Yogurt is one of the more successful remedies for treating acne naturally. Yogurt is both dietary (as in you eat it) and a topical (meaning it can be applied) remedy as it possesses many antibiotic properties. Using it both ways strengthens your immune system (and digestive system) and at the same time kills bacteria within tiny hair follicles that cover almost every part of your body. Yogurt not only serves as natural astringent, but also it provides essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals to your skin.

Why does yogurt treat acne?

Yogurt is created by bacterial fermentation of milk, bacteria present in milk converts sugar (lactose) into lactic acid increasing the acidity (pH: 4 to 5). To find out why the pH is important please refer to a my earlier post. ph balance.

Before and After the results of a latic acid chemical peel

As yogurt is fermented milk that has lactic acid instead of lactose sugar found in ordinary milk. Most people are lactose intolerant as lactose disturb their digestive system. A malfunctioning  digestive system can lead to  stimulated sebaceous glands that ultimately results in acne breakouts.

It is a common myth that yogurt may increase infection anywhere within the body as it is full of bacteria, but in this case the bacteria is a good form of it. Yogurt has been widely used for hundreds of centuries as cuisine and medicine for common ailments. As yogurt is acidic in nature, it destroys bacterial colonies within hair follicles that cause infection, inflammation and stimulate sebaceous glands to produce excessive sebum. Certain bacteria are extremely susceptible to higher acidic pH and as a result get killed. If you don’t like the idea of yogurt or it is not readily available to you try lemon juice instead.

Yogurt contains nutrients like zinc, vitamin B that is required for healthy epithelial tissues. Your hair follicles are soft tissues that need lots of vitamins and oxygen to replace themselves with new ones repeatedly. Therefore, including yogurt in your diet is useful.

How to use yogurt for treating pimples, papules and pustules?

Simply go to the grocery store, or health food store and find the most natural, organic yogurt available. When you read the labels you want the one with the least amount of ingredients and with no sugar. Then apply all over the face like a mask and let dry for ten to fifteen minutes, rinse off with water. Do this one or two times a week and many people see a big difference within a week.

You can also use yogurt to help lighten dark under eye circles, click here for how.