Let’s learn to pamper our skin! Sometimes our cosmetics really have too many ingredients, and not all of them are beneficial, in fact they are often the cause of so many problems such as acne, blackheads, wrinkles, gray and dull skin. But we can make some small cosmetics by ourselves, using only simple ingredients to give the skin what it really needs. A very beneficial substance is lactic acid.
Lactic acid and its cosmetic properties
Lactic acid is, as reported by the US Food and Drug Administration, one of the most common alpha hydroxy acids used in cosmetics together with glycolic acid to fight acne, skin blemishes, scars, but also to make the skin smoother and to counteract wrinkles and crow's feet. On the basis of scientific studies, topical application of products containing lactic acid has been shown to increase skin firmness, to reduce the signs of aging, to improve elasticity and the skin texture (Smith et al, J Am Acad Dermatol, Sep 1996 - Tran et al, Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol, Dec 2014). In addition to this, lactic acid acts as a mild exfoliating agent, thus helping tissue renewal, reducing the thickening of the superficial layer of the epidermis, that causes acne, and attenuating dark spots by inhibiting the tyrosinase enzyme activity responsible for the production of melanin, the pigment that determines the color of the skin (Castillo et al, Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol, Jul 2018). In commercial cosmetics, alpha hydroxy acids are generally obtained from beetroot or fruit. Instead, we can benefit from the action of lactic acid simply by using yogurt or quark!
DIY beauty recipes, face masks with yogurt and quark
For example, try to mix a tablespoon of quark, 1 teaspoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of marigold oil (optional), and 2 drops of carrot essential oil. Apply this mask on the face and neck and leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse and the skin will immediately appear brighter and renewed. This treatment, if applied with continuity 1-2 times a week, also helps counteract acne, scars, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.
DIY beauty recipes, scrubs with yogurt and quark
Alternatively, why not make a scrub? Mix one natural yogurt and 4 tablespoons of whole cane sugar, if you intend to apply this scrub also on the face, or 3 tablespoons of sea salt, if the scrub is only for the body, and massage gently until the sugar or salt have melted, then rinse with water for a soft and radiant skin.
DIY beauty recipes, luminous skin with a milky bath
And how about a milky bath? Mix 1 glass of milk, possibly whole, 2 tablespoons of quark, 2 teaspoons of honey and 4-5 drops of lavender essential oil. Pour into the hot water, shake and mix to dilute the lotion. Stay in the water for a quarter of an hour. The skin will be soft and velvety.
DIY beauty recipes, cleansing milk, even in case of acne
And for a cleansing milk, mix 2 tablespoons of natural yogurt, excellent also kefir, and 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil. Alternatively, in the case of acne-prone skin or oily skin, mix 2 tablespoons of yogurt or kefir, 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil, 1 tablespoon of clay and 1 tablespoon of thermal water or also rose or lavender water, mix. The product should be kept in the fridge for 4-5 days. You should massage the milk on the face and neck and then rinse with warm water.
