What would you do if you found out that the very beauty product, the one that will keep your skin young, fresh and rejuvenated, is sitting idle in your refrigerator, without much attention from you?
Yes, most kitchens are full of nourishing herbs, spices and natural products that are great for your skin. These are not only chemical-free, but very cost effective too, and don’t drill a hole into your pocket, unlike some very expensive creams and serums out there!
We’re talking about yogurt (or curd/dahi) today, a natural milk-based product that has many beauty benefits too, not to mention its health benefits. Apart from its nutritional value, curd can also be applied on both hair as well as skin, in order to keep them highly radiant, acne-free, toned and fresh.
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Watch Quick Precap – Benefits Of Applying Curd (Dahi) On Skin And Hair
Also Read: How To Set Curd/Dahi The Right Way
10 Amazing Benefits Of Applying Curd On Skin And Hair
Indian households have a deep relationship with curd. No refrigerator is complete without a bowl of perfectly set dahi, that has multiple uses for cooking and beauty purposes.
Benefits Of Yogurt For Skin
Here are some of the astonishing benefits of yogurt for the skin.
1. For Fighting Acne
Due to its anti-inflammatory nature and anti-bacterial properties, curd can be most effective in fighting acne. In order for it to do its work, it is applied to the affected area and kept overnight, only to be washed in the morning. Make sure the yogurt you use for topical application is pure, and you are assured of its quality.
2. Reduces Scars And Pimple Marks
After the removal of face acne, you could experience some scars left behind. Many people might wonder whether curd is good for acne scars. These usually take a long time to fade away. However, when yogurt/dahi is mixed with a few drops of lemon – rich in Vitamin C – it can help in getting rid of the marks and make your skin look fresh and supple. Not to mention that with regular use, scars and dark spots on the face do fade away. It further promotes the growth of new cells. In addition, can curd also cure pimples? The short answer is yes. Applying curd on face for pimples is a great remedy.
Due to the addition of a vitamin C rich item, it is advised that while applying it on the face, one must avoid it from getting in contact with one’s eye, as it may sting.
3. For Sunburns
Yogurt acts as a natural reliever for the itchy skin caused by sunburns. Sunburns are caused when are skin is directly exposed to sunlight for a longer period of time. Application of curd soothes the pain and redness caused by burns, as it soothes the burnt area. This property of curd is due to the fact that it is rich in zinc.
4. Helps In Lightening Of Dark Circles
Dark circles can have many causes, such as lack of sleep, oversleeping, ageing, stress, and even dehydration. However, as mentioned before, the anti-inflammatory properties of yogurt help in reducing the puffiness around the eyes, which could potentially reduce the concentration of dark circles, making your face look radiant and fresh.
5. Nourishing For Your Skin
Acting as a natural exfoliator, the lactic acid present in yogurt/dahi, when applied to the skin, is attached to the layer of dead cells on the top and removes them when it is washed off. This helps in revealing a bright and fresh skin.
6. For Tanning
Curd has the ability to treat your skin if it has tanning and blemishes. If you apply 1 tbsp of curd with 1 tbsp of besan along with 2 drops of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of honey, you will get back to your original skin tone. Use this mix regularly for a few weeks and see the changes for yourself.
7. For Dry Skin
If you have dry skin, then curd can be an ideal solution for making your skin smooth as curd has skin-hydrating properties.
Benefits Of Yogurt For Hair
Here are some of the astonishing benefits of yogurt for hair.
8. For Hair Fall
As a protein rich item, yogurt/dahi act as a natural remedy for reducing hair fall as it provides the scalp with all the necessary nutrients, which are required for the growth of strong hair. It is further more beneficial to mix curd with other substances such as honey, as honey’s property of moisturizing soothes the itching scalp further.
9. Removing Dandruff
Due to its natural anti-fungal properties, curd is one of the most efficient solutions for tackling the problem of dandruff, since it is caused by a fungal infection in a scalp that results in flaky skin.
10. For Blood Stimulation
Yogurt/curd has a high content of zinc, which stimulates the blood circulation of the scalp. It also makes your hair healthy and shiny. All you have to do is make a mixture of 1 egg and curd and apply it in your hair and allow it to do its magic for 15 minutes.
How To Make Yogurt/Curd At Home?
Making curd at home is a simple process. You just have to follow a few steps in order to make tasty curd at home.
- Boil milk on a low to medium flame.
- Keep stirring it while boiling to reduce the layers of cream on curd. If you like cream on curd, then don’t stir it.
- When the milk starts boiling, reduce the flame and allow the milk to simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove this milk from the stove and allow it to cool down to lukewarm temperature.
- After it reaches the lukewarm temperature, add the starter to the milk.
- Mix well so that the starter properly blends in the milk.
- Cover this mixture with a lid and place it in a warm place for 6-8 hours and the curd will be ready.
We review products over days, and sometimes weeks, so you can shop better. Read our review of the best packaged dahi to buy.
