When the dog days of summer call for cooling relief, wise beauties call on cucumber for the coolest ways to nourish and tone skin that may be stressed from exposure to sun and heat.

Cucumber is the perfect treat for summer skin: Reduce that heat-induced greasy feeling, soothe itchiness, tighten pores, reduce eye puffiness, and reveal truly radiant, dewy-fresh skin with the cooling, refreshing ways of cucumber. Here are the easy formulas:

Cucumber Astringent
An easy way to reduce oily shine:
Coarsely chop 1/2 a cucumber, peeled, and place in a blender; blend until smooth. Apply liberally to face and allow to stay on for 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water and pat face dry.

Nourishing Cucumber-Avocado Facial Mask
This magic formula does it all: nourishes, tightens pores, and helps slough off dead skin cells to reveal fresher skin.

Place the following ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth:
1/2 cup coarsely chopped peeled cucumber
1/2 cup coarsely chopped peeled avocado
1 egg white
2 teaspoons powdered milk

Refrigerate for 30 minutes, then apply to face and neck. Leave the mask in place for 30 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Splash cool water on after that, then gently pat dry.

Clear Skin Mask
If you are occasionally troubled by blemishes, this easy mask will help to prevent them.

Place the following in a blender and blend until smooth:
1/2 cucumber, peeled
1 tablespoon instant nonfat dry milk
1 teaspoon plain yogurt

Apply to face and leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

Radiant Facial Treatment
If your complexion is dull and oily, this easy formula will help you look glowing and radiant:

1 teaspoon grated cucumber
splash of rosewater

Apply to face and allow to stay for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Quick Fix for Puffy Eyes
Time-honored because it works:
Slice two thin rounds of cucumber, lie down, and place the cucumber slices over your eyes. Rest for 15 minutes, then remove cucumber.

Two Ways to Reduce Dark Circles Under Eyes
These are great for tightening sagging under-eye skin, too:

1. Apply grated cucumber, either alone or mixed with an equal measure of carrot juice, to area beneath eyes. Allow to stay on for 20 minutes, then rinse with cool water.

2. Mix grated cucumber with milk and refrigerate 30 minutes, then apply to under-eye skin and allow to stay on for 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

Cucumber Body Treatment
If you have sunburn or the “itchies” from bug bites or poison ivy, this is just about the simplest way to find cooling relief that we’ve ever run across. It’s refreshing, draws out the itch, and it isn’t messy:
Cool Cucumber Body Pizza.