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Yogurt is a milk-based, edible ingredient created by the fermentation of specific microorganisms found in milk. It is an excellent probiotic, which means it’s good for your stomach when eaten – and what’s good for the inside is good for the outside! But did you know that you can also use yogurt topically, in the form of a face mask, to reap several skincare benefits?
Yogurt contains some wonderful creams and fats which can have a moisturizing effect on the skin, and the probiotics and lactic acid in it make it excellent for fighting skin problems like clogged pores and acne. Lactic acid acts as a chemical exfoliant, expelling dead skin cells and encouraging clear pores. In addition, a yogurt containing probiotics can help keep minor bacterial infections and acne at bay.
There are some drawbacks of using yogurt topically. Firstly, the fats present in some yogurt can be heavy and can clog your pores, and negate the exfoliating properties of the lactic acid. Also, if you use yogurt too high in lactic acid or leave it on for too long, it can trigger an acne flare. In addition, there is concern that because many dairy products come from cows that have been treated with hormones, applying products laced with hormones onto your skin could disrupt your hormone levels, and even worsen hormonal acne. Research with yogurt as a skincare ingredient is still ongoing and controversial. The best way to know which ingredients to use in the right combinations and concentrations for your particular skincare goals is to take our Skin Quiz here.
Pores are itsy-bitsy openings in the skin—and there are millions covering every millimeter of skin. There are two types of pores with different functions: sweat pores and oil pores. The sweat pore allows moisture, produced by sweat glands, to exude out to the surface of the skin, where it helps to cool the body in response to heat, exertion or fever. Sweat pores are so tiny, they are mostly invisible to the human eye.
The oil pore, on the other hand, is a bit larger. Oil pores are also known as hair follicles because these pores produce oil from the sebaceous glands, but they are also the openings from which hair emerges. The oils help to keep our skin and hair healthy. It is the oil pores that can get clogged with sweat, debris and other gunk, causing acne, blackheads and whiteheads. Sweat pores rarely get clogged, as they are so tiny.
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical agent for fighting bacteria and unclogging pores. It is one of the longest-used medications to keep pores clean and healthy. Jojoba oil and rosehip oil are also good for reducing inflammation, fighting bacteria, and keeping in moisture for healthier skin. Ingredients that help exfoliate dead skin cells and increase new skin cell production, such as Vitamin A/Retinol, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid, are good for keeping pores unclogged as well.
yogurt may be effective for clogged pores, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.
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