Millions of teenagers and maybe nearly as many adults suffer from acne. Common acne products fail to do the trick for many people, while other fancy treatments might be out of the question. And in circumstances like these, it is no surprise that people often turn to DIY home remedies over trusted skincare products for treating annoying pimples.
Among them are egg white face masks. Eggs are cheap, effective, and easy to use. They combine great with other natural ingredients to cure various skin conditions.
Why Egg Whites?
Egg white is full of vitamins, amino acids, and proteins that help clarify pores by soaking up excess sebum - this is what you get when your body's oil production goes into overdrive. So if you have oily skin and your body is producing too much sebum, egg white masks may be able to help.
Rich in lutein, eggs can provide hydration and elasticity to the skin. The egg's enzyme Lysozyme can destroy acne-causing bacteria.
Additionally, egg whites act as a mild astringent that prevents further breakouts. Packed with the protein compound albumin, this superfood helps smoothen the skin, reduces redness, minimizes pores, and ensures your face will retain moisture and glow. And no, we’re not finished - they also help with skin tightening, making them a great product for anti-aging.
For acne-prone skin, using only the whites is highly recommended, as yolks are mostly made up of water and fats. Incredibly nutritious, egg yolks might work wonders if you have a dry skin type but not acne. The high amount of fats in the yolk is a great water-binding agent that traps moisture in skin cells, which can be counterproductive for oily skin.
Research on Using Egg Whites For Acne
We all know that large pores make our skin more prone to acne breakouts. Some studies have found that the natural enzymes and amino acids in egg white masks help fill and shrink pores significantly.
Using egg whites on your face has another surprising effect. After using egg white masks for a couple of weeks, some people have reported fewer acne scarring and blemishes on their faces. In addition, research shows that egg whites, containing over 69 amino acids, help the skin rejuvenate naturally by powerfully penetrating through the skin layers to remove tough dirt and grease.
Are Egg Whites Safe?
Most eggs we encounter are safe and free from disease-causing microorganisms. You should be careful not to use raw eggs, though, because they are more likely to contain salmonella. The longer the egg stays with the hen, the bigger the chances of infestation. Buying fresh eggs and using them shortly after is a great way to be safe against disease. You could also opt for pasteurized eggs.
And, yes, whites are safer than yolks. Richer in iron, egg yolk is more prone to bacteria that feed off the iron. That's why you should be careful and always separate the yolk from the white before preparing your mask.
Eggs and Allergies
The lysozyme, a component great for fixing skin discoloration, is also responsible for triggering allergies. However, if you have never had an allergic reaction to eggs before, it’s unlikely you’ll suffer from one when applying egg on the face. Nevertheless, you may want to conduct a patch test if you have sensitive skin. This will help you avoid skin irritation.
Needless to say, if you have an egg allergy, do not use eggs on your face! If you notice redness, slight irritation, or any other symptoms, stop using the egg.
If you have any concerns at all, speak to a board-certified dermatologist.
Homemade Remedies With Egg Whites
Now we've gone through all the amazing benefits of egg whites, you might be wondering how to incorporate them into your skincare routine. Try these egg white face masks!
Basic Egg White Face Mask for Acne
Do you have acne-prone skin? This egg white mask might be the one for you.
To prepare this mask, carefully separate the egg white from the yolk. Whites from around two eggs should be enough to cover your whole face. Take an application brush and gently apply on the face, and spread it evenly on the surface of the skin.
You can use your hand if you don’t have an appropriate brush. Make sure you clean your hands right before handling the mask. Dirty fingers can only do more damage, causing new breakouts.
After you apply the egg white, let the mask dry completely. Afterward, wash your face with warm water. Use this egg white mask once or twice a week.
Feel free to use a gentle cleanser (such as the AHA 10% Skin Perfecting Cleanser) afterward.
Benefits:
- Shrinks large pores
- Deep cleans the skin
- Removes excess oil
- Tightens the skin
Egg White + Honey
For this egg white face mask, you'll need a single egg white and one tbsp of honey. Use a bowl to mix both ingredients until you get a smooth, thick paste. Again, use your fingers or an applicator brush to apply a solid layer on clean skin. Leave the mask on for 15 to 20 minutes.
