooked tomatoes in any form (such as pureed, paste, and even ketchup) have a more concentrated amount. The ingredients for a sun protection preparation using tomato juice are:

• 1 cup natural tomato juice
• 1 cup natural coconut water

Combine the two ingredients and put the combination in a spray bottle to take to the beach or for use whenever you are in the sun – simply give the bottle a good shake before spraying the liquid on all areas of the skin that receive sun exposure; especially the face. The skin will absorb the mixture in approximately one minute.

Milk and Tomato Cleanser/Peeling

In addition to vitamins K, A, and C and antioxidants, tomatoes contain folic acid, magnesium, potassium, and other trace elements which, when combined with the lactic acid in milk, create a mild peeling and cleansing solution. For this facial cleanser and peel in one, mix together:

• 1 ripe, red tomato
• 5 fl. oz fresh whole milk

Chop the tomato into a blender or food processor until smooth; then push the pulp through a very fine strainer, saving the juice and discarding the remaining pulp. Measure the amount of tomato juice and add an equal quantity of milk.

This cleanser will keep for as many as six hours prior to use if stored in the refrigerator. For best results, use this recipe once or twice a day by applying it to the face and neck with cotton wool balls; let it sit for approximately 10 minutes; then remove all traces with cool water and pat dry. Please note that this preparation is for use only on oily or combination skin – it is too acidic for sensitive skins. If in doubt, dab some on the inside of your wrist before applying it to your face to test for a reaction.

Tomato and Oatmeal Toner

Older skin will benefit greatly from a toner made of oatmeal and tomato. With age, skin loses some of its elasticity and shows signs of stress and damage from the polluted world we inhabit.

To make a natural cleanser and toner in one, mix together peeled and chopped fresh tomatoes with oatmeal; the tomato will freshen the skin, while the oatmeal has a tightening effect which makes skin appear younger and brighter.