So, what’s for breakfast? Decisions. Decisions. Hmmm, oatmeal or yogurt? Both will give your body healthy nutritious goodness, but if you want some seriously sumptuous skin, I’d eat the oatmeal and save that creamy yogurt to add to your collection of homemade beauty products for a super moisturizing yogurt face mask (not that oatmeal doesn't have a place in skincare, too!).

Chock full of protein, calcium, vitamin D, and probiotics (the healthy bacteria that aid digestion), there’s no doubt yogurt provides delicious benefits for your insides. But it can also do beauty wonders for your outsides as well, namely for your skin.

Yogurt contains lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, that dissolves dead skin cells. This gentle exfoliation not only helps to create a natural glow and prevent breakouts, but works to diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

When topically applied to the skin, a velvety yogurt face mask will help moisturize, fight acne, prevent premature aging, relieve sunburn, and reduce discoloration. It’s an all-around beauty multi-tasker.

Experts agree. Dr. Judith Hellman, NYC Dermatologist and Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mt. Sinai Hospital, says yogurt helps to rejuvenate and soften the skin. Dr. Hellman recommends applying a yogurt face mask often and liberally after excessive sun exposure to calm skin. It is also an effective treatment for Keratosis pilaris, and may be mixed with honey for more intensive exfoliation.

Licensed Esthetician, Amanda Holdredge of Island Medical Spa SunGate Medical Group, suggests adding a few drops of melaleuca oil to a handful of yogurt to treat sunburn or acne. Take care to avoid eyes, mouth, and other sensitive skin areas when using essential oils. The dairy staple can also help to ward off skin discoloration and premature aging. Holdredge combines the juice of half a lemon with a couple tablespoons of yogurt for a lightening/brightening mask that may be used 2-3 times per week.

Skincando creator and eco-facialist, Sara Damelio, uses local yogurt in her facials for a mildly exfoliating, anti-bacterial, hydrating skin treatment. Sara has shared her fabulous recipe with us.

Overview

Your skin has tiny holes called pores that can become blocked by oil, bacteria, dead skin cells, and dirt. When this occurs, you may develop a pimple or “zit.” If your skin is repeatedly affected by this condition, you may have acne.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin condition in the U.S. Although acne isn’t a life-threatening condition, it can be painful, particularly when it’s severe. It can also cause emotional distress.

Acne that appears on your face can affect your self-esteem and, over time, may cause permanent physical scarring.

There are many effective treatments for acne that reduce both the number of pimples you get and your chance of scarring.

What are the symptoms of acne?

Acne can be found almost anywhere on your body. It most commonly develops on your face, back, neck, chest, and shoulders.

If you have acne, you’ll typically notice pimples that are white or black. Both blackheads and whiteheads are known as comedones.

Blackheads open at the surface of your skin, giving them a black appearance because of oxygen in the air. Whiteheads are closed just under the surface of your skin, giving them a white appearance.

While whiteheads and blackheads are the most common lesions seen in acne, other types can also occur. Inflammatory lesions are more likely to cause scarring of your skin. These include:

What causes acne?

Acne occurs when the pores of your skin become blocked with oil, dead skin, or bacteria.

Each pore of your skin is the opening to a follicle. The follicle is made up of a hair and a sebaceous (oil) gland.

The oil gland releases sebum (oil), which travels up the hair, out of the pore, and onto your skin. The sebum keeps your skin lubricated and soft.

One or more problems in this lubrication process can cause acne. It can occur when:

These problems contribute to the development of pimples. A pimple appears when bacteria grows in a clogged pore and the oil is unable to escape.

What are the risk factors for developing acne?

Myths about what contributes to acne are quite common. Many people believe that foods such as chocolate or French fries will contribute to acne. While there’s no scientific support for these claims, there are certain risk factors for developing acne. These include:

People are most at risk for developing acne during puberty. During this time, your body undergoes hormonal changes. These changes can trigger oil production, leading to an increased risk of acne. Hormonal acne related to puberty usually subsides, or at least improves when you reach adulthood.

How is acne diagnosed?

If you have symptoms of acne, your doctor can make a diagnosis by examining your skin. Your doctor will identify the types of lesions and their severity to determine the best treatment.

How is acne treated?

At-home care

There are a few self-care activities you can try at home to prevent pimples and clear up your acne. Home remedies for acne include:

Medication

If self-care doesn’t help with your acne, a few over-the-counter acne medications are available. Most of these medications contain ingredients that can help kill bacteria or reduce oil on your skin. These include:

Sometimes, you may continue to experience symptoms. If this happens, you may want to seek medical advice. Your doctor can prescribe medications that may help reduce your symptoms and prevent scarring. These include:

Women with hormonal acne may be treated with birth control pills or spironolactone. These medications regulate hormones that can cause acne through a decrease in oil production.

Isotretinoin (Accutane) is a vitamin-A-based medication used to treat certain cases of severe nodular acne. It can cause serious side effects, and it’s only used when other treatments don’t work.

Your doctor may recommend procedures to treat severe acne and prevent scarring. These procedures work by removing damaged skin and reducing oil production. They include:

What is the outlook for someone with acne?

Treatment for acne is often successful. Most people can expect their acne to begin clearing up within six to eight weeks. However, flare-ups are common and may require additional or long-term treatment. Isotretinoin is the treatment most likely to provide permanent or long-term positive results.

Acne scarring can cause emotional distress. But, prompt treatment can help prevent scarring. Also, your dermatologist will have treatment options designed to treat scarring.