Right now is an ideal time to start making your own skin care products. Many of us love to buy those over-the-counter formulas from cosmetic companies. Many of us don’t realise there’s an alternative.Writing this page, I get many emails and queries on the safety of things like aluminum in anti-perspirants and deodorant, and sodium laurel sulfate or coal tar (both purported to be cancer causing) in shampoos. My response is: make it yourself and then you should feel comfortable with what you’ve included.As help, I’ll feature a different skin care product recipe every week through the summer. Every recipe will make use of ingredients easily found in Bermuda and considering the economic climate, ingredients will also be inexpensive.Fennel-thyme face cleanserThere are plenty of dry fennel seeds around the Island at the moment. Whether you stroll along a tribe road, or beach area, it should be easy to spot a fennel plant. Collect about a handful of the seeds and you’ll have more than enough for this recipe.Fennel helps prevent toxic waste from building up in the body. When the seeds are used as an infusion the resulting solution is mildly cleansing and toning for the skin. It can help reduce puffiness and irritation of the skin.Thyme is one of the strongest natural antiseptics (thyme oil is never to be used directly on the skin and never on children) an infusion of it produces a good astringent.2 sprigs fresh thyme, crumbled (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)2 teaspoons fennel seeds, crushed½ cup boiling waterJuice of half a lemonMix the thyme and fennel seed in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Add lemon juice and steep for 15 minutes. Strain the infusion and store the liquid in a jar, in the refrigerator.This toner is very gentle and can be used every day. Dab it on your face and neck with a cotton ball then rinse your face with cool water.