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Sour cream for the face – benefits and harms

Sour cream is a unique ingredient that can be used to achieve beautiful, glowing skin. It contains lactic acid, which helps to moisturize, plus vitamins A, D, and B6, all of which are powerful antioxidants that can help keep skin looking healthy. Additionally, sour cream can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and blemishes, and its lactic acid helps to reduce breakouts. However, it isn't for everyone, and it needs to be used sparingly since it can be quite irritating to some skin types.

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Sour cream is a healthy and nutritious product that has a beneficial effect on the digestive system. It is used in the preparation of various dishes and as a complement to them. It is also great for face care, replacing cream, scrubs, and tonics according to the effect. Products based on this product have a positive effect on young and mature, oily and dry skin, practically without causing side effects. Sour cream face mask at home is easy to manufacture and use..

What is face cream

Sour cream – a natural dairy product containing a complex of vitamins (A, C, PP, E) and trace elements (calcium, magnesium, biotin, potassium, phosphorus, sodium), organic acids, proteins. The lactic acid included in the composition has a rejuvenating effect on the skin, and helps exfoliate dead cells. This substance refers to alpha-hydroxyl compounds that break down the peptide bonds between dead cells on the surface of the epidermis, helping them to peel faster.

Lactic acid molecules, slowly penetrating into the deeper layers of the integument, have a positive effect on the restoration of collagen and elastin fibers. The compound helps the cells to bind and hold moisture inside, which makes the tissues more elastic and resilient. The antibacterial effect of lactic acid is due to the creation of an acidic medium on the surface, which prevents the growth of aerobic microorganisms. At the same time, the product is hypoallergenic and does not clog pores..

Benefit and harm

Sour cream has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin of the face and neck. Among the expressed positive effects, the following points are distinguished:

  • For dry skin – it has a moisturizing effect, keeps it soft, velvety.
  • For oily – normalizes the sebaceous glands, metabolic processes in the epidermis and dermis, eliminates shine.
  • For the problematic – relieves inflammatory processes, reduces the risk of rashes, accelerates cell regeneration.
  • For mature, wilting – saturates with antioxidants, has a lifting effect, gives smoothness, elasticity, moisturizes it.
  • The product improves tone, stimulates blood circulation, which helps to restore the natural complexion.
  • Lactic acid whitens, which is valuable in the presence of age spots, freckles.
  • The product helps eliminate dark circles, bags under the eyes..

Do not forget that with improper use of sour cream for the face or some individual features of the mask based on this product can provoke undesirable consequences:

  1. Application to a poorly cleaned face or surface with wounds causes the growth of microbes in a nutrient medium, which leads to inflammation.
  2. If you are allergic to lactic acid or other components, redness, peeling, rash may appear.
  3. Using a product with a high fat content with a fatty type may produce the opposite effect..

Sour cream in a plate

Application rules

Before using sour milk for cosmetic purposes, it should be borne in mind that a natural homemade product is more useful – in industrial production, powdered milk is often added. Before mixing sour cream masks, you should familiarize yourself with the basic rules of application:

  • When choosing the right fat content, the skin type is taken into account. The feedback principle applies here. The more oily the skin, the less should be this indicator of dairy products. For dry, you need to buy a product with a fat content of 25-30%. For oily – no more than 10%.
  • As with other cosmetics, the finished mask must be tested for its ability to cause an allergic reaction by applying it for 30 minutes to the elbow.
  • Only fresh sour cream should be used..
  • After exfoliating masks, it is recommended to apply sunscreen on the face before going out to protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation.

Pure use

Sour cream is useful for all skin types, not only as part of combined, multi-component masks, but also in its pure form, without additives. In this case, it is applied for 20-25 minutes, then washed off. Sour cream instead of face cream is applied in a very thin layer, does not require rinsing. Such procedures should be carried out on weekends and at night. This contributes to the appearance of radiance, freshness and elasticity of the skin, improving complexion. To reduce fine wrinkles, sour cream for the skin around the eyes is applied with fingertips on the eyelids for 10-15 minutes, washed off with warm water.

Sour cream face mask

Depending on the effect on the skin and the purpose, sour cream masks are divided into several types:

  • for normal skin;
  • for oily;
  • for dry;
  • anti-aging;
  • whitening;
  • moisturizing;
  • nutritious;
  • cleansing, exfoliating;
  • for neck, lips, eyelids.

