Ultra Moisturizing Yogurt and White Tea Face Mask

It's seems a bit overly dramatic when you say that a mask has changed your life (unless we're talking about Covid prevention!) But this face mask to beautify your skin is a miracle in a little yogurt pot! Well we think so anyway. This mask of yogurt featuring white tea with special guest appearance by honey is excellent for when your skin is parched, discoloured, tired- looking and duller than a meeting at the annual cabbage growers association (sorry cabbage growers!)

With thanks to photosforyou at Pixabay

The beauty (no pun intended) of this mask is that it's made with ingredients that could very easily be found in your kitchen. In fact all the ingredients are edible with nothing harsh or unpleasant so it's good for those of you who need to use something that's quite mild. It's also very cost-effective and very easy to whip up and apply. You can use any yogurt you fancy (providing it's not fruit flavoured. But vanilla is fine. Just kidding!) although full-fat Greek yogurt is the one that we've found to be the most suitable for this mask because it's rich, creamy, feels more moisturizing and has better staying power than other types of yogurt so it won't slide off your face and drip everywhere.

Be warned though that white tea isn't as readily available on supermarket shelves as it once was. So if you're fed up of hunting high and low, order it online and go for a high quality organic white tea. But do persevere because it will sooo be worth it!

THE STARS OF THE SHOW

YOGURT

If you're searching for the secret to eternal youth, you really don't have to look another further than the pot of yogurt in your refrigerator. Some of us already know that yogurt can play an important role where gut health is concerned, but yogurt can also be a great addition to your skincare routine. As we all know there are a million and one types of yogurt in supermarket chillers - low-fat, goat milk, plant-based etc. - and they may all have a slightly different effects on your skin but we're going to be looking specifically at Greek yogurt which was the kind that we found to be most effective in this mask.

There are lots of goodies in yogurt - Greek and non-Greek kind that is super beneficial for your skin. The lactic acid, an organic compound, found in yogurt for instance has an exfoliating effect that can help to brighten skin, shrink pores and reduce the appearance of fine lines. The zinc can regulate oil production, while the probiotics have a calming effect on dehydrated skin by boosting cell-renewal and repairing the lipid barrier (also known as the moisture barrier) so it's perfect for sun-damaged skin.

WHITE TEA

Out of the four main 'true' teas (as opposed to fruit or herbal teas) black, green, and oolong, white is the least known and the least studied. But white tea is the least processed and therefore retains a high amount of antioxidants, which makes it an incredibly healthy tea. From the studies that have been carried out, it is believed that white tea can contribute to dental health, weight loss, as well as reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

But with regards to skin health and beauty, white tea has many benefits either taken as a drink or applied topically to the skin. It's totally normal for skins to show signs of aging as we get older but there are certain factors - environmental, lifestyle and internal such as UV damage, smoking, and free radicals- that can speed up the aging process and affect both internal and external aging, which obviously nobody wants!

This is where white tea comes in handy as it may help delay the signs of premature aging, both outside and inside of the body. It's full of polyphenols which have antioxidant benefits, and help protect the body against damage from free radicals.

YOGURT AND WHITE TEA FACE MASK

For Skin Types: All - Dry/Sunburnt/Mature/Aging/Acne/Combination/Sensitive

Not recommended for: Those with dairy allergy - yogurt made with cashew milk may be a good substitute.

Frequency: Once a week but can be used more often if you wish to.

You will need:

I white tea bag - just-used is fine

1 tblspn Greek yogurt

1 teaspoon manuka honey

Rose water

Cotton wool pads/muslin face cloths

This is how you do it:

• Empty contents of tea bag onto yogurt.

• Add honey and combine well.

• Apply yogurt mixture to face and neck in small circle motions in an upward direction. This is good for getting in a bit of exfoliating/massage action!

• Leave on your face for twenty minutes. After this the yogurt should appear less wet and look and feel more 'cakey'.

• Rinse with water.

• Dip cotton wool pads/muslin cloths into rose water and gently wipe all over face and neck.

• Apply your favourite moisturizer.

This mask can also be applied to areas such as feet, hands, and any other part of the body where the skin might be discoloured and in need of hydration.