When the mask is tightening, rinse off with warm water (or a damp cloth).
For best results, repeat the procedure every week.
Benefits:
- Removes clogged pores and dirt
- Reduces redness and inflammation
- Antibacterial and antifungal properties
Egg White + Lemon Juice
One of the most powerful ingredient combinations is egg whites with freshly squeezed lemon juice, making it one of the best egg white face masks for mature skin.
Add two tbsp of lemon juice to a small bowl containing one egg white. Mix them until the paste is frothy.
Use a cotton pad or a brush to apply the mask evenly over your face. Leave it on until it dries completely, which can take up to 20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the layer. Afterward, wash your face with room-temperature water.
Repeat every five to seven days for a younger appearance.
Benefits:
- Reduces acne scars
- Improves pigmentation
- Fixes discoloration
- Reduces the appearance of wrinkles
- Decreases inflammation.
Egg White + Avocado
Next time your avocado is ripe, put half of it aside. It will be hard but worth it!
Mash half an avocado in a small bowl and add two egg whites. Blend well. Apply the mixture to your face, and wait 20 to 30 minutes for it to act. After that, rinse off with cold water. You can repeat the procedure once a week.
Benefits:
- A great source of Vitamin E and A, and other nutrients
- Nourishes your skin and protects it from damage
- Keeps the skin hydrated
- Encourages less sebum production
Egg White + Green Tea
Make yourself one cup of green tea, but instead of drinking it, mix it with just one egg white. Blend it until the two ingredients mix completely. You will need to use a cotton pad to apply this egg white face mask since the consistency of the mixture will be loose.
Leave it to act on the skin for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Wash your face with lukewarm water and pat it dry. You can repeat this remedy twice a week for glowing skin.
Benefits:
- Kills bacteria
- Clears the skin
- Removes dirt and unclogs pores
Egg White + Baking Soda
To make this egg white face mask, mix two egg whites with two tbsp of baking soda. Whisk thoroughly until the ingredients are fully blended. Apply the mask evenly on your face and leave it for 20 to 30 minutes. After it has dried off, wash it off with cold water. Don't use this mask on your face everyday - repeat every week.
Benefits:
- Clears up the skin
- Removes dead skin cells
- Reduces blackheads and whiteheads
- Bleaches the skin
Egg White + Yogurt
Mix two egg whites with one tsp of fresh, unflavoured yogurt in a small bowl, and blend well. Once you get a smooth paste, take an application brush and apply evenly all over your face. Wait 20 to 25 minutes for the mask to dry, then wash it off with cool water.
Benefits:
- Soaks up excess oil
- Lightens the skin
- Decreases the appearance of dark spots
- Removes acne scars
Egg White + Orange Juice + Turmeric powder
This is also known as a skin-lightening mask since the ingredients have powerful bleaching properties and are used for treating discoloration.
In a small bowl, combine one white, 1 tbsp of orange, and 1 tbsp of turmeric powder. Whisk the mixture until frothy, add the turmeric powder, and continue blending. When you get a smooth paste, apply it evenly on the skin. Use a circular motion for deeper penetration, and avoid your eyes!
Keep the mask on your face for about twenty minutes before washing it away with warm water.
Benefits:
- Reduces redness and blemishes
- Prevents new breakouts
- Destroys the P.acnes bacteria
- Removes excess oil
Egg White + Oatmeal + Honey
This combination of egg whites, oatmeal, and honey is an excellent scrub for the skin. You will need an egg white, one tbsp of oatmeal, and one tbsp of honey.
Blend the ingredients in a bowl and then apply on the face using a circular motion. The oatmeal is a natural scrub, so do not rub the mask against your skin. Be gentle. Leave it on for twenty minutes and then wash it off with warm water.
Benefits:
- Exfoliates dead skin cells
- Removes acne and acne scars
- Reduce wrinkles
- Soothes inflammation
Conclusion
With all the nutrients that eggs pack, it makes sense to use them in skincare. Our egg white masks are a great starting point! (Psst... suffer from dry skin? Try a yolk face mask instead!)
References
Chicken Egg White—Advancing from Food to Skin Health Therapy
Are egg white face masks good for your skin?
Reduction of facial wrinkles by hydrolyzed water-soluble egg membrane
