Say Yo! to yoghurt's amazing beauty benefits

Yoghurt. The very word cools you down - especially in the warm summer months, when the heat is full on.

But if you've so far used your yoghurt only for churning up 'lassis' and 'raitas', it's time to discover its starring role in skin and hair care. The secret? Yoghurt is a virtual treasury of zinc, calcium, Vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12, protein and yeast. Besides, yoghurt adds enzymes and oils to the skin, working as a natural moisturiser. It can also reduce pore size, improve overall skin texture, and give you that healthy glow.

Follow these tried-and-tested yoghurt- usage tips, and you'll glow!

• Got blemishes? Slathering yoghurt on your ace every day will help clear your skin, thanks to its rich zinc content. Avoid the flavoured varieties, and apply yoghurt only after you've removed all make-up.

• Stop pimples in their tracks by mixing some brewer's yeast with plain yoghurt and apply it on your face. Let it sit a few minutes, then wipe clean.

• If you've got an itchy scalp, apply some yoghurt on your head, wrap your hair in a towel and then rinse after 15 minutes. Bonus: The yoghurt will chase away dandruff, too!

• Your hands and nails can also benefit from yoghurt. Simply combine half a cup of plain yoghurt with the juice of one lemon. Refrigerate it for a few hours and then use it to massage your hands and nails. Rinse and pat your hands dry. Do this for a fortnight, and you will notice how soft and supple your hands feel.

More Yoghurt Packs

Just Yoghurt

1/2 cup yoghurt

Apart from zinc, plain yoghurt contains lactic acid, a natural skin smoother, which makes it a simple, yet effective facial mask. To reap yoghurt's skin-softening benefits, just spread it on your face and leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.

Protein Power Pack

1 egg white

1 tbsp yoghurt

1 tsp fuller's earth

1 tsp honey

Mix and apply on face and neck for cleansing, toning, moisturising and nourishing benefits all in one!

Nice And Zesty

1 tsp yoghurt

1/4 orange or 1/2 lemon juiced

Mix together and smooth onto face. Allow to remain on for five minutes, then rinse off with warm water. Zesting up your yoghurt facial by adding

a tablespoon of fresh citrus fruit gives the pack an extra refreshing punch. Besides, lemon and orange restore the skin's normal Ph balance, making it look fresh and young again.

Feel-Fab Fruit Pack

3/4 cup plain yoghurt

1 carrot (for soothing, anti-inflammatory benefits)

1/2 peach (a natural emollient)

1/2 cucumber (to refresh and soften the skin)

Blend together. Apply and let sit on the skin for 10 minutes, then rinse. Your skin will be left feeling renewed and moisturised.

Beat The Dry Daze

1/2 cup plain yoghurt

1 tbsp olive oil

11/2 tsp fresh lemon juice

Mix all ingredients together. Apply on the face for five to 10 minutes, then rinse off with warm water. Heals dry skin.

— Compiled by Shubhra Krishan

Starring Yoghurt At the Spas

• At Banyan Tree Spas the world-over, the body is coated in a cool yoghurt splash after a turmeric-based lulur scrub. The yoghurt cleanses and nourishes the skin.

• The signature facial at the Maldives' Angsana Resort and Spa includes massage with all-natural ingredients such as watermelon, honey, egg white, cucumber and yes, yoghurt!

• Experts at the Pura Vida Spa in Costa Rica treat the face to a refreshing yoghurt and cucumber pack, which refreshes oily, sensitive skin.

• Beauty expert, Stacy Cox says adding yoghurt to watermelon is great for oily skin. The lactic acids in the yogurt aid in exfoliation. Mix yoghurt well with the watermelon and apply on entire face.