I remember back when I was a young child the day I discovered my parents were in their 40’s.
“Wow, that’s so old,” I had thought.
It was as if my parents were senior citizens in my mind. Now that I’ve crossed well over into my 40’s, I have a different view of how not-so-old 40-ish seems.
Unfortunately, the body has a mind of its own and doesn’t stay as young-looking as we may feel. As we age, our face begins to reveal the signs of aging.
But good news! We do have some control over how quickly these signs begin to show.
Staying youthful-looking longer begins with eating a healthy, clear skin diet and then adding an all-natural skincare regimen. This regimen needs to provide extra moisture as well as exercises to tone and tighten the facial muscles.
One of the best ways to provide moisture to the skin and reveal a youthful glow is by using an all natural face mask. But not all masks are created equal, so be sure to select an anti-aging mask that provides the specific benefits your skin needs.
The best all natural face mask I’ve found for aging skin (or not!) is very inexpensive and versatile. You can find it in any grocery store and it has many uses.
What is it?
Yogurt.
Yogurt is full of calcium, protein, vitamin D, and probiotics (you know, those little healthy bacteria that aid digestion). And not only does it provide wonderful benefits to your insides, it’s a beauty wonder for your skin as well.
Just how good is it for your skin?
Benefits of using yogurt on your skin
The reason why yogurt gives you glowing and youthful skin is because of all of the nutrients it contains. And using it as a natural face mask provides the following benefits:
- prevents premature aging
- fights acne
- moisturizes and hydrates the skin
- brightens the skin
- lightens blemishes and scars
- reduces discoloration
- exfoliates
- gets rid of dark under-eye circles
- soothes sunburns
One of the main ingredients in yogurt is lactic acid which is also one of the key ingredients in several commercial skincare products. It’s an alpha-hydroxy acid which dissolves dead skin cells as well as stimulates the cells to renew faster.
Yogurt works as a gentle exfoliate which not only gives you a natural glow and prevents breakouts, it also works to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Yogurt contains potent antioxidants that prevent free radicals from damaging your skin. And the nutrients in yogurt can delay wrinkles and fine lines from developing when used regularly as a mask.
The zinc present in yogurt helps to lighten blemishes and scars while also brightening the skin tone. It also reduces inflammation in the skin and lessens the amount of oil produced by the sebaceous glands. And by mixing yogurt with lemon juice, you can reduce blotches and age spots.
Using yogurt as a natural face mask
The simplest recipe for a yogurt face mask is simply applying about a tablespoon of plain yogurt (preferably organic and full-fat) to clean skin and letting it sit on your face for about 20 minutes. You can use this mask three times a week or even daily.
For more specific needs, however, try mixing one tablespoon of yogurt with the following ingredients:
More Moisture and a Natural Sheen: Add 2 teaspoons of grated carrots to the yogurt and apply to your face. Or add one tablespoon of honey. Allow it to sit on face for 20 minutes before rinsing.
Oily Skin and Discoloration: Add a squeeze of lemon juice to the yogurt before applying to your face. Let it sit for up to 20 minutes before rinsing with cool water.
Uneven Complexion: Add 1/4 tablespoon of Fuller’s Earth (also known as Multani mitti) and one beaten egg white to the yogurt. Mix to form a paste and then apply. Leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Reduce Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Add about a teaspoon of olive oil to the yogurt. Apply for 20 minutes, three times a week.
Exfoliate: Add one to two teaspoons of quick oats to the yogurt and massage into face for 2-3 minutes. Let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing,
Prevent Acne Breakouts: Add 1/2 teaspoon of raw honey and 1/2 tablespoon of green tea. Let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing.
Some notes of precaution: if you have sensitive skin, you may experience a slight tingling sensation after applying the mask. You may have to reduce the amount of time you allow the mask to sit on your face.
If you have ultra-sensitive skin, you can experience a stinging and burning sensation. It that occurs, rinse face mask off immediately with water. If you’re allergic to dairy or alpha- and/or beta- hydroxyl acid, you are, unfortunately, unable to use yogurt as a face mask. You may fair better with a natural anti-aging face scrub.
Otherwise, a yogurt face mask can be applied two to three times a week–or daily if you wish. It will leave you with soft, supple skin and will help you save on the high cost of beauty products.
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