Dahi has been a staple of Indian cuisine for centuries. Valued for its nutritional properties, the probiotics it contains and its versatility, it is used in many dishes and as a main part of the Ayurvedic diet.
In fact, Dahi, which is also referred to as curd, has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. The fermented milk product is a rich source of probiotics, protein and lactic acid — all of which also make it a popular ingredient in everyday skincare routines.
Dahi is a good source of protein, calcium, and probiotics, and all of those nutrients are essential for healthy skin. What’s more, since it is low in both fat and calories, curd makes for an ideal food or ingredient for people who have oily skin.
Below, we’ll dive deeper into the power of dahi in skincare, and other natural beauty secrets that can be learned from Ayurveda.
Benefits of Dahi for Skin
Because of the nutrients that it contains, curd provides a wealth of benefits for skin. It’s actually a natural exfoliant and moisturizer all at the same time.
The lactic acid that’s present in dahi helps to remove dead skin cells, which results in smoother skin. In addition, it is also a natural moisturizer, as it can nourish and hydrate the skin, which results in skin being supple and soft.
There are also anti-aging properties that dahi has. Skin elasticity can be improved by consuming dahi on a regular basis, and this can reduce the appearance of the signs of aging such as wrinkles and fine lines.
What’s more, dahi can improve skin complexion and even out skin tone, giving your skin that radiant glow that you’re looking for.
Why is Dahi Good for Skincare?
The nutrients that are in curd are what make it so beneficial for your skin.
For instance, dahi belongs to what’s known as AHAs, or alpha-hydroxy acids, due to the lactic acid that it contains. That helps to exfoliate any dead skin cells you might have while also treating acne.
The protein, probiotics and vitamin D that it contains are all essential to glowing and healthy skin. Not only that, but they help to regulate the production of excess oil, which in turn reduces pores as well as cures different skin issues such as breakouts, acne and blemishes.
Curd also contains a significant amount of zinc, an ingredient that helps to speed up the renewal of skin cells.
A 100-gram serving of curd contains about 125 milligrams of calcium, which removes any dullness from skin and keeps it hydrated all at the same time.
Using Dahi in Skincare
Dahi is such a versatile ingredient that it can be both consumed to realize its health benefits or even applied directly to the skin as if it were a cream.
You can apply dahi directly onto your face and leave it there for about 10 to 15 minutes before you rinse it off with lukewarm water. You can also create a face mask by mixing dahi with other natural ingredients such as gram flour, turmeric and honey — all of which provide their own benefits to skincare.
Which ingredient you should mix with dahi to create a face mask or pack depends on what result you are looking for.
For instance, if you are looking to moisturize dry skin or get smoother skin in your face, mix honey with dahi. If you are looking to reduce inflammation and acne, try mixing turmeric with dahi.
And If you want to brighten your skin and exfoliate, mix gram flour with dahi.
The beneficial nutrients that all of these natural ingredients have will mix together to get you the amazing desired results you’re looking for.
Tips and Precautions
While there are a wealth of health benefits that dahi provides as a natural skincare option, there are some things that you should be aware of before starting a new skincare routine with curd.
First, dahi might not be suitable for people who have sensitive skin or who are allergic to dairy products. Remember that traditional dahi is made from cow’s milk, so it will have dairy in it. While you can make non-dairy alternatives, they don’t provide as many skincare benefits.
If you are concerned that your skin may not react well to dahi, try applying a small amount to a small section of your face. Then, look for any adverse reactions, which would likely appear as a rash, red marks or itchy skin.
If you experience any redness, irritation or other ill effects after you apply dahi to your face, immediately discontinue using it as a skincare product and consult with a dermatologist.
If your skin is prone to acne, dahi can be great when you mix it with other ingredients. At the same time, you need to be careful about how much you apply and how often you do it, as there could be adverse reactions.
Discover the Immense Benefits of Dahi for Skincare
Dahi is a product that has been used for centuries in India as both an amazing food ingredient and also as a natural skincare alternative. The probiotic properties, low fat and caloric content, high protein and other nutrients in it give dahi the potential to have huge benefits to your skin.
Just like it is as a food, dahi is also extremely versatile as a skincare product. It can be mixed with other natural ingredients such as honey, turmeric and gram flour to help you treat everything from dry skin to acne. You can apply it directly to your face and even create a dahi mask out of it.
Remember, any time you are integrating a new product into your skincare routine, it’s important to start small and make sure that your body doesn’t have any adverse reactions. Then, once you know that it’s safe for you to use, create an ongoing skincare routine that uses dahi to provide you with immense benefits.
