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| - Last Updated on August 28, 2024 by Nivedita
Quick Take
Social media is filled with skincare posts, whether they are true or not is a different story. We came across one such post which claims that garlic can help achieve that perfect youthful skin. We fact checked and concluded that it is mostly false.
The Claim
A social media post (on threads) has claimed that garlic can be a game-changer if you incorporate it into your skincare routine. It can help you minimise acne scars, environmental damage and prevent premature ageing. This is due to the strong antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties of garlic, as per the post.
Fact Check
What do these terms mean ーantibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant?
Antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant are terms that describe different beneficial properties found in certain substances. When something is described as antibacterial, it means it has the ability to kill harmful bacteria that can cause infections or diseases in our bodies. Antifungal substances, on the other hand, can combat fungi like moulds and yeasts, which also have the potential to cause infections such as athlete’s foot or yeast infections. Lastly, antioxidants are substances that protect our cells from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. By neutralising these free radicals, antioxidants help keep our cells healthy and reduce the risk of diseases like cancer and heart disease.
Is it true that garlic has antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties?
Yes, garlic is known to possess antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties, making it a valuable addition to one’s diet. Studies have shown that garlic contains compounds such as allicin, which exhibits antibacterial properties by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria. Additionally, garlic’s antifungal properties are attributed to its sulphur-containing compounds, which have been found effective against various fungal strains.
Moreover, garlic is rich in antioxidants like flavonoids and sulphur compounds, which help combat oxidative stress and prevent damage to cells in the body. Therefore, incorporating garlic into your meals can potentially boost your immune system and promote overall health.
Does this mean garlic can help achieve perfect skin?
No, not really. While we acknowledge that garlic has numerous benefits, we cannot really conclude that garlic alone can help you achieve perfect skin. The video in the claim lacks basic information like how to use garlic topically? Or, how to consume it, what should be the dosage and in which form?
Unsatisfactorily, the video goes on to explain that garlic can help with acne scars, reduce inflammation and redness, without taking into account the diverse causes of acne and inflammation. Also, it claims that garlic can help you achieve a youthful skin and prevent premature ageing, neglecting significant factors. Genetics, co-existing diseases/conditions, ongoing medications, obesity, skin type, lifestyle changes like menarche/menstrual cycles/menopause/pregnancy/age, improper sleep, stress, diet, environment (pollution, humidity and temperature), sun exposure, social habits like smoking and alcohol, long-term electronic gadget usage and overall skincare routine, all of these affect your skin.
What are the best practices for achieving healthy and radiant skin?
Healthy and radiant skin is not only aesthetically pleasing but also crucial for overall health. Achieving good skin depends on various factors, including genetics, lifestyle choices, and environmental influences. A regular skincare routine can significantly contribute to skin health, but individual concerns should be consulted with a skincare expert for personalised advice.
Another social media post suggests that a banana and coffee paste would help with facial skin tightening and a healthy glow.
To achieve healthy skin, some of the best practices can be:
- Keep your skin clean: Regularly wash your face with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and impurities that can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Only twice a day is enough, do not overdo the cleansing!
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated and help maintain its elasticity and suppleness.
- Protect from the sun: Apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day, even on cloudy days, to protect your skin from harmful UV rays that can cause premature ageing and skin damage.
- Eat a balanced diet: Include plenty of seasonal fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats in your diet to provide essential nutrients that support skin health. Stay away from oily, greasy and sugar loaded food products (At least try to reduce it!).
- Get enough sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to allow your skin time to repair and regenerate.
- Manage stress: Practise stress-reducing activities such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises to help prevent stress-related skin issues like acne or inflammation.
- Moisturise regularly: Use a moisturiser suited for your skin type to keep your skin hydrated and prevent dryness, flakiness, and premature ageing.
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption: Smoking and excessive alcohol intake can damage skin cells and lead to premature ageing, so it’s best to minimise or avoid these habits.
- Don’t touch your face: Try to minimise touching your face, especially with unsanitized hands. This is because our fingertips can harbour millions of germs which can cause breakouts.
- Do not share your makeup or skincare products with others.
Dermatologist Dr Ratnakar Shukla, consultant at Dermagenix, Gorakhpur, UP, informs, “Garlic contains allicin, which has antimicrobial properties and may help with skin conditions like acne. However, direct application of garlic to the skin can cause irritation and burns. It’s best to consult with a dermatologist before trying it.”
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