There are many recipes for sour cream masks for all skin types. Adding different ingredients affects the end result. The following components are used as additives:

  • eggs
  • fruits and berries (lemon, banana, peach, watermelon, melon, strawberries, currants, grapes);
  • vegetables (cucumber, potatoes, tomato, cabbage);
  • nuts, seeds;
  • juices (lemon, carrot, aloe);
  • honey;
  • rice, oatmeal;
  • yeast;
  • salt, baking soda, turmeric, cinnamon;
  • aspirin, boric acid;
  • essential oils (tea tree, lemon);
  • calendula
  • starch;
  • parsley;
  • cottage cheese, yogurt;
  • coffee, coffee grounds;
  • clay.

Sour cream face mask

To get the maximum benefit from a face mask made of sour cream and to prevent undesirable consequences, the following recommendations for use should be considered:

  • It is undesirable to use the product in the presence of damage (wounds, scratches, abrasions).
  • Cosmetic mass should be prepared immediately before application, it is not recommended to store it.
  • The components of the mask must be at room temperature before cooking. If the products were stored in the refrigerator, half an hour before the procedure you need to expose them, and if necessary – place them in warm water.
  • Before applying the mask, you need to cleanse your face well. You can first make a steam bath for your face or put a towel dipped in hot water on it for a few minutes. Oily skin is steamed, wiped with an alcohol-containing solution.
  • The mixture is applied to the face with circular massage movements (from above along the hairline), neck, décolleté, unless otherwise indicated.
  • The mask should not be applied longer than 20-30 minutes, otherwise it can dry out the face, lead to peeling.
  • The mass from the face is first removed with a cotton swab or a damp cloth, then the residue is removed with water.
  • Rinse off the face with warm, not hot water.
  • After the mask, you should lubricate your face with a suitable cream (nourishing, moisturizing).
  • It is useful after the end of the procedure to cover the face with gauze or bandage, rolled up in several layers and moistened in warm, weak black tea.
  • After removing the mask to fix the effect, it is recommended to rest, relax, lie down for half an hour.
  • The procedure is carried out no more than 1-2 times a week, unless otherwise stated, for a month (7-10 masks). It is recommended to take a break of 1 month between courses.

Wrinkle

Sour cream for the face effectively fights wrinkles of different depths, sagging. The active components of masks through penetration into the inner layers of the skin improve its structure. The following formulations are effective:

  • Oats and cucumber. The mixture is suitable for dry skin, nourishing and toning it. To do this, in equal proportions mix sour cream, mashed or crushed cucumber in a blender, previously peeled, and oatmeal. The mixture is distributed over the face for 15-20 minutes, washed off.
  • Egg and aloe. For this mask, a fresh aloe leaf is pre-cut from the plant, kept for 10 days in the refrigerator (in the freezer), squeezed juice. 5 ml of this juice is combined with one egg yolk and 20 g of sour cream. The mass is kept on the face for 15-20 minutes, removed.
  • From the radish. Smoothes fine wrinkles, improving blood circulation in the skin. Peel a medium-sized raw radish, grate it. One tablespoon of root vegetables is mixed with one tablespoon of sour cream and one teaspoon of honey. Stand on the face for 15-20 minutes.

From sour cream and honey

A face mask with sour cream and honey is considered universal, can be used for any type of skin. It has a nourishing, anti-aging effect. Contraindication is the presence of vascular “stars”, the tendency of the integument to redness. In addition to the fermented milk product and honey, other ingredients may be included in the composition of such masks. In all cases, before preparing the mixture, the beekeeping product must be slightly melted in a water bath.

The following varieties of honey-sour cream masks are common:

  • Without additives. Mix sour cream and honey in equal proportions (one tablespoon each). Apply on face and neck for 15-20 minutes. Wash off with warm water. With dry type, then grease the face with cream. Use this tool every 3-4 days. The course is 1 month (10 masks).
  • With clay. Used to soften and smooth. In equal proportions combine sour cream, honey and white clay. The mixture is kept on the face for 20-25 minutes. Residues cleaned with warm water.
  • With oatmeal. It nourishes normal skin. 2 tablespoons of oatmeal are combined with half a glass of low-fat sour cream, incubated for 20 minutes in a warm place to swell. Add the yolk of one egg, 1 teaspoon of honey. The mass is distributed over the face for 15 minutes, removed.
  • Nice bonus. The mixture from the first recipe in equal proportions can be used as a nourishing hand mask 1 time per week (keep up to 20 minutes).

