5 ways to use Priyanka Chopra's favourite kitchen ingredient in your DIY skincare recipes

Priyanka Chopra loves the high-low balance, choosing to keep that philosophy through her sartorial and beauty choices. When it comes to skincare, she's always loved a luxurious store-bought product—"Right now, I’m indulging in the SK-II sheet masks—they are the best masks hands down—and La Prairie Cellular Night Repair Cream and Jo Malone body butter," she shared in an interview, but gushed over her favourite at-home facial with dahi and haldi in the next question. “I indulge in a fantastic homemade yoghurt facial. I whip it up by mixing equal parts of yoghurt and oatmeal (one-two tablespoons each) with turmeric (one-two teaspoons). I apply and leave it on for half an hour before washing it off with lukewarm water. The yoghurt brightens the skin and takes away all the dullness,” she said. 

Yoghurt, oatmeal and turmeric all have specific benefits that make them great for at-home facials. The first, yoghurt, is rich in this lactic acid, and also includes zinc that targets blemishes—promising better tone and texture with regular usage. Oatmeal is a gritty scrub, and when mixed with yoghurt, takes physical and chemical exfoliation to a powerful match. Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic ingredient that can brighten and calm skin. 

Convinced? Here's how you can use yoghurt as a base for your DIY skincare recipes

1. A clarifying scalp paste for dandruff-prone hair

The lactic-acid rich yoghurt serves as a chemical exfoliator for the scalp, rendering itchiness and scalp discomfort gone. It also contains enzymes (from probiotics,) that help to soothe red, irritated parts. Mix yoghurt with egg whites and apply onto the scalp, massaging the elixir in in sections. In addition to high levels of protein, the egg whites also contain enzymes that slice through build-up on the scalp, making this recipe a one-two punch. 

2. A cooling ointment for red, irritated skin

Yoghurt, especially straight out of the fridge, is very cooling on the skin. Mix it with mashed cucumber and aloe vera and then apply to the skin to calm any redness and inflammation. Cucumber and aloe vera both have phytochemicals that are able to sooth the skin from redness or irritation, and the gel-liquid feels cool while it hydrates the skin.

3. A shine-boosting hair mask

The lactic acid in yoghurt works to clean-up the scalp, ridding it of any unwanted debris that can weight the skin down. Mix it with honey, which works to reinvigorate hair together. It serves as a natural humectant, attracting moisture to the strands. The emollient nature of both fat-rich ingredients help return lost shine. 

4. A purifying mask for acne-prone skin

Berries are rich in a natural form of salicylic acid, which helps to unclog pores. Mash blueberries, blackberries or strawberries with yoghurt to create an AHA + BHA mask that helps dissolve the skin debris that can cause pimples, as well as to soothe active whiteheads. 

5. An ultra-moisturising face pack for parched skin

For a riff on Chopra's classic, mix yoghurt, turmeric and almond oil to soothe skin, while leaving it supple and bright on removal. The fatty acids in yoghurt help to moisturise, while the quick-absorbing almond oil acts as a salve for flaky areas. 

Also read:

How to use Kareena Kapoor Khan's favourite oil in your own DIY skincare recipes

How to make sure you're using face masks correctly + 3 great DIY versions to try now

Priyanka Chopra's top beauty secrets: Ayurveda, positivity and coconut oil