All of us want radiant skin that is spotless and well-hydrated. But not everyone is blessed with one and there come simple, readily available, natural ingredients to our rescue. Mayonnaise is one such luscious home remedy to try out. Yes, you may already know about the amazing benefits of mayonnaise for hair but it can delight your skin too and make it flawless over time. So, here is how to treat yourself with 7 luscious mayonnaise facial masks and everything else about it you want to know.
What is Mayonnaise?
Let us start with a brief understanding of what mayonnaise actually is. Well, mayonnaise or mayo is a cold condiment or dressing, which is solid in form yet viscous in consistency. It has long been used as a culinary item in sandwiches, hamburgers, Tartar sauce, composed salads, and French fries. Mayonnaise is basically a thick, creamy, and stable emulsion prepared by combining fats (mostly oil), egg yolk, an acidic liquid (lemon juice or vinegar), and a dash of mustard. During this process of emulsification, the egg yolk works as an emulsifier due to the presence of proteins and lecithin in it (1). They bind the hydrophilic (water-loving) ingredient i.e. lemon juice or vinegar with the lipophilic (oil-loving) ingredient i.e. oil without allowing separation, which leads to the formation of a stable emulsion (2). Mayonnaise can be off-white to pale yellow in color and its texture can also vary from light cream to thick gel.
Commercial mayonnaise has lots of varieties with ingredients like soybean oil, egg, distilled vinegar, lemon juice concentrate, dried vegetables and herbs (garlic or onion), preservatives (calcium disodium EDTA), water, salt, sugar, and natural flavorings. For vegans, there are egg-free alternatives too. Conversely, homemade mayonnaise usually contains a neutral-flavored oil (canola, avocado, safflower), egg yolk, white wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, etc.
Skin Benefits of Mayonnaise
When it comes to using homemade facial masks, mayonnaise is a sure bet. Following are the reasons for which you should include mayonnaise in your weekly beauty regime:
- Mayo delivers a serious dose of hydration to the skin. Being rich in egg and soybean oil, it works as a natural emollient that soothes dry and damaged skin beautifully while making it super soft and supple (3).
- It exfoliates the skin thoroughly by sloughing off dead cells along with dust, dirt, and excess sebum. As a result, the layer of fresh cells underneath is revealed and the skin looks invigorated.
- The exfoliating properties of mayonnaise are effective in making the skin tone lighter too.
- Components like egg and soybean oil in mayonnaise also help in tightening the skin and making them look younger by unclogging the pores and nourishing the cells deeply.
7 Super Nourishing Mayonnaise Facial Masks
So, let us go through the recipes of a few ultra-moisturizing mayonnaise facial masks that can make your skin look gorgeous inside out:
1. Store-Bought Mayonnaise Facial Mask
Mayonnaise is easily available in the market. So you can simply buy a jar of mayo and take out 4-5 tablespoons of it into a bowl. Keep it aside for half an hour so that the mayo warms up a little bit and reaches room temperature. Meanwhile, get prepared for applying the facial mask. Pull your hair up and tie it into a ponytail or bun. Cleanse your face with a mild cleanser and rinse with tepid water. Pat it dry. Then, smear your face with mayo by applying it in a thick layer with the help of your fingertips. Make sure that you avoid the areas around your eyes and lips. Let the mayo sit for 15-20 minutes and then, wash off with lukewarm water. While washing off, massage your face gently in a small circular motion so that the dead skin cells come off easily. This facial mask is best for normal or sensitive skin.
2. Homemade Mayonnaise Facial Mask
A jar of whole-egg mayonnaise can be the best skin softening agent for you. And guess what? You can prepare it in your home to get rid of harmful chemical compounds. Once you are ready with your freshly-made mayonnaise, take half a cup of it in a small bowl. Prepare your face for the application of the mask just like the previous way. Now, spread the homemade mayo all over your facial skin and massage it for 3 to 4 minutes with your fingertips in a small circular motion. Allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes and rinse gradually with tepid water. This mask is a great remedy for the dryness and dullness of the skin.