Oatmeal mask

For acne

Sour cream masks, having anti-inflammatory and cleansing effects, help to remove acne, black spots and prevent their occurrence in the future. In addition to sour cream, other components with a similar action that enhance the effect are used for such compositions. Examples of sour cream masks for oily skin that help fight acne:

  • With tomato. The tool cleanses and tightens pores. 1 tomato is poured with boiling water, peeled, cut it crosswise. Rub the pulp, add 1 tablespoon of sour cream. The mass is smeared on the steamed face (for 15 minutes), cleaned with warm water.
  • With turmeric. Degreases, reducing the number of rashes. For 1 teaspoon of turmeric, take 4 tablespoons of sour cream. The mixture is stirred, the lumps in it are rubbed. The mass is distributed over the face, held for 20 minutes, eliminated with warm water.
  • With aspirin. In addition to antibacterial, it produces a calming effect, relieves redness and inflammation, and is suitable for the sensitive type. It is necessary to add 2 aspirin tablets dissolved in a small volume of water, a few drops of tea tree oil to one tablespoon of sour cream. The composition is applied to the face (15-20 minutes), washed off with warm water. A light nourishing cream is smeared on the skin..
  • With herbs. Used pharmacy chamomile or St. John’s wort, calendula. Dried grass is ground to a powder state. For 1 part of the plant, 1.5 parts of sour cream are taken. The mass is placed on the face (20 minutes), removed.
  • With bran and potatoes. Narrows the pores, evens out the tone of the face. Knead 1 boiled potato until mashed, mix with 3 tablespoons of sour cream, let stand for 5 minutes. Combine half a cup of bran with a small amount of milk until a semi-liquid slurry is obtained. Combine and mix both mixtures, spread over face for 20 minutes, rinse with warm water.
  • Vegetable Additionally enriches epidermal cells with vitamins. It consists of a tablespoon of sour cream, chopped pulp of one tomato, one grated raw potato on a fine grater, one egg white, two teaspoons of wheat flour. All components must be thoroughly mixed, put the mixture on the face (15-20 minutes), remove.

In addition to masks for oily skin, a sour-milk based scrub is used. Composition with the addition of ground coffee or small table salt will help to exfoliate the keratinized layer of cells. Scrub is not suitable for sensitive skin. Do not use a liquid product, as all salt can dissolve in it. Work order:

  1. The mixture is made from one teaspoon of the main product and the same volume of salt (coffee).
  2. The scrub is applied carefully, excluding the area around the eyes.
  3. Gently massage the face for one minute, then rinse thoroughly with plenty of water.

With cucumber

Sour cream and cucumber mask is used to eliminate inflammatory processes, acne, acne. It is applied 1-2 times a week. Method of preparation and use:

  • wash a small cucumber, peel;
  • Rub the cucumber flesh through a sieve or chop in a blender;
  • add 1 tablespoon of sour cream;
  • stir the mixture well;
  • apply the composition on the face for 15-20 minutes;
  • rinse with warm water;
  • apply nourishing cream to the face.

From sour cream and cottage cheese

This mask nourishes the skin, rejuvenates, fights wrinkles, sagging, relieves fatigue. Curd, as well as sour cream, it is better to choose natural, homemade, fresh. Preparing the composition according to one of the following recipes:

  • Nutritious. Take 10 g of sour cream, 20 g of cottage cheese, 6 ml of honey, 5 ml of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Mix all components thoroughly. Put the mixture on the face (15-20 minutes), remove with water.
  • Exfoliating scrub mask. Gently removes old cells, does not dehydrate the skin in winter. Sour cream, soft cottage cheese, and sea salt are mixed in equal proportions. The mixture is applied, gently rubbed without pressure with massage circular movements for 1 minute. Then stand 5 minutes on the face and remove.
  • For lips and eyelids. Refreshes and strengthens the delicate sensitive skin of these areas. 2 teaspoons of a nonfat main product are mixed with half a teaspoon of cottage cheese and one teaspoon of egg yolk. The composition is applied to the lips and eyelids (10-15 minutes), carefully washed off.

Mask of sour cream and curd for the face

Sour cream and banana

This mask is suitable for normal skin, nourishes and moisturizes it, improves face tone, saturates cells with vitamins. In addition to banana, you can add other berries (strawberries, currants) and fruits to the mass in the absence of allergies to them. Mode of application:

  • knead 1 banana with a fork until gruel or mashed from it;
  • add an equal amount of sour cream, 1 beaten egg white (optional);
  • apply on face for 25-30 minutes;
  • wash off.

With yeast

A mask with yeast gives the skin softness and smoothness, saturates with vitamin B. It is better to use natural yeast rather than instant ones. Sequencing:

  • to obtain a mass, 1 sachet (or 1/3 sticks) of yeast is mixed with sour cream until the consistency of a thick slurry;
  • the mixture is smeared for 20-25 minutes;
  • removed with warm water.

With oatmeal and milk

This is a nourishing mask that protects dry skin from the harmful effects of the environment. For the best effect, oatmeal is used. A mask of sour cream for dry skin is made according to the following recipe:

  • Pour 1 tablespoon of oatmeal with hot milk, leave for 5 minutes, cover with a lid;
  • add 1 tablespoon of sour cream to the porridge;
  • apply the mass for 15-20 minutes on the face;
  • rinse with warm water.

