How to Make a Yogurt Face Mask

Co-authored by Diana Yerkes

Last Updated: March 20, 2024 Approved

Yogurt is incredibly healthy, but did you know that it is great for your skin as well? Yogurt is naturally exfoliating, so it will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. It is also hydrating and brightening, so it can be used to even out skin tone.^{[1]
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Diana Yerkes
Skincare Professional

Expert Interview. 16 April 2019.} You can always just smear yogurt over your face and call it a mask, but you can get even more out of it if you add extra goodies, such as honey, cinnamon, or cocoa powder. The best part about yogurt masks is that they are completely natural and organic, so you don't have to worry about putting any chemicals on your face!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making a Basic Yogurt Face Mask

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Drop 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt into a small bowl.^{[2]
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Research source} Try to use full fat Greek yogurt; it will be much more moisturizing than 2% or fat-free yogurt. Avoid using any flavored yogurts, as they contain too many sweeteners and other added ingredients.
- Yogurt is great for the skin because is it naturally exfoliating, brightening, and hydrating.^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Diana Yerkes
  Skincare Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 16 April 2019.} It also helps lighten dark spots and reduce blemishes.^{[4]
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^{[5]
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Research source} Keep stirring until the honey is mixed evenly throughout the yogurt. Honey is one of the best things you can put on your skin. It is naturally moisturizing and anti-bacterial. It will help hydrate your skin while managing acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties.^{[6]
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Diana Yerkes
Skincare Professional

Expert Interview. 16 April 2019.}

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If you are wearing a nice shirt, it might also be a good idea to drape an old towel across your chest and shoulders. Washing your face with warm water first helps open up your pores and make the mask even more effective.
If you have any mask left over, you can also apply it to your neck. You can apply the mask using just your fingers. For a more spa-like experience, gently brush the mask on using a foundation makeup brush.
^{[7]
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Research source} The mask will start to dry and before "flaking" during this time, which is fine. The mask will still be doing its "job" hydrating and moisturizing your face.
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Rinse the mask off using warm water, then splash your face with cool water to tighten the pores. Gently pat your face dry with a clean towel afterwards. Your skin may feel a little stiff and tight after this mask; if this is the case, apply some moisturizer afterwards.^{[8]
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- Use a yogurt mask with oily skin. Yogurt makes an excellent mask if you have oily skin because it has tightening properties that don't dry the skin out.^{[9]
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  Diana Yerkes
  Skincare Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 16 April 2019.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Adding Other Ingredients for More Benefits

