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Buttermilk is a dairy-based beverage often produced as a by-product of butter production. It is chiefly the thick liquid that is leftover after whole milk is churned into butter. (1)
Buttermilk is often consumed as a refreshing drink in the summer season. However, not many are aware of its various benefits.
When consumed as a drink, buttermilk provides your body with a whole lot of nutrition while being lower in calories (98) than whole milk. (150) Moreover, applying buttermilk to your hair can make it lustrous and shiny, and using it on your skin can give it a refreshing and rejuvenating glow.
Therefore, buttermilk can be used both orally and topically to improve your skin, hair, and overall health and appearance. (2)
Skin Benefits of Buttermilk
Buttermilk is highly beneficial for the skin, especially when combined with other skin-friendly natural ingredients. It can be used for all skin types, including combination skin, in the following ways:
1. To naturally cleanse the skin
Buttermilk can cleanse impurities on the skin surface or in the pores. It can also remove the dead skin cells and control bacterial growth.
What you need:
- 3 tbsp buttermilk
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sweet almond oil
- 2–3 drops of rose water
How to use:
- Mix 3 tbsp buttermilk, 1 tsp olive oil, and 1 tsp almond oil.
- To the mixture, add rose water and mix well.
- Dip a cotton ball or pad in the mixture and apply the liquid to your face.
- Leave it on for about 15 minutes, allowing your skin to soak the mixture before washing it off.
2. To reduce suntan
Buttermilk, being a dairy-based product, is rich in lactic acid, which is a natural exfoliator and thus promotes skin cell turnover. As a result, the upper, damaged layer of skin is shed off, revealing new, healthy, even-toned skin.
Buttermilk can be used efficiently with aloe vera for its soothing and hydrating properties.
What you need:
- 4 tbsp buttermilk
- 1 tbsp rose water
- 1 tbsp raw organic honey
- 2 tbsp aloe vera gel
How to use:
- Add the buttermilk, honey, and fresh aloe vera gel to a blender and blend them well until a smooth paste is obtained.
- Add the rose water to the mixture.
- Use the paste to massage your neck and face for a few minutes.
- Rinse your face after 15–20 minutes of application.
3. To exfoliate the skin
As mentioned above, the lactic acid content of buttermilk is a natural, mild exfoliating agent. When used in combination with tomatoes that help remove dead skin cells and prevent sun damage, buttermilk can help impart a fresh glow to your skin.
The following remedy also uses almond and sandalwood powder as they provide additional beneficial anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that soothe the skin and improve its health. (3)
What you need:
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup tomato juice
- 1 tsp almond powder
- 1 tbsp sandalwood (chandan) powder
How to use:
- To make almond powder, roast a few almonds and crush them using a mortar and pestle.
- Mix the buttermilk and tomato juice.
- Add the sandalwood powder and almond powder to the buttermilk mixture.
- Using a clean brush, apply the mixture to your face and neck.
- After 10 minutes of application, massage the area and wash the mixture off using plain water.
4. To get even-toned, firm skin
The lactic acid in buttermilk also makes it a natural astringent. Additionally, buttermilk provides moisturization and nourishment to skin cells.
Buttermilk can be combined with oatmeal, which is known to cleanse and detoxify the skin, preventing discoloration. Adding lavender oil to the mixture imparts skin lightening and tightening properties to the mask.
The following remedy can help reduce any discoloration and wrinkles when used regularly, two times a week.
What you need:
- 2 tbsp buttermilk
- ½ tbsp oatmeal
How to use:
- Mix buttermilk and oats to form a paste.
- Apply the mask to your face and leave it to dry.
- Massage your face.
- Wash the mask using plain water.
5. To achieve glowing skin
Aside from being an excellent skin cleanser, buttermilk also hydrates and nourishes the skin, (4) resulting in radiant and glowing skin. These effects are supported by its natural astringent and acidic nature, which makes it a natural skin toner.
What you need:
- 3 tbsp buttermilk
- 2 tbsp gram flour
- 1 tbsp cucumber juice
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
How to use:
- Mix the buttermilk, gram flour, and cucumber juice in a clean bowl to form a smooth, thick paste.
- To the paste, add turmeric powder.
- Using a brush, apply the paste to your face.
- Wash it off after 15 minutes using water.
6. To prevent premature aging
Buttermilk has a high content of antioxidants that neutralize the free radicals, thereby preventing oxidative damage to the skin. (4) In addition, buttermilk nourishes and deeply moisturizes the skin, keeping it healthy and averting premature aging caused by dryness.
What you need:
- 2 tbsp buttermilk
- 1 banana, mashed
- 1 tbsp raw organic honey
How to use:
- Mash one small banana.
- Blend the banana, buttermilk, and honey in a mixer.
- Apply the resultant paste to your neck and face.
- Allow the mixture to dry completely before washing it off using a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water.
Hair Benefits of Buttermilk
Buttermilk is highly beneficial for hair health. It can be easily paired with different ingredients to form nourishing hair masks and packs. You can use buttermilk for your hair in the following ways:
1. To strengthen hair and boost growth
Buttermilk is rich in protein, which can strengthen your hair from within. Its nourishing and moisturizing properties improve hair health as well, therefore boosting hair growth.
What you need:
How to use:
- Pour the buttermilk into a clay pot and add the other ingredients to it.
- Leave the mixture overnight.
- Blend the mixture and strain it.
- Apply the paste to your hair, covering the length of your hair, including the roots.
- Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave it on for 30–40 minutes.
- Wash your hair using a mild shampoo.
- Repeat the remedy two times a week.
2. To condition the hair
Buttermilk deeply hydrates and moisturizes the hair, reducing hair dryness and roughness. (3)
What you need:
- 200 ml buttermilk
- 1 bowl boiled rice
- 1 vitamin E capsule
How to use:
- Blend the boiled rice to form a smooth paste.
- Add buttermilk and the contents of a vitamin E capsule to the rice paste and mix them well.
- Apply the hair mask to your dry hair.
- Wash your hair after 30 minutes to 1 hour of application.
- Shampoo your hair as usual.
3. To fight dandruff
The moisturizing nature of buttermilk provides hydration to the scalp, reducing flakiness and dandruff-related problems. Buttermilk can be used with gram flour and olive oil for dandruff treatment.
What you need:
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- 2 tbsp gram flour
- 1 tsp olive oil
How to use:
- Combine the buttermilk, gram flour, and olive oil in a bowl.
- Apply the paste to your scalp and hair roots.
- Massage it in for a few minutes.
- Wash your hair with a mild shampoo after 30 minutes of application.
Most-Asked Questions About Buttermilk
Is it okay to consume buttermilk daily?
Buttermilk is a healthful drink that can be included in your daily diet. It not only refreshes you but also provides your body with protein, vitamins, and minerals.
In addition, buttermilk helps lower cholesterol levels, controls blood pressure, and hydrates and detoxifies the body.
Can buttermilk help reduce pimples?
Buttermilk, being a product of yogurt or curd, is rich in probiotics that are good for your skin. Probiotics help restore the natural skin microbiome, controlling the growth of acne-causing bacteria.
Moreover, buttermilk boosts metabolic activities and reduces inflammation from within.
Final Word
Buttermilk offers various benefits for the skin, hair, and overall health when used both orally and topically. It can cleanse the skin and make it radiant, and it can moisturize and soften the hair. It is best to conduct a patch test before using any home remedy.
Avoid consuming or applying buttermilk if you are allergic to it. Consult your doctor at once if you experience any reaction after using buttermilk.
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