The amazing calcium benefits for skin

As a major factor in cell renewal, antioxidant protection from DNA damage and lipid barrier function, calcium benefits skin in a huge number of ways.

Calcium-lacking skin can often be recognised by dryness, itching and premature wrinkling. There is also research to suggest calcium-deficient skin is more prone to cancer.

With its role in the shedding and creating of new skin cells, and maintaining an appropriate lipid level, calcium levels should be kept through diet or supplement.

Calcium is also crucial for anti-aging. It has a strong resistance to premature aging and fine wrinkling through its production of the antioxidant catalase.

Catalase – alongside some other important antioxidants – prevents DNA damage in skin texture, and the reduction of collagen and elastin.

Another way calcium inhibits aging is by its effects on the central nervous system, which reduces the effects of stress on the body. Stress creates a ton of hormones that create an overall picture of ill-health on the appearance, so calcium helps minimise this.

While we can pay attention to the calcium we consume, it is also beneficial used topically on the skin too.

Thanks to the Natural Remedies for Skincare blog, there are a wide array of homemade calcium treatments you can apply to face and body to improve the overall appearance.

Check out the recipes below and see what a difference it makes to your skin.

Dreamy Creamsicle Smoothie Mask

For calcium goodness inside and out!

• 1 (6-ounce) container plain yogurt
• 1/3 C calcium-fortified frozen orange juice concentrate
• 1 C skim milk
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 ice cubes

Blend the yogurt and orange juice concentrate together. Take out 2 tablespoons and set aside for your mask. Add the milk, vanilla extract and ice cubes to the blender and blend until your smoothie is ready.

Pour out your smoothie, spread on your mask, put up your feet and enjoy!

Yogurt is not only high in calcium, it contains lactic acid which will exfoliate and even out skin tone. The orange juice, a citric acid, will add to the exfoliation process.

Yogurt and Strawberry Mask

• 1/2 C plain yogurt,
• 1/3 C mashed strawberries
• 1/2 C oats

Blend until smooth. Smooth on your face and relax for 15 minutes before rinsing off.

Yogurt Banana Mask

• 2 T yogurt
• 1/2 banana
• 1 T honey

Mash the banana, mix all ingredients together until smooth, and then apply to your face for 15 minutes.

Honey Yogurt Mask

Use Manuka Honey for even more skin benefits.

• 1 T plain yogurt
• 1 tsp of honey

if your skin is oily, add 1/2 t freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice

Combine and smooth over your face for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Yogurt and Oat Mask

• 1 C plain yogurt
• 1/2 C finely ground oats

Good for all skin types, blend and apply for 5-10 minutes.

Yogurt and Cucumber Mask

• 1 T plain yogurt
• 1 T finely chopped cucumber
• 1 T finely chopped parsley

Great for dry skin. Leave on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing.

Yogurt Tomato Mask

• 1/2 of a deseeded tomato
• 2 T plain yogurt
• one slice of cucumber
• 2 t aloe vera gel
• 3 t finely ground oats

Mash or blend the tomato with the cucumber. Add yogurt, aloe vera gel and pulse. Stir in the finely ground oats. Leave on for 10 minutes, finally rinsing with warm water.