How to Make a Yogurt Face Mask

Yogurt face masks are wonderful at moisturizing and calming irritated skin, and they may even help fight acne. Its fatty, creamy consistency and characteristic probiotics—the same beneficial bacteria recommended for your digestive health—make yogurt an ideal ingredient for any face mask or even applied to your skin on its own.

Yogurt can contain a variety of "good bacteria"; specific formulations will vary, but to be considered probiotic they are all required to include Streptococcus thermophilus, which is helpful against acne.

Applying soothing face masks once or twice a week will help keep your skin at its best. And making your own clean beauty products helps you avoid harsh chemicals and preservatives, unnecessary packaging, and food waste.

How to Choose the Right Yogurt for Your Face Mask

You can use pretty much any type of yogurt to make a face mask (although it makes sense to avoid yogurt drinks as they are so liquidy). However, Greek and Icelandic-style yogurts, which are strained to remove water, are the best choices. This is simply because they are thicker yogurts, so they're easier to spread onto your skin and don't drip as much.

Importantly, opt for plain, unflavored yogurt for your face mask. You don't need fruit flavor, vanilla, or sweetened yogurt for your face, and in fact, you should avoid these for skin treatments. If you already have flavored yogurt in the fridge you want to use, you could try scooping some from the top of the container if it's a fruit-on-the-bottom type, but if it's pre-mixed, it's a no-go.

Also, avoid custard-style, squeezable, or more processed options. Your best choice is plain Greek yogurt, which shouldn't be too hard to find. If you don't like unflavored yogurt and want to eat the rest of the container that you don't use for your mask, simply mix in some jam, fresh fruit, or honey to make it more like what you usually enjoy.

Non-Dairy or Non-Cow's Milk Yogurts Are OK

If you're allergic to cow's milk, you may be able to substitute goat's milk or sheep's milk yogurt if your lactose allergy isn't too severe (but ask your doctor first). You can also use non-dairy yogurts for this mask, as they still include calming and moisturizing ingredients and should contain probiotics (check on the side of the container). If there is a thicker-style option for these yogurts (some coconut milk yogurts have extra-thick versions), opt for the thicker varieties.