3. Mayonnaise and Honey Facial Mask
Here is another excellent mayonnaise facial mask for dry patchy skin and you will need honey to make the most of it. Take around half a cup of mayonnaise and pour 1-2 tablespoons of pure raw organic honey into it. Combine well to form a uniform mixture. Cleanse your skin thoroughly and get it prepared. Apply the mask all over it in a thick layer and massage for a couple of minutes gently. Allow it to sit for the next 10-15 minutes and then, wash off with lukewarm water. This mask is also quite good for treating acne-prone oily skin. Honey, being one of the best natural anti-bacterial agents, can prevent the appearance of zits on your face to a great extent.
4. Mayonnaise and Lemon Juice Facial Mask
If you are experiencing too many breakouts, this mayonnaise-lemon juice facial mask will be a savior for you. Scoop out about 3 tablespoons of mayo and add half a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice to it. Blend well and massage your face with it gently for 2-3 minutes. Wait for 15 more minutes so that the mask sits on your facial skin well. Then, rinse with tepid water thoroughly. You can use this mask on a combination skin without any worry.
5. Mayonnaise, Honey, and Lemon Facial Mask
A dash of lemon juice in your facial mask can dry out the skin sometimes. In such cases, you need to include something moisturizing in the recipe. Honey, being one of the best natural emollients, can be a great choice. So, take 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise and add 1 tablespoon of pure raw honey to it. Squeeze the juice of a lemon into the mixture and stir well. Apply it all over your face, wait for 15-20 minutes and then, wash off with tepid water. This mask is suitable for all types of skin and has amazing effects on pores and acne.
6. Mayonnaise, Honey, Oatmeal, and Sugar Facial Mask
How about using a mayonnaise mask on your face that can also help in exfoliation? To prepare this simple mask-cum-scrub, you have to take 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise. Add 1 tablespoon of pure honey, 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar, and 1 tablespoon of oatmeal to it and combine everything together. It will turn into a thick granular paste. Massage your facial skin with it slowly by moving your fingertips in a small circular motion. Then, let it sit for 2-3 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.
Read Also – Orange Peel Face Mask for Oily Skin and Acne
7. Mayonnaise, Wheat Germ, and Bergamot Essential Oil Facial Mask
Finally, here is an exclusive facial mask made of mayonnaise that can improve the overall quality of your skin. This is basically a blend of mayo and two types of essential oils i.e. wheat germ essential oil and bergamot essential oil. Just pour a few drops of each of the oils into 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise and spread the mixture on your face. Keep it for half an hour. Then, massage gently for a couple of minutes and rinse off with fresh cold water.
All these mayonnaise facial masks can be applied 2-3 times a week for the best results.
Hair Benefits of Mayonnaise
The application of mayonnaise as a hair mask is much appreciated all over the world. Though people with curly and wavy hair use mayonnaise the most, it is known to improve the health of all types of hair. Here is how (4):
- As the primary ingredient used in mayonnaise is oil, it makes hair strands a little oilier and leaves them soft and smooth. If your scalp lacks sebum, mayonnaise may naturally increase moisture in them by providing added oils.
- When the moisture balance in hair gets disrupted, it turns frizzy. Mayonnaise may reduce frizz caused by excessive dryness, humidity, or heat styling with its high oil content.
- Mayonnaise contains a certain nutritional amino acid called L-cysteine, which has been found to build keratin protein in the hair. However, the study conducted on menopausal women experiencing hair loss focused only on the effects of diet and supplemental forms of L-cysteine for promoting hair growth rather than the direct application of it through mayonnaise (5).
- According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the topical application of mayonnaise suffocates head lice and makes them temporarily inactive (6). While this can work as a natural lice treatment, the condiment does not kill the insects completely.
Read Also – Mayonnaise for Hair Treatment
Is Mayonnaise Good for Health?
Although mayonnaise is widely used in foods across the globe, it has earned a bad reputation to be unhealthy. But it can actually be a healthy and delicious addition to the diet when used smartly. We have explained it below:
1. Careful Selection
The fats used in mayonnaise are mostly unsaturated fats, which are proved to be the healthier ones. Basically, the oil used in the mayonnaise recipe determines its healthfulness. Though most commercial mayonnaise uses soy oil or canola oil, they can be replaced with any edible oil including olive oil and avocado oil in homemade versions. Sometimes, reduced-fat mayo is recommended by nutritionists for its lesser fat and calorie contents than the regular counterpart (7). But it often contains lots of sugar or starches for better texture and flavor.
