10 Natural Ways To Use Yogurt For Irritating Oily SKin

Last Updated: April 11, 2018

Oily skin is referred to an unattractive shine, dull colored skin, coarse skin texture, and enlarged pores. It is caused due to overactive sebaceous glands that produce excessive amount of sebum. The sebum accumulates on the outer layer of the skin and clogs the skin pores that lead to the development of pimples, acne and blackheads.

Oily skin needs special care and attention to keep it squeaky clean at all times and control sebum production. Thankfully, there are a number of natural home remedies such as yogurt that can be used to treat oily skin and prevent excess oil accumulation on the skin surface.

Is Yogurt Useful for Oily Skin?

• Mineral zinc present in yogurt possesses mild astringent properties that shrinks the open pores and reduce the oiliness of the skin.
• Lactic acid and alpha hydroxyl acid present in yogurt works as a natural exfoliant that helps to unclog the pores and cleanse away the impurities from the skin surface.
• Yogurt helps to moisturize the skin and prevents the sebaceous glands from becoming overactive.

How to Use Yogurt for Oily Skin?

Yogurt can be used in several ways to treat an oily skin. We have assorted them below for your convenience.

1. Yogurt Face Pack

Plain yogurt containing active cultures can be used alone as a natural treatment for oily skin.

• Take 2 tablespoons of fresh yogurt in a bowl.
• Whisk the yogurt thoroughly using a fork.
• Apply it evenly all over your face and neck.
• Leave it on for 30 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.
• Repeat the application daily.

Note – Strain the yogurt through a cheesecloth if it is too runny.

2. Yogurt and Turmeric Face Pack

Turmeric regulates the production of sebum by the sebaceous glands. Its cleansing properties help to remove dead skin cells and dirt from the skin surface.

• Take 2 tablespoons of yogurt in a bowl.
• Add a tablespoon of freshly crushed turmeric root to it and mix with a spoon.
• Apply this pack evenly on your face and leave it on for 30 minutes.
• Wash off with lukewarm water followed by a mild cleanser.

Note – You can also use turmeric powder instead of fresh ground turmeric root. If you are using turmeric powder then use only 1/2 teaspoon of it for this remedy.

3. Yogurt and Honey Mask

Honey helps to absorb excess moisture and oil from the skin while its humectant properties prevent the skin from drying out. Antibacterial and antiseptic properties of honey reduce the problem of pimples and acne associated with oily skin.

• Take 2 tablespoons of fresh yogurt in a bowl.
• Add 1 tablespoon of honey to it.
• Whisk the ingredients thoroughly using a fork.
• Apply the mask evenly on your face and neck.
• Leave it on for 30 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.

Note – It is recommended to use raw, organic honey for effective results.

4. Yogurt and Lemon Face Pack

Vitamin C present in lemon juice makes it a powerful natural astringent that shrinks the open pores and helps to reduce the oiliness of the skin.

• Take 2 tablespoons of fresh yogurt and add 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice to it.
• Apply this pack to your clean face and neck.
• Leave it on for 20 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.
• Follow the process 3 times in a week.

Note – It is best to use fresh lemon juice for this remedy, because the level of nutrients in the lemon juice reduces over the time.

5. Yogurt and Cucumber Face Mask

Cucumber helps to moisturize and soothe the skin without making it oily. Its astringent properties close the open pores and reduce oiliness.

• Grate 1/2 cucumber and add 2 tablespoons of fresh yogurt to it.
• Whisk the ingredients with a fork.
• Apply this mixture to the face and neck evenly.
• Leave it on for 30 minutes and then wash off with water.
• Repeat the process 3 – 4 times in a day.

6. Yogurt and Oatmeal Scrub

The saponin present in oatmeal exfoliates the skin, removes dead skin cells and sucks away excess oil from the skin pores.

• Take 3 tablespoons of yogurt in a bowl and whisk thoroughly.
• Add 2 tablespoons of oatmeal to it and mix well.
• Apply this mixture to your face and neck.
• Massage for 5 minutes with your fingertips.
• Leave it on for 15 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.
• Repeat the process 3 times in a week.

7. Yogurt and Tea Tree oil Face Pack

The cleansing and astringent properties of tea tree oil help to remove oil, dirt and dead skin cells from the skin surface while its astringent properties help to reduce the size of the open pores.

• Take 2 tablespoons of yogurt in a bowl and whisk it thoroughly.
• Add 5 to 8 drops of tea tree oil and 1 tablespoon of water into it.
• Mix it with the help of a spoon and apply this pack evenly to your face and neck.
• Wait for 20 to 30 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.
• Follow this treatment 3 – 4 times in a week.

8. Yogurt and Tomato Juice Face Pack

Acetic acid present in tomato juice restores the natural pH balance of the skin which in turn helps to maintain the oil balance and prevent excessive sebum production.

• Take 2 tablespoons of fresh yogurt and add a tablespoon of fresh tomato juice to it.
• Apply this pack to the clean face and neck.
• Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes and wash it off with lukewarm water.
• Follow this method 3 times in a week.

9. Yogurt and Multani Mitti Face Pack

Multani Mitti or Fuller’s Earth is a natural absorbent that soaks up excess oil from the skin and unclogs the skin pores. It also helps to balance the natural pH level of the skin.

• Take 2 tablespoons each of Multani Mitti and yogurt in a bowl and mix it thoroughly.
• Apply a thick layer of the pack on your face and neck.
• Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes and then wash your face with lukewarm water.
• Repeat the process 3 times in a week.

10. Yogurt and Sugar Scrub

The combination of yogurt and sugar makes a mild scrub that exfoliates the skin and helps to remove impurities that clogs the pores.

• Take 2 tablespoons each of sugar and yogurt in a bowl.
• Give it a stir and apply it to your face and neck.
• Massage with your fingertips till the sugar granules dissolve completely.
• Leave it on for 15 minutes and then wash off with water.
• Repeat the process 2 times in a week.

Tips and Precautions:

• Although, there are no side effects of applying yogurt to skin, those who are allergic to milk products may experience reactions such as itching, skin rash, watery eyes, etc.
• Lactic acid present in yogurt can dry out the skin a bit and make it feel tight. You can use a light moisturizer immediately after removing these masks to prevent the dryness.
• Follow a regular skin care routine that includes cleansing, toning and moisturizing.
• Use a mild, foam or gel-based cleanser to wash your face twice in a day.
• Wipe your face with an alcohol-free toner to shrink the open pores.
• Apply a light water based moisturizer once in a day.
• Avoid or limit the intake of oily foods, caffeinated beverages and carbonated drinks.
• Increase the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Keep your skin well-hydrated by drinking lots of water every day.

Use these remedies regularly to bring few healthy changes in your lifestyle to get rid of oily skin naturally. Don’t forget to share your oily skin remedies, suggestions and tips with us in the comments section below.

Rajee Datti

Hi everyone, this is Rajee!

I live the beautiful city of Baltimore, where my husband works.

I’m from India. I have been visiting India on and off for past few years and my mom was an inspiration for me to start this site. She has a wealth of knowledge on home remedies for a large number of health problems, and we grew up in an environment where frequent visits to the doctor just wasn’t logistically or financially feasible.

Despite this, she managed to raise a family of healthy kids, and my goal here at Home Remedies for Life is to pass on some of her knowledge of natural remedies.