Breakfast and a beauty product? That’s yogurt for you. Plain yogurt is loaded with probiotics and calcium, vitamin D and protein, making it a dynamic good-for-you snack that benefits your body immensely. But did you know yogurt also makes a mean mask, fights zits and can help relieve a sunburn? Here are our nine favorite ways to use yogurt as a beauty product for your face, hair, feet and nails
Yogurt For Skincare:
Yogurt in DIY facial treatments and masks can address a variety of issues. It contains lactic acid, which can help cell turnover and exfoliation. This in turn helps noticeably reduce fine lines, acne and even discolorations.
- Soothe Sunburn: If your vacation has left you red as a lobster, take a handful of yogurt and mix with a few drops of chamomile essential oil. Spread all over the sunburnt area and let it sit for 10 minutes. The cooling sensation is immediate and skin is moisturized and protected with the yogurt’s antibacterial properties.
- DIY Mask For Acne-Prone Skin: Mix one cup Greek yogurt with three drops of olive oil and a tablespoon of honey. Apply to face and leave on for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse and pat dry. This also is a fabulous anti-aging treatment.
- Homemade Spot Treatment: It’s easy with plain, organic yogurt in the fridge! Simply dab your cotton swab in the yogurt and apply directly to the blemish. You can leave on for 30 minutes or overnight.
- Moisturizing Mask: Clean your face completely before slathering on a generous layer of plain yogurt on your face and neck. Leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse off. Do this two to three times a week for radiant, smooth skin.
- Skin Toner: By regularly applying yogurt to your face either on areas with discolorations or sunspots, you can effectively reduce the pigmentation in the area. Take three tablespoons of yogurt and mix with a healthy squeeze of half a lemon. Apply to the skin and let sit for 30 minutes.
- Tighten Pores: Spread a teaspoon of plain yogurt evenly over the face. Let sit for 15 minutes then rinse with cool water. Your skin will feel tight, so moisturize immediately following.
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Yogurt For Hair:
- Soothe An Itchy Scap: For aggravated heads, take a full container of yogurt and apply to your wet hair, working into the scalp. Let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing fully. The active cultures are known ot help alleviate itchy, dry scalps and can even stop dandruff.
Yogurt For Hands and Feet:
- Moisturizing Hand Soak: Your homemade manicure can be intensely moisturizing if you soak your cuticles (and as much of your hands as you want) in the following mix: take 1 Tbsp of honey and 1 cup of yogurt and mix completely. Then let hands sit in the bowl for 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly and applying polish.
- Yogurt-Walnut Foot Scrub: Winter feet need some serious TLC. You can make your own walnut foot scrub by mixing ½ cup of ground walnuts (if you don’t have walnuts, substitute with brown sugar) with 1 container of plain yogurt. Apply all over feet, focusing on the heels and outside step. Rinse thoroughly.