With starch and boric acid

Adding starch enhances the antibacterial effect of the mask. Boric acid dries out oily, inflamed skin. Caution should be exercised for people with mixed skin types. Do not apply to dry areas. The mask is used in the following order:

  • mix 1.5 tablespoons of sour cream, 2 tablespoons of starch, 3 ml of boric acid;
  • apply the mixture to the face for 10-15 minutes;
  • removed with cool water.

With egg

Egg white added to masks dries and cleanses oily skin. Compositions with egg yolk are suitable for aging, dehydrated skin. There are a large number of recipes for such masks for different situations. The following formulations are common:

  • With the addition of protein and lemon juice. Suitable for oily skin, for cleansing pores. You need to isolate the protein from one raw egg, beat with a whisk or mixer. Add 1 tablespoon of sour cream, mix until smooth. Pour 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice, mix again. Apply the mixture on the face with a thick layer for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with cool water.
  • With yolk. Moisturizes dry skin, improves its color. 1 egg yolk is ground with one tablespoon of sour cream until smooth. The mixture is distributed over the face (15-20 minutes), removed.
  • Cabbage. It is used to improve oily skin. To do this, ground or crushed cabbage in a blender is mixed in equal proportions with sour cream. Add 1 beaten egg white. The resulting porridge is applied to the face for 15-20 minutes, washed off.
  • With rice flour. Helps eliminate excessive oily skin. Rice draws toxins from the outer integument. A pinch of flour is combined with a tablespoon of sour cream and one egg yolk. Hold on face for 20 minutes.
  • Carrot. Suitable for dry skin, nourishes it, moisturizes. 1 tablespoon of sour cream should be mixed with one egg yolk, one tablespoon of carrot juice or grated carrots. To smear on the face (15–20 minutes), remove.
  • With currants. In a mixture of one tablespoon of sour cream and one beaten egg yolk, you can add crushed leaves or grated currant berries (one tablespoon each). This composition enriches with vitamins, improves the structure of the skin. Blackcurrant berries whiten the skin further. The mask is applied to the face for 15 minutes.

Chicken eggs

Mask of sour cream and lemon

Lemon juice has a whitening effect. Its inclusion in the composition of the cosmetic mixture enriches the mass with vitamin C, antioxidants. It is good to add some olive oil. Acid gives the mask soft peeling properties. Lemon is added to different types of sour cream masks:

  • Based on cream. This effective whitening mask is prepared from one teaspoon of sour milk, the same amount of lemon juice and two teaspoons of any nourishing face cream. The components are mixed until a homogeneous mass is applied to the face (10-15 minutes), removed with warm water.
  • To eliminate age spots. This mask can be used with any type of skin, choosing a product of suitable fat content. You need to mix one tablespoon of sour cream, lemon juice and chopped parsley. Apply mass to problem areas (15–20 minutes), rinse.
  • With lemon, you can make a lotion for mature flabby skin of the neck. This tool is used daily for wiping. Half a glass of sour cream is ground with one egg yolk. Pour 1 tablespoon of vodka (alcohol) and the juice of half a lemon into the mixture, constantly stirring the mass. The lotion can be stored for 1 week in the refrigerator in a tightly closed glass bottle.

Contraindications

The main contraindication for the use of sour cream masks is hypersensitivity to the constituent components. An allergic reaction can occur not only on sour cream, which happens rarely, but also on other ingredients. Honey, fruits, essential oils for some people are powerful allergens. In such cases, they must be completely eliminated or replaced with other products. Masks with sour cream with caution and less often used in the presence of rosacea (vascular “stars”).

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Comments: 3
  1. Piper

    Can using sour cream on the face have any positive or negative effects on the skin? I’m curious to know if there are any benefits or potential harms associated with using sour cream as a skincare ingredient.

    Reply
    1. Nathan Miller

      Using sour cream on the face can have both positive and negative effects on the skin. Sour cream contains lactic acid, which is known to gently exfoliate the skin and promote cell turnover, resulting in a smoother complexion. The protein and fat content in sour cream can also provide hydration and moisturization to the skin. However, it is important to note that the acidity of sour cream may cause irritation or sensitization in some individuals, especially those with sensitive skin. Additionally, sour cream might not be suitable for acne-prone skin as the dairy content could potentially clog pores and worsen breakouts. Patch testing and consulting with a dermatologist are recommended before incorporating sour cream into a skincare routine.

      Reply
  2. Avery Russell

    Could using sour cream on the face have any positive effects, or are there any potential negative consequences to be aware of?

    Reply
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