I used to struggle with acne, hence my acne blasting facial mask, but hormone balance has made a world of difference. Every so often some pimples still rear their ugly heads, which is where this exfoliating yogurt face mask comes in. It gently exfoliates, renews, and nourishes for glowing skin.
Liquid Exfoliator
Salt scrubs, sugar scrubs, and even baking soda can be harsh on face’s delicate skin. Exfoliating is a must though to slough away dead skin cells and reveal the healthy, glowing skin underneath. Liquid exfoliants are growing in popularity for their ability to do just that, without being too harsh on skin. There’s a problem though.
Liquid exfoliators rely on natural acids, like glycolic, salicylic or AHA acids, to strip away part or all of the epidermal layer. Skin is exfoliated, blemishes are diminished, and skin regenerates. While these acids are natural, these products have much higher acid levels than what’s found in nature (Kontochristopoulos & Platsidaki, 2017).
Peeling off your face
Some chemical peels can cause swelling, itching, redness, burning, and /or permanent skin color changes. Deep chemical peels use carbolic acid to takes off most of the skin on the face and can cause liver, kidney or heart damage (Mayo Clinic, n.d.).
Stripping off part of your face sounds scary, so why do people do it? There’s a much gentler way to exfoliate, without organ failure risk ! Alpha hydroxy acids, found in dairy products do have some major skin benefits (Kilikita, 2018). AHA helps to:
- Reduce signs of aging like wrinkles and lines
- Improve the appearance of dark spots
- Stimulate collagen to keep skin smooth, firm and with fewer wrinkles.
- Shrink pores
- Treat mild to moderate acne
- Improve acne scars
A natural way to AHA
It’s possible to have the benefits of a liquid exfoliant, without resorting to harsh, isolated chemicals. Yogurt contains lactic acid, the Alpha Hydroxy Acid in some commercial liquid exfoliants. Unlike chemical peels that contain 5-10% lactic acid, commercial yogurt contains about 1% organic acids (Romanowski, 2012).
Homemade yogurt that ferments for 24 hours has a much higher lactic acid content than store bought. As the milk cultures, good bacteria turn the lactose (milk sugar), into lactic acid. The end result is a low sugar, probiotic packed yogurt rich in gut healthy lactic acid (Culture’s for Health, n.d.).
Superfood yogurt face mask
Not only is yogurt beneficial for gut health, but it’s pretty awesome for skin too. Like our gut, skin has its own little eco-system. The skin microbiome needs the same care as our gut microbiome and topical probiotics are a great way to do that. Researchers also found that yogurt protects against sun damage.
Yogurt fermented with lactic acid increases DNA repair and improves skin immunity after UVB ray damage. Over time, eating yogurt and collagen rich foods protect skin from redness and sunburn after UV radiation exposure (Morifuji, 2019).
Like our gut, skin contains trillions of bacteria and fungi that have a symbiotic relationship with us. A healthy skin microbiome helps keep us healthy and wards off infection.
“The microbiome and skin immune system “talk” to each other regularly, dampening inflammation. When the microbiome is out of line the immune system can release various antimicrobial peptides… Likewise, our good bacterial residents can inhibit the release of inflammatory compounds from the immune system.” (Fitzgerald, 2016).
Lemon for skin health
Citrus fruits contain malic, ascorbic, and citric acid, though citric acid is what gives them their tart taste. These acids, like lactic acid, help to gently exfoliate skin. Ascorbic acid is also known as vitamin C and is essential for our skin to make collagen, the main protein in connective tissue.
Even though limes are more sour, lemons contain more vitamin C. When the British Royal Navy took limes on an expedition to prevent scurvy, they found out the hard way that lemons were better suited for the job (Compound Interest, 2014).
Bottled lemon concentrate isn’t as effective as fresh. Researchers found fresh lemon juice contains about 1.44 grams of citric acid per ounce of juice, while bottled only has 1.1 grams (Penniston, et al, 2008).
Camu Camu for collagen power
While lemons contain a good amount of vitamin C, camu camu berry blows them out of the water. With a whopping 760% dv of vitamin C per teaspoon, camu camu is a rich source of this antioxidant. Not only does vitamin C help skin produce collagen for smooth, luscious skin, but it fights free radical damage. Collagen creams contain molecules that are too large for skin to absorb, but trigger the skin to make it’s own collagen can yield impressive results (Compound Interest, 2014).
Which Yogurt is best for skin?
Homemade yogurt that’s fermented for 24 hours will have more beneficial lactic acid and probiotics than store bought. I make yogurt almost every week in our Instant Pot, but I’ve also made it in the oven and crockpot before. I work 2 jobs, homeschool, and have 2 kids (including a toddler) but homemade yogurt is still doable for our family.
There are plenty of easy yogurt making methods that require little hands on time for big results. Homemade yogurt is runny at first, so I strain it through cheesecloth for a few hours in the fridge until thickened.
If you don’t want to use homemade yogurt, then I’d opt for a grass-fed Greek yogurt. Organic Greek yogurt would be next best. Regular organic yogurt is thin and may make for a sad yogurt face mask since it could drip right off.
Exfoliating Yogurt Face Mask
Ingredients:
- 1 and 1/2 tsp yogurt, preferably homemade and strained, or organic Greek yogurt can be used
- 1/2 tsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/4 tsp camu camu powder (optional)
Instructions:
- Thoroughly mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Use your fingers to apply the mask liberally to the face.
- After about 15 minutes remove the mask with warm water and a washcloth.
How to care for your face after a yogurt face mask
While this won’t strip off half of your face like a deep chemical peel, some precautions are sill in order. Skin may be more sensitive to sunlight after exfoliating and more prone to sunburn. It isn’t necessary, but you can follow up the yogurt face mask with a moisturizer, like this homemade rose lotion.
References
- Compound Interest. (2014). Sourness and Scurvy – The Chemistry of a lemon. Retrieved from https://www.compoundchem.com/2014/03/03/sourness-scurvy-the-chemistry-of-a-lemon/
- Cultures for Health. (n.d.). The benefits and perils of a long culturing time for yogurt. Retrieved from https://www.culturesforhealth.com/learn/yogurt/benefits-perils-long-culturing-time-yogurt/
- Fitzgerald, K. (2016). Your Skin Microbiome: Why It’s Essential For A Healthy Glow. Retrieved from https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-23996/your-skin-microbiome-why-its-essential-for-a-healthy-glow.html
- Kontochristopoulos, G., Platsidaki, E. (2017). Chemical peels in active acne and acne scars. Clinical Dermatology. 35(2):179-182. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2016.10.011.
- Mayo Clinic. (n.d.) Chemical Peel. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chemical-peel/about/pac-20393473
- Penniston, K., Nakada, S., Holmes, R., Assimos, D. (2008). Quantitative Assessment of Citric Acid in Lemon Juice, Lime Juice, and Commercially-Available Fruit Juice Products. Journal of Endourology. (3): 567–570. doi: 10.1089/end.2007.0304
- Kilikita, J. (2018). Acids Decoded: What Are AHAs, BHAs And PHAs In Skincare? Retrieved from https://www.elle.com/uk/beauty/skin/a41177/acids-for-skin-benefits-aha-pha-bha/
- Romanowski, S. (2012). The Natural Exfoliator Hiding in Your Fridge. Retrieved from https://www.self.com/story/can-you-exfoliate-with-yogurtYour Skin Microbiome: Why It’s Essential For A Healthy Glow