Beauty treatments using egg whites to achieve beautiful skin and luscious hair have been used all around the globe and can be dated back to ancient times. Egg whites are rich in protein that have skin toning properties and promote wrinkle-free skin. Using egg whites is especially good for greasy skin and hair because it helps with tightening large pores and hair follicles that often secrete too much sebum. On top of it, egg white contains an ingredient called ‘Lysozyme’ – which is an enzyme that kills acne-causing bacteria by digesting their cell walls.

Here is a quick and easy do-it-yourself mask, utilizing egg whites, fresh lemon juice and honey, for healthy and blemish-free skin.

Ingredients: 1 egg white, 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice and ½ teaspoon of honey.

Directions:

• Whisk egg white and lemon juice in mixing bowl until mixture becomes frothy/foamy. Lemon juice also helps with masking the odour of the egg white. Add ½ teaspoon of honey and stir well.
• Wash face with warm water to open up pores and using clean hands, apply the mixture onto face. Avoid sensitive areas such as mouth and eyes.
• Let mask settle and dry on face for about 10 to 15 minutes and once the mixture is completely dried up, gently scrub it off using warm water and work upwards from chin to cheeks then to forehead in circular motion.
• Pat dry skin with a towel and voila! Marvel at the feel of your smooth and tightened skin.

This do-it-yourself mask is great for those with oily skin as it is effective in getting rid of excess face oils. Honey and fresh lemon juice used in this mask recipe can also lighten THE skin and fights off acne-causing bacteria.

However, if you have dry skin, please refrain from using this drying and pore-tightening mask. Merely using egg whites alone would also be too much of a waste of precious egg yolks. Egg yolks are packed with vitamins like A, E, D, B12 and B6 that help boost the body’s nutrients. Egg yolks, in combination with protein and hydration will strengthen hair and skin as well. As our hair is made of proteins and the protein content of the yolk adds strength to our hair follicles, making hair roots stronger and fatty acids in the yolk brings natural shine to our hair.

Hence, here is another quick and easy do-it-yourself mask for the hair the leftover egg yolk.

Ingredients: 1 egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil/Coconut Oil.

*Make it 2 egg yolks and 2 tabespoon of olive/coconut oil if you have long hair.

Directions:

• Beat egg yolk with a fork or whisk until a bit frothy.
• Add 1 table spoon of extra virgin olive oil or extra virgin coconut oil to it and beat until mixture is thick and creamy.
• Apply to wet hair gently after washing with mild shampoo by massaging into the scalp first then making sure entire hair is saturated with the mixture.
• Pull hair up into a loose bun and cover with a shower cap.
• Keep mask on for 20 minutes then wash off with or without shampoo, depending on your preference.

This mask should come with the disclaimer that it stinks, but the result that it gives is fantastic – soft and glossy hair! Olive oil or coconut oil used in this recipe will also deeply hydrate and condition the hair.

We all should have the aim to stay forever young – in both mind and body, but that is easier said than done because aging is an evitable process and with time, we gradually lose our youthful look. So, how can we slow down the process of aging? Of course with the help of collagen!

Collagen, a protein found in abundance throughout the body, is responsible for strengthening the skin and providing us the elasticity that keeps our connective tissues healthy and strong, making us look young and healthy. It also acts as the glue in our bones, muscles and tendons which binds the body together.

Unfortunately, as we age, our bodies tend to produce less natural collagen and the first place that shows the effects is none other than our skin – which begins to sag and wrinkle. Our muscles may also begin to show weakness and joints may suffer from cartilage weakening. Thus, collagen is essential for outward appearance and physical ability.

In order to increase our body’s supply of collagen, what can we do, you may ponder? Great news for those of you that like eggs because eggs are a great dietary source for collagen. Studies have shown that eggs contain impressive levels of collagen in the yolk and the membranes – which are the two transparent protein membranes located between the shell and the white of the egg.

Collagen derived from eggs contain two types of collagen known as Type I and Type V collagen. At least 90% of the collagen present in our bodies is in Type 1 form of collagen whilst Type V collagen is present in the hair, cell surface and in the placenta.

The five major benefits of egg collagen are: addresses joint and connective tissues disorders, improves skin quality and decreases wrinkles, increases range of motion, decreases pain and stiffness and last, but not least, improves digestion.

Even though cooking an egg denatures the membranes and reduces some of its inherent collagen, they will still be collagen-promoting. However, the best and easiest way to obtain collagen that naturally occurs in eggs is by taking an egg collagen supplement.

Collagen can also be obtained via other sources such as piscine (fish), bovine (cow), porcine (pig), fowl (chicken) and supporting nutrients that can complement collagen supplements and boost collagen production are such as Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid.