Back to basics: 3 cheap beauty buys that work wonders on your skin

Remember when you were a kid and cleaning your face pretty much involved being scrubbed with a flannel? Yeah, those days are long gone. Nowadays it seems like there is SO much we should or could be doing to our faces - scrubbing (not with a flannel), exfoliating, moisturising, toning, cleansing, oiling, shaving (apparently it makes you look younger but we don't recommend it - unless you need to) - but sometimes less is more. Beauty regimes might take a little more effort as you get older, but at least you can do it on the cheap if you want to. Here, we've gone back to basics and rounded up three products we consider beauty must-haves for your bathroom cabinet. 1. Coconut oil It doesn't look particularly fancy, but then neither does flaky skin. This awesome stuff is cheap AND it's work. You might even have some knocking around in one of your kitchen cupboards (you can cook with it too - you probably already know this), but if not you can buy it in supermarkets, or online, or pretty much anywhere. Once you've got a pot, just slather the stuff all over yourself - face, body, hairline, wherever you're flaking - before you go to bed and wake up as soft as a baby's bum. Magic. Did I mention it's also cheap? 2. Cellulose sponge These bad boys are dirt cheap and will leave you squeaky clean. Good eh. They're also very gentle for cleansing, so are ideal for sensitive skin. Derived from plant pulp, these earth-friendly sponges show respect for the planet and your skin by gently washing away dirt, oil and make up to leave a clean and fresh complexion. They're so good at what they do that you'll feel like you've just had a facial, when really you've just spent a few quid on a sponge from your local chemist. 3. Epsom salt Epsom salt isn't just for treating sore, tired muscles. It can also be used as a homemade beauty treatment to exfoliate your body and revive your skin. Get to work on dry patches with an epsom salt body scrub by mixing two cups of the stuff with 1/4 cup of petroleum jelly and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Ideal for feet that have seen better days. You can also mix 1/2 tablespoon of epsom salt into cleansing cream, then massage on skin and rinse with cool water before moisturising for a dewy complexion. Again, this is a cheap and brilliant beauty buy that you can get from loads of places - supermarkets, chemists, online.