Yoghurt — a fermented dairy product — can be used to sweeten your recipes, eaten as a snack or be used in dips. Although it is best known for its edibility, thanks to its versatility, yoghurt can also be used to benefit your skin in the form of a face mask.
Adding yoghurt to your list of beauty products is an affordable home remedy to consider. Health Shots, an information hub dedicated to women’s health, shares, “When you incorporate yoghurt into your skincare routine, it ensures that your skin looks beautiful and radiant.”
Health and wellness publication Healthline states that using plain, unflavoured yoghurt is the way to go. However, not all types are created equal.
“Regular cow’s milk yoghurt contains more calcium than other varieties. Greek yoghurt, on the other hand, has a thicker texture due to the absence of the amount of whey that other types have, making it easier to apply to the skin,” notes Healthline. “If you have a cow’s milk allergy, there are other options to consider. These include plant-based yoghurts made from almond and coconut milk, as well as goat’s milk yoghurt.”
Below are five potential benefits of using yoghurt as a face mask.
1. Delays signs of ageing
If used regularly, yoghurt can slow down the signs of ageing, states Health Shots. As mentioned in Science Direct Journal (as reported by the previously-mentioned health hub), yoghurt includes bioactive peptide fractions that have antioxidant effects. “These characteristics aid in the fight against free radicals, which would otherwise hasten the ageing process.”
2. Brightens the skin
Health Shots shares, “Yoghurt has lactic acid which prevents the formation of tyrosinase. Tyrosinase is an enzyme that produces melanin, which darkens your skin tone.”
3. Can treat some inflammatory skin conditions
Probiotics have anti-inflammatory effects that can aid in treating inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema, according to Healthline.
4. Helps fight acne
The above-mentioned health and wellness information portal states that probiotics are also thought to help fight P. acnes bacteria, a leading cause of inflammatory acne lesions.
5. Exfoliates the skin
Cosmetologist and trichologist Dr Meera Adhikari shares the following with Health Shots: “Yoghurt contains lactic acid, which may aid in cleaning, exfoliating, and increasing skin cell turnover. Plus, lactic acid does not cause skin irritation when eliminating dead skin cells, according to a 2015 study published in the Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research.”
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