Face Packs Using Curd
1. Curd, Honey & Lemon Juice Face Pack
You can make a face pack by using 2 tbsp of curd, 1 tbsp of organic honey along with 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice. Apply this paste on your face and let it dry for 15 minutes and then wash it off.
2. Chamomile Essential Oil & Curd Face Pack
In order to treat sunburns, you can mix 4-5 drops of chamomile essential oil with 3 tablespoons of curd and then apply it on the area which is affected. Rub a little, so that the paste does its work and then wash it after 15 minutes.
3. Orange Peel Powder & Curd Face Pack
All you must do is, dry the orange peel and then blend it to get the powdered form. Mix 2 tsp of this powder with 2 tbsp of curd and apply it 3 times a week, on your skin. This helps in brightening of your skin and improves your complexion.
4. Olive Oil & Curd Face Pack
To make this face pack, you can mix 2 tbsp of curd with 1 tbsp of olive oil and apply it on your skin for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, wash off this pack with lukewarm water. This helps you to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
5. Banana, Rose Water & Curd Face Pack
This face pack has 2 tbsp of fresh curd, 1 mashed banana which is small in size and 1 tsp of rose water. Apply this face pack regularly to improve the beauty of your skin.
6. Curd, Turmeric And Besan Face Pack
The quintessential grandma inspired face pack that help remove tanning and make your skin glow. As we all know that turmeric is packed with many health benefits for the body and skin, and is a wonderful ingredient to add to a face pack.
Mix a tablespoon of besan (gram flour) with a tablespoon of curd and 1/4th teaspoon of turmeric in a bowl. Mix and apply this weekly on face and neck for a glowing, blemish free skin. Add honey to this face mask if you have very dry skin. The honey will help moisturize your skin. Once dry, remove it in a circular motion and rinse with water. Pat dry.
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Hair Packs Using Curd
1. For Dandruff
Mix 3 tablespoons of curd with 5 tbsp of fenugreek powder and 2 tbsp of onion juice and apply it on the scalp for more than 60 minutes. Apply this pack once per week and follow the same for 2 weeks and you will get rid of dandruff.
2. For Smooth Hair
To soften your hair, apply a paste of 2 tbsp of curd along with a few drops of honey and lemon juice from 1 lemon. Apply this pack on the scalp, roots and tips of your hair and leave it for 60 minutes before washing. This improves the texture of your hair.
3. For Hair Nourishment
Mix 1 cup of yogurt with half mashed avocado, 1 tbsp of honey, and 2 tbsp of olive oil. Apply it on your hair from roots to tips and wash it off with cold water after 30 minutes. This pack nourishes your hair as it has vitamin E, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
4. For Dull & Damaged Hair
For making this pack, you need a blender. Add 1/4 th cup of yogurt, 3-4 strawberries and 2 tbsp of coconut oil and blend it. After getting a paste, mix 1 egg to this paste and apply it on your hair for 30 minutes. Wash off this pack with cold water, using a natural shampoo.
5. For Dry & Frizzy Hair
Mix 2 tbsp of yogurt and 2 tbsp of quinoa and apply it on your hair to make them smooth and frizz free. For better results, you can also add a few drops of either macadamia oil or raspberry seed oil or sweet almond oil. Apply it on your hair for 30-45 minutes, then wash it off with a natural shampoo.
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Are curd and yogurt the same? Are you confused about the same? No worries, here we listed the key difference between curd and yogurt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here we answered a few FAQs about the effects of apply curd on hairs and face.
1. Is yogurt good for skin?
Yogurt is full of probiotics. It can help reduce inflammation all over the body, including the skin. Eating curd reduces the oiliness of the skin. It also acts as a moisturizer, giving you relief from oily skin.
2. Does yogurt help reduce acne?
Yogurt helps deal with dry skin. However, it has anti-bacterial properties as well, which aids to soothe acne prone skin. The high amount of zinc and lactic acid makes it a cure for acne.
3. Can yogurt reduce wrinkles?
Yogurt contains lactic acid that can diminish the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by tightening and shrinking pores. Tightening of the pores automatically reduces signs of ageing. It has the capacity to reduce many more signs of ageing, such as age spots and lines.
4. Can yogurt reduce the dark spots and dark circles?
Yogurt contains a high amount of lactic acid, which acts as an exfoliator and lightens the skin. It contains vitamins B-12 vitamin D along with the lactic acid, which can remove dead skin cells and lighten the pigmentation of skin. It can age spots as well.
5. Can we apply curd daily on face?
Yes, you can! Curd makes for one of the best ingredients in a face pack. Even though it is safe to apply curd every day, it is recommended to apply face packs twice or thrice a week to maintain the natural oils of the skin. It is essential to choose a face pack according to your skin type – oily, dry or combination.
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Conclusion
Though there might be a lot of health benefits of yogurt/dahi, the beauty benefits of this summer-favorite prove to us that yogurt is our best-friend round the year. Curd is the most cost-effective product that helps and supports our lifestyle.
Disclaimer – This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information before making any dietary changes.
