WHATEVER it takes to get your back from the beyond... do it.

The Persians, Ottoman Turks and our own ancestors understood that good cleansing began with the removal of dead skin cells and other impurities from the outermost layer of the skin. Let us take you back to your kitchen! (For recipes that require you to apply a pack on your back, get someone to lend you a helping hand - your mom, a `maalishwali', or best - your man.

For Oily Skin

Two or three apples, grated

10 tbsp honey

Mix the ingredients together and smooth over your back. Allow the stuff to laze for about 10 minutes, before rinsing off with cool water.

Or

Mix Fuller's Earth ('multani mitti') with yoghurt and cover your back with it. Leave on for about 15 to 20 minutes, before rinsing off with warm water.

For Dry And Sensitive Skin

Take some cucumber pulp, mint paste and mix in some aloe vera juice. Smooth over back and rinse off with water to which a little olive oil has been added.

Anti-Ageing Treatment For Your Back

6 tbsp plain yoghurt

2 or 3 tbsp honey

2 tsp lemon juice

6 capsules of Vitamin E

Combine the yoghurt, honey and lemon juice. Open the Vitamin E capsules and fold the contents into the mixture. Apply all over your back and leave on the skin for about 15 minutes before showering.

For Zits And Blemishes

5 tsp aloe vera gel

2 tsp almond oil

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

4 tsp powdered orange or lemon peel (you need to dry the peel in the sun till it can be easily powdered)

1 tsp ground apricot kernels

Mix all the ingredients well and make a paste by adding a little water. Get someone to apply all over the back, massaging in circular motions. Rinse well after 10 to 15 minutes.

Exfoliate Away!

Use these to exfoliate your back.

* Grind half-cup red masoor dal till fine. Grind half-cup almonds till medium coarse. Mix two to three drops of peppermint essential oil with 1/2 cup almond oil and add a bit of rock salt or sea salt till blended. Add the lentil powder and almonds.

* Mix powdered oats with buttermilk and a little salt. Add 2 tbsp powdered rose petals. Mix the ingredients together and add a bit of essential oil (of your choice).

* Mix powdered orange or lemon peel with some water and get someone to scrub your back gently with this paste. Wash off with cool water. Rub a few cubes of ice to leave your back tingling fresh.

Mix half-cup coarsely ground oatmeal with some honey and enough buttermilk to make a paste. Apply, using your fingertips, in a gentle circular motion. Allow the mixture to dry, before rinsing off with cool water.

Zit Notes

• Remember that zits are most often caused by hormonal changes in your body.

• Zits are territorial to the face, back, scalp and neck.

• Popping, picking or irritating zits will make things worse, and encourage them to multiply!

Fresh And Tingly!

A mixture of ground fresh lemon grass, aloe vera juice and a little milk makes for a great natural moisturiser and skin soother. Good for the back and the soul!

Join the back packers club to relax, soothe and calm your back; a part of the body we tend to neglect otherwise!