I recently discovered the idea of a yogurt face mask, and I have to admit, I found it pretty gross at first! But if it actually makes your skin look good, then that's a "yum" from me!
So, does it work? Does it reduce wrinkles or make your skin perfectly smooth and glowy or anything awesome like that? Well, here's what I found out…
Yogurt is a Probiotic
As you probably already know, yogurt is an example of a healthy probiotic.
Many studies show that probiotics can help skin stay younger longer — and not just by eating them, but by applying them to the skin, too! This is because they restore the pH of your skin, strengthen your skin barrier, and can even undo oxidative stress on the body.
If you're thinking, "Oxidative stress, I've heard that before but can't remember exactly what it is…" Basically, it means that free radicals are no good for your skin. Free radicals are these molecules that run around "free" but are missing an electron. So they try to steal an electron from an atom of your skin, which hurts your skin on a cellular, DNA level.
Why is all that relevant to a yogurt face mask??
Well, we need to find a way to stop these molecules from doing damage to your skin, and good bacteria does just that!
Ask the Experts
And don't just take my word for it, let's ask a doctor! According to Dr. Joshua Zeichner from Mount Sinai Hospital, "By helping to restore a healthy balance of bacteria, probiotic skin care may help support skin’s optimal functioning as it ages, which may translate into fewer lines and wrinkles."
So yes, it turns out that yogurt is not only good for you to eat, but also great for your skin. In theory, this is true for all fermented foods, like sauerkraut and kombucha.
But we're sure you’d rather have some yogurt on your face if you had to, rather than sauerkraut and smell TERRIBLE…Your skin would still be beautiful, but no one would want to be around you! 😉
If you're still not completely sure that a DIY yogurt face mask is going to be worth it for you, consider this:
Back in the good old days before processed, sugary foods were a thing — AND before we started overwashing our skin by showering once or twice a day — the layer of bacteria on our skin and the balance of that bacteria didn't have that many problems.
But everything from too much sugar in the diet, to antibacterial products like soap, has disrupted the natural balance of the skin bacteria. And so that's why it's even more important to try a solution that can restore the pH balance of the bacteria on your face.
So slap on that yogurt — natural and plain/unsweetened!! Your skin will thank you. And then you can eat the rest of it!
