YOGURT FACE MASK: PURPORTED BENEFITS, DIY RECIPES, AND MORE

Yogurt is one of the widely loved beverages. It has attracted a lot of attention due to its health benefits. Plain yogurt is now gaining popularity due to its potential skin benefits and various significant nutrients. The skin benefits attached to yogurt include keeping it moisturized all the time. However, before including yogurt as one of your daily skincare routines, understand the risks and benefits of being involved. Confirm the ingredients to ensure it is safe for consumption. Different yogurts contain unique ingredients suitable for improving your skin's health. Which type of yogurt is suitable for a daily skin routine?

Types of Yogurts

Although yogurts are not manufactured equally, it is best if you consider them unflavored or plain for a safe face mask. Other varieties of yogurts have less calcium compared to ordinary cow's milk yogurt. One of the best yogurts is Greek; it has an exclusive thick texture due to the absence of too much whey. This makes it easier for skin application. What happens if you are allergic to cow's milk? What are the alternatives you can go for? There are other alternatives including plant-based yogurts from coconut milk, goat's milk, and almond.

Purported Skin Benefits of Yogurt

Meri & Pratita (2021) explained that different types of yogurt face masks have unique functions. Some are manufactured for improving the skin's texture, moisture balance, and skin tone. The specific function differs with the types of ingredients infused in the yogurt face mask to maximize specific benefits. Some of the suggested health benefits of yogurt face mask include;

Maintaining And Adding Moisture

Moisture is an important aspect of an individual's skin that can’t be ignored when you are considering your daily skincare routine. Any face mask covers the skin preventing it from rapid loose of water that makes your skin dry and results in cracks in your face. Holding water maintains the moisture around your face by minimizing water loss.

Protection From Ultra-violent Light

UV light and free radicals are among the top threats to the skin that results in early aging. According to Kober et al. (2015), yogurt is useful in reversing aging spots on your skin from sun damage. Also, it is seen that yogurt minimizes the side effects of UV rays. Also, yogurt might neutralize free radicals and act as a barrier for the skin, reducing the risk of damage induced by UV rays and free radicals. This works against early aging and age spots.

Improved Elasticity

The skin elasticity fades with age. The skin elasticity is naturally promoted by collagen, which is lost due to aging. Collagens are proteins promoting skin elasticity and keeping it healthy. According to Yeom Gyoseon et al. (2011), yogurt might improve the elasticity of your skin. The use of an organic yogurt skin mask works best in improving the elasticity of your face and your general appearance.

Reducing Wrinkles and Fine Lines

Early aging of the skin is quite disturbing if you wish to find the most effective and rapid solution. An increase in elasticity is among the major way to minimize wrinkles and fine lines on your face. According to Kober et al. (2015), yogurt probiotics protect against the signs of early aging.

DIY Recipes

There is various use of yogurt in improving your skin's health and appearance. It can either work independently or alongside other ingredients, specifically for skin issues. However, the procedure you use in applying a yogurt face mask plays a vital role in its effectiveness. Before applying it, always wash your hands thoroughly to minimize the chances of bacterial contamination, which might lower the effectiveness of the yogurt. Also, wash the face and leave it to dry for about 15 minutes before applying the face yogurt.

Consider the following DIY recipes;

1 tsp honey, ½ cup of yogurt, and ½ ground turmeric for oily skin or inflammatory

¼ cup yogurt, 1 tbsp of aloe vera for irritated skin

One cup of yogurt and a few drops of lemon juice

Alternatives

A yogurt face mask is not the only ultimate solution for improving the look on your face. You can also consider the following DIY options;

• Turmeric face mask to reduce inflammation and skin conditions such as psoriasis and acne
• Avocado face mask for a dry skin
• Olive oil and lemon juice for oily skin
• The oatmeal face makes for soothing and irritated skin
• Aloe vera for dry, acne-prone, and burnt skin
• Green tea mask for aging and dry skin

The Drawbacks

It might be difficult for people with allergies to traditional milk as they can be forced to look for better alternatives such as plant-based or goat’s milk formulas instead, which might not be that easy to find. However, before applying a yogurt face mask, you might need to consider carrying out sampling either around the elbow or at a small portion of your skin to determine the possible outcome first; the process is referred to patch test. Kisielinski et al. (2021) this process should be conducted 24 hours before actual application to avoid any adverse side effects from the face mask. Although this one doesn't have a clinical setting trial, another drawback might be the clogging of the pores by the yogurt.

How To Determine the Best Yogurt Face Mask

Before buying any yogurt face mask, there are various factors to consider for getting the most effective one that would yield the desired impact than harming your face. Pay attention to the ingredients used. Avoid yogurt face masks with too many artificial ingredients since they might lead to a chemical reaction that would damage the skin and give it a better look.

Conclusion

Yogurt is one of the perfect ingredients used in a DIY face mask for perfect results. Yogurt is useful in balancing the moisture of your skin giving it a better look among other benefits. Numerous clinical trials are backing up the suggested health benefits of including yogurt in any face mask. However, there is a need for more research to ascertain the purported effectiveness of topical use of yogurt. Before using it, consult a dermatologist, especially if you are trying to treat a specific skin condition. Also, talk to a doctor if the yogurt face mask fails to deliver the suggested health benefits or harms your skin rather.

References

Kober, M. M., & Bowe, W. P. (2015). The effect of probiotics on immune regulation, acne, and photoaging. International journal of women's dermatology, 1(2), 85–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijwd.2015.02.001

Kisielinski, K., Giboni, P., Prescher, A., Klosterhalfen, B., Graessel, D., Funken, S., ... & Hirsch, O. (2021). Is a mask that covers the mouth and nose free from undesirable side effects in everyday use and free of potential hazards?. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(8), 4344.

Meri, M., & Pratita, A. T. K. (2021). Hedonic Value Of Purple Sweet Potato’s (Ipomoea Batatas L) Yogurt During The Covid-19 Pandemic. Science Midwifery, 10(1, October), 58-63.

Yeom, G., Yun, D. M., Kang, Y. W., Kwon, J. S., Kang, I. O., & Kim, S. Y. (2011). Clinical efficacy of facial masks containing yogurt and Opuntia humifusa Raf. (F-YOP). Journal of Cosmetic Science, 62(5), 505-514.