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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.
Melasma is a specific example of hyperpigmentation. Melasma looks like whole patches of brown or darker skin across the parts of the face and neck. Melasma is common among women who are pregnant - it’s even referred to as “the mask of pregnancy.” But melasma can occur in both men and women who are not pregnant, too. Melasma can be caused by UV damage, but there are also genetic, hormonal, and medication-induced causes for melasma, too.
There are a variety of topical ingredients that can be used to lighten the skin from melasma or reduce its appearance. Each ingredient works in different ways, and each has their own benefits and drawbacks. hydroquinone, arbutin, vitamin C (ascorbic acid, and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, etc) are some of the most commonly used ingredients for melasma treatment.
Hydroquinone is a skin lightening cream that works by suppressing the production of melanin. There are drawbacks to using hydroquinone, however, including cancer risks demonstrated by recent scientific studies, as well as hydroquinone-induced ochronosis.
Arbutin is a synthesized derivative of hydroquinone. It acts as a powerful skin lightening ointment that works a bit differently than hydroquinone. It blocks the production of melanin instead of “bleaching” the skin.
Vitamin C can be used as a brightening agent to lighten the hyperpigmentation of your sunspots or melasma. It works by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase, preventing the formation of melatonin.
Ascorbic Acid is actually the formal scientific name for one form of Vitamin C. It can refer to either a naturally occurring Vitamin C found in foods such as citrus, or a synthetic form of ascorbic acid created to be more shelf-stable for skincare products like discoloration repair lotions and creams.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate is another form of Vitamin C. By synthesizing this compound from Vitamin C, dermatologists are able to give us all the benefits of Vitamin C in a more shelf-stable form that can also be soluble in oil to make more effective, deeper penetrating skin products. (Herndon 2016)
Ingredients in the vitamin A family (ie. Retinol, tretinoin, etc) and acids (glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid) help damaged pigmented skin cells shred faster, so they also help with melasma.
yogurt may be effective for melasma, 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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