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1
Exfoliate your skin with a honey-and-oatmeal yogurt mask. In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon of each of the following: honey, finely-ground oatmeal, and yogurt. Apply the mask to your face and wait 15 minutes, then rinse it off using warm water. Splash your face with cool water afterwards.
- Oatmeal is a natural, but gentle, exfoliant.
- If you can't get ground oatmeal, you can grind your own using a blender or coffee grinder.
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Brighten your skin by adding some strawberries to the mask. In a small bowl, mash together 2 ripe strawberries using a fork. Add 1 teaspoon of honey and1 teaspoon yogurt, then stir to combine. Apply the mask to your face, and rinse it after with warm water after 15 minutes. Splash your face with cold water to seal your pores afterwards.
- Strawberries are naturally brightening and lightening.
- For something a little more exfoliating, add ½ teaspoon of finely-ground almonds.
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Make an avocado-and-olive oil yogurt mask for extra moisture. In a small bowl, mash one-fourth of a ripe avocado using a fork. Stir in 1 teaspoon of yogurt and 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Spread the mask over your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Wash the mask off using warm water, then splash your face with cool water to tighten the pores.
- Avocados and olive oil are naturally moisturizing and hydrating.
- For a hydrating and antibacterial face mask, use honey instead of olive oil.
- Olive oil can clog pores. If you are worried about this, try jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil, or sweet almond oil instead.
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Add some cocoa powder for anti-aging benefits. In a small bowl, briskly mix together 2 teaspoons of yogurt, 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder, and 1 teaspoon of honey. Spread the mask onto your face, then wash it off after 15 minutes with warm water. Splash your face with cool water afterwards, and apply some moisturizer, if desired.
- Cocoa powder has natural anti-aging properties. It will help prevent sun damage and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
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Wake your skin up in the morning with a coffee-based mask. In a small bowl, mix together 3 tablespoons of yogurt, 2 tablespoons of ground coffee, 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, and 1 tablespoon of honey. Apply the mask to your face. Wait 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse it off using warm water. Splash your face with cool water when you are done.^{[10]
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- Coffee helps tighten your pores and reduce oiliness, puffiness, and swelling.
- Cocoa and coffee both have anti-aging and detoxifying properties.
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Reduce puffiness and add a healthy glow with a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg. Combine 1 tablespoon of yogurt with 1 teaspoon of honey. Stir in a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg, then spread the mask over your face. Wait 7 to 10 minutes, then was the mask off with warm water. Splash your face with cool water afterwards to seal your pores.
- Cinnamon is not only naturally antibacterial, but it also gives skin a healthy glow.
- Nutmeg will plump the skin, thus reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.^{[11]
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Add some lemon juice for a brightening effect. Mix together 1 tablespoon of yogurt and 2 to 3 drops of lemon juice in a small bowl. For extra moisture and hydration, add 1 teaspoon of honey. Spread the mask over your face, and wait 10 to 15 minutes. Wash the mask off using warm water, then splash your face with cool water to tighten your pores.
- Lemon juice is a natural skin brightener. Some people find that it can also help reduce acne and blackheads.^{[12]
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- Another option for your mask is turmeric. Turmeric can make your skin yellowish if you prepare it wrong, but if you use a recipe from a reputable source, turmeric makes an excellent mask. Don't use the mask too frequently — once a week is good. Turmeric doesn't dry out your skin and it has anti-inflammatory properties.^{[13]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Diana Yerkes
  Skincare Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 16 April 2019.}

Expert Q&A

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Question

Can I apply a yogurt face mask every day?

Diana Yerkes
Skincare Professional
Diana Yerkes is a Skincare Professional and the Lead Esthetician at Rescue Spa in New York City, New York. With over 15 years of experience, Diana helps others with their skin care needs by incorporating natural and high-performing products and treatments into their routines while providing nutrition insights and educating clients on better skin care habits. Diana is a member of the Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) and holds certifications from the Wellness for Cancer and Look Good Feel Better programs. She received her esthetics education from the Aveda Institute, the International Dermal Institute, and the Biologique Research Academy.

Diana Yerkes

Skincare Professional

Expert Answer

Once a week or so should be good. Don't do it too frequently. Oily skin can be treated with masks more frequently, about two to three times a week. Yogurt can be good for oily skin due to its tightening properties.

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Can I make this mask and keep it in the fridge? If so, for how long?

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You can, but yogurt tends to separate when mixed with other ingredients. You should probably just make enough for one use at a time. If you have extra, let someone else do a mask or use it yourself within a day or two.

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Does it matter what kind of yogurt I use?

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Yes You should use plain yogurt, preferably Greek and full fat; it will be richer and more moisturizing. Avoid any flavored yogurts, such as strawberry or vanilla; they may smell pretty, but they also have added sugars that aren't good for your skin.

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Yogurt is great at relieving sunburns; it has a naturally cooling effect on the skin. Apply some yogurt to a sunburn, then wash it off after 10 to 15 minutes with cool water.^{[14]
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For a super simple face mask, simply spread plain yogurt over your face. Leave it there for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing it off.

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Full fat, organic, Greek yogurt will give you the best results, but plain, in-organic yogurt will work just as fine.

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Warnings

Make sure you are not allergic to any of these ingredients before putting them on your face.

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Do not use face masks containing lemon in the morning. Lemon juice makes the skin extra sensitive to sunlight and you could end up with a bad sunburn. Even if you wash the mask all off, there is still a chance that you might have some residue.

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