What is yogurt in skincare?
Yogurt is milk fermented by live bacterial cultures, principally Lactobacillus and Streptococcus species. Applied to skin it brings three things: lactic acid produced during fermentation, milk fats and proteins, and the bacterial cultures themselves.
The lactic acid is the part with the clearest mechanism – it is a genuine alpha-hydroxy acid, though at concentrations far below a formulated exfoliant. The cultures connect it to the growing field of probiotics in dermatology.
What skin concerns does yogurt treat?
As a mask it exfoliates very gently, hydrates, and soothes redness and irritation – useful after sun exposure or on skin that cannot tolerate active products. The fats condition dry skin.
The probiotic angle is genuinely promising but still early: research on probiotic lactic acid bacteria and skin health points to effects on the microbiome, barrier function and inflammation, though most evidence comes from formulated products rather than a tub from the fridge.
What ingredients are best paired with yogurt?
In a DIY mask it is traditionally combined with honey, oatmeal or turmeric, all of which reinforce the soothing effect. Use plain, unsweetened yogurt – sugar and fruit add nothing and can irritate.
For reliable results, formulated lactic acid delivers the exfoliation at a known strength, and niacinamide with ceramides handles barrier and tone. Anyone with a dairy allergy should avoid it, and it should be rinsed rather than left on. Take our Skin Quiz.
What is melasma?
Melasma is a common form of acquired hyperpigmentation that appears as symmetrical brown or greyish-brown patches, most often across the cheeks, forehead, upper lip and jawline. It develops when melanocytes – the pigment-producing cells in the skin – become overactive and deposit excess melanin into the epidermis, the dermis, or both.
It is far more common in women and in medium to deeper skin tones, and it behaves as a chronic, relapsing condition rather than a one-off mark – which is why management matters as much as treatment.
What causes melasma?
Three triggers dominate: ultraviolet and visible light exposure, hormonal change (pregnancy, oral contraceptives and hormone therapy – hence its nickname, the mask of pregnancy), and genetic predisposition.
Heat, visible light from sunlight and screens, inflammation from harsh products or aggressive procedures, and certain medications all make existing patches worse. Because the triggers are ongoing, melasma typically fades and returns rather than clearing permanently.
What ingredients are best for melasma?
Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen is non-negotiable, and a tinted mineral SPF containing iron oxides is best because it also screens the visible light that drives pigment production.
On top of that, the most evidence-backed actives are tranexamic acid, azelaic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, alpha arbutin, kojic acid, liquorice root extract, retinoids and gentle alpha-hydroxy acids. Avoid harsh scrubs and strong heat, both of which can rebound the pigment. Take our Skin Quiz to build a routine around your skin tone and triggers.
