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Garlic Benefits for Skin: Fights Acne, Anti-Aging & Glowing Complexion
Garlic offers multiple health benefits, thanks to its medicinal and antibacterial properties. But did you know that it provides potential benefits for your skin health, too? Garlic [1] is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that help combat various skin issues. However, you should know how to use it. Let us look at the numerous garlic benefits for skin in this article. Additionally, we will learn how to use garlic safely and explore the DIY garlic masks.
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How Does Garlic Work On The Skin?
Garlic contains anti-inflammatory, [2] antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties that help reduce inflammation, acne, redness and swelling. It improves blood circulation and promotes collagen synthesis, giving you a brighter and youthful complexion.
Is Garlic Good For Skin Whitening?
Garlic does not have a skin whitening agent that can whiten your skin. However, it can indirectly help in achieving a clearer and even skin tone. It contains a compound called allicin [3] that contributes to fading dark spots and hyperpigmentation on your skin. This gives you an even skin tone.
Top Benefits of Garlic For Skin
Here is a rundown of the several garlic benefits for skin:
1. Fights Acne: One of the benefits of eating raw garlic for skin is that it is good for acne. Garlic has antibacterial, antimicrobial, [4] antifungal, antiviral and antiseptic properties that help fight against acne-causing bacteria. It also contains other vitamins and minerals that help regulate oil production, unclog pores and minimise the appearance of blackheads and whiteheads.
2. Reduces Signs Of Ageing: Garlic offers anti-ageing [5] benefits to your skin. The antioxidant properties of garlic help fight free radicals, one of the primary causes of premature ageing. It helps maintain your skin’s elasticity, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and gives you a youthful complexion.
3. Fades Stretch Marks: If you have stretch marks, you can try garlic on them to fade the marks. All you have to do is mix garlic juice with olive oil and heat it. Apply this to your stretch marks and gently massage.
4. Enhances Skin Complexion: One of the significant benefits of eating raw garlic for skin is that it improves blood circulation, which helps promote a healthy and glowing complexion.
5. Lightens Dark Spots: The other vitamins and minerals in garlic, like calcium, sulfur, vitamin E, and zinc, help exfoliate your skin. Additionally, garlic helps regulate excess melanin production, which will lead to dark spots and uneven skin tone.
6. Minimises Enlarged Pores: The exfoliating and anti-inflammatory properties of garlic help unclog the pores, which indirectly contributes to reducing the appearance of open pores.
DIY Garlic Mask For Skin Whitening
Although garlic offers several skin benefits, you should not apply it directly to your skin, as it can cause redness and irritation. Hence, it is recommended that you mix garlic with other natural ingredients to make garlic facemasks. Try these DIY garlic masks if you want to maximise the garlic benefits for your skin.
Garlic Aloe Vera Facemask
This DIY garlic mask works great for acne. Check out the step-by-step process below.
Ingredients:
- Garlic – 2 to 3 cloves
- Water – ½ cup
- Aloe vera gel – 1 teaspoon
Step-by-step Process:
- Take the garlic cloves and crush them.
- Mix it with half a cup of water.
- Let it rest for about 5 minutes.
- Take 1 teaspoon of fresh aloe vera gel and add it to the mixture.
- Apply the mixture to the affected areas of your face and leave it until it becomes dry.
- Now rinse with water.
- Try this on a regular basis to see the results.
Garlic and Yoghurt Facemask
This DIY garlic mask helps exfoliate your skin and removes the dead cells that clog the pores. Check out the step-by-step process below.
Ingredients:
- Garlic – 4 cloves
- Yoghurt – 1 tablespoon
Step-by-step Process:
- Take the garlic cloves and puree them.
- Mix it with one tablespoon of yoghurt.
- Apply the mixture to your clean and dry skin.
- Massage gently onto your skin and leave it for a few minutes.
- Now rinse with water.
Garlic and Coconut Oil Facemask
This DIY garlic facemask helps nourish, hydrate and cleanse your skin. Check out the step-by-step process below.
Ingredients:
- Garlic – 2 to 3 cloves
- Aloe vera gel – 2 teaspoons
- Coconut oil – 1 teaspoon
Step-by-step Process:
- Take the garlic cloves and crush them.
- Mix it well with aloe vera gel and coconut oil.
- Apply the mixture to your clean and dry skin.
- Leave it on for 10 minutes.
- Now rinse with water.
- Follow it up with a moisturiser immediately.
How To Use Garlic Safely For Skin?
You can enjoy the multiple garlic benefits for skin only if you know how to apply it correctly. Here are some precautions you need to take when using garlic on your skin:
- Garlic is strong in nature. It is not recommended to apply garlic juice or raw garlic directly to your skin, as it can cause irritation, redness, or contact dermatitis. [6] For topical application, dilute it with aloe vera, carrier oils or other ingredients.
- Avoid topical application of garlic on your skin if you are using blood-thinning medication or having a bleeding disorder. The duration of the application should not be longer than 20 minutes.
- When using garlic on your face for acne, apply it about 2-3 times a week.
- Avoid using garlic if you are allergic to it, as it can cause reactions.
- A patch test is recommended before using garlic on your skin.
Takeaway
While many people claim to enjoy garlic benefits for skin, the results may vary for individuals. Moreover, there is not enough scientific evidence that supports the safety and efficacy of garlic, either topical or oral. It is best to consult a dermatologist for any skin issues that you may have. At Oliva, our dermatologists first identify the root cause of your concern before recommending any treatment. If you are looking for a holistic approach and a personalised solution, schedule your appointment with our experts at your nearest Oliva clinics today!
Frequnetly Asked Questions On Garlic Benefits For Skin
Some studies suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of garlic improve your skin health. However, there is no scientific evidence that it directly makes your skin glow.
There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that eating garlic at a specific time of day causes skin whitening.
No, it is not safe to rub raw garlic on your skin daily, as it can cause redness, irritation, burns, and a condition called contact dermatitis.
It is not recommended to use garlic juice or cloves directly on your skin due to the risk of irritation and chemical burns. However, you can dilute it with other ingredients, like aloe vera, yoghurt, coconut oil, or olive oil, and apply it 2-3 times a week.
Yes, applying garlic directly to your skin can cause redness, skin irritation, rashes, blisters, and chemical burns.
There are no specific, scientifically proven benefits of eating raw garlic for the skin.
Some research suggests that the allicin compound in raw garlic contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that benefit your overall skin health. However, more studies are needed to establish this.
Yes, it is generally safe for most people to eat a small amount of raw garlic daily. However, there is no scientific evidence that this will result in glowing skin.