2. Moderate Use
Being a high-fat food, it is calorie-dense. A tablespoon of the condiment yields as many as 100 calories (8). Hence, ignoring portion sizes can easily and quickly lead to additional bodyweight. All you need to do is exercise portion control to use it moderately, especially if you are on a low-fat or low-calorie diet. However, you can be liberal with your mayo intake when living on a low-carb or ketogenic diet.
3. Proper Storage
Due to the presence of raw egg yolk, your homemade mayonnaise may become a hotbed of bacteria and turns extremely unhealthy when stored improperly. It is important to pasteurize an egg in 140°F water for 3 minutes before preparing the condiment at home. The acidic components of mayonnaise may help fight bacteria to some extent but the homemade one may still contain salmonella bacteria (9). Therefore, all mayo-based dishes should be kept in the refrigerator immediately after use. On the other hand, commercial mayonnaise is made with pasteurized eggs and is preserved well. But make sure that you refrigerate the jar and do not use it for more than 2 months after opening.
Possible Risks of Using Mayonnaise
The topical application of mayonnaise as an ingredient in facial masks is generally safe. However, you may experience allergic reactions due to the presence of potential allergens like egg, soy (if soybean oil is used), vinegar (if you have a citrus allergy), etc. Some common allergy symptoms are hives, rashes, stomach cramps, chest pain, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. Therefore, it is advisable to do a patch test before starting.
Also Read – ALASTIN Skincare – How To Give Your Skin A Complete Makeover
Summary:
Mayonnaise or mayo is a cold condiment or dressing used mostly in sandwiches, hamburgers, Tartar sauce, composed salads, and French fries. The thick, creamy, and stable emulsion prepared by combining fats, egg yolk, an acidic liquid, and a dash of mustard. The egg yolk in it works as an emulsifier by binding the hydrophilic ingredient with the lipophilic ingredient without allowing separation. Mayonnaise hydrates the skin intensely, exfoliates it thoroughly, tightens it up, and lightens the skin tone. Combining it with ingredients like honey, lemon juice, oatmeal, sugar, wheat germ , bergamot essential oil, etc. can make your skin look gorgeous inside out. Mayonnaise can also be used as a hair mask for making hair soft and smooth, reducing frizz, and treating head lice to some extent. Although it has earned a bad reputation to be unhealthy, careful selection, moderate use, and proper storage can actually make it a healthy and delicious addition to your diet. The topical application of mayonnaise is generally safe. However, you may experience allergic reactions due to the presence of potential allergens in it. So, always do a patch test before starting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Mayonnaise Good for Wrinkles?
Mayonnaise leaves the skin cleaner, smoother, and tighter with its exfoliating and skin tightening properties. This minimizes the appearance of open pores, fine lines, and wrinkles effectively.
Can Mayonnaise Remove Dark Spots?
A mixture of mayonnaise, honey, and lemon is known to remove all sorts of dark spots, marks, and blemishes from the skin naturally.
How Long Homemade Mayonnaise Can Be Stored?
When refrigerated the right way, homemade mayonnaise lasts for around 2 weeks.
How Do You Know If Homemade Mayonnaise is Bad?
Organic growth (mold, spores, etc.), putrid smell, color change, off-taste, etc. are some signs, which indicate that your homemade mayonnaise has gone bad.
References:
- “Science of Eggs“, Exploratorium.edu
- “The Effect of Emulsion Intensity on Selected Sensory and Instrumental Texture Properties of Full-Fat Mayonnaise“, MDPI.com
- “15 Homemade Face Masks That Will Make You Glow“, TotalBeauty.com
- “Does a Mayonnaise Hair Mask Have Any Benefits?“, Healthline.com
- “Nutrition of Women with Hair Loss Problem During the Period of Menopause“, NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “How to Get Rid of Head Lice When Treatment Fails“, AAD.org
- “Interpretation and Application of the Recommendations in the Diet and Health Report“, NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “Optimization Low-Fat and Low Cholesterol Mayonnaise Production by Central Composite Design“, Link.Springer.com
- “Survival of Salmonella in Home-Style Mayonnaise and Acid Solutions as Affected by Acidulant Type and Preservatives“, meridian.allenpress.com
