Katherine’s question: I read that you can get smoother skin by rubbing egg white on your face and letting it dry. I tried it and I could feel my skin noticeably tighten – like I imagine Botox feels. Why does this work? The Right Brain tightens up this response:
What is an egg white?
Egg white, technically known as albumen, is the clear, liquidy part of the egg that provides nourishment for the growing embryo. It consists of proteins (about 15%) dissolved in water.
What happens when you cook an egg?
When you cook an egg, a chemical reaction causes these proteins to denature, which is a fancy way of saying they react with each other and become less soluble in water. So they turn from a clear, liquidy solution to a white, congealed solid (or goo, depending on how you cook your eggs.)
What happens when you put egg on your face?
A similar process occurs as a thin film of egg white dries out. In this case, the protein forms a film as water evaporates. The film is what makes your skin feel tight. It’s kind of like putting a coat of paint on your face and letting it dry.
Does egg white give you smoother skin?
Although it gives you a temporary feeling of tightness, once you you wash the egg white away, the film is gone. So although this tightening effect makes you think it’s doing something special, there’s really no significant benefit to this kind of facial. It doesn’t get rid of wrinkles like Retin-A does!
And by the way, just in case your boyfriend brings it up, Sarah Bellum wants you to know that other kinds of protein facials don’t really do anything for your skin either. (Ok Sarah, are you happy now??)
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“And by the way, just in case your boyfriend brings it up, Sarah Bellum wants you to know that other kinds of protein facials don’t really do anything for your skin either.”
Hahahaha love you guys
That brings up another question though (which my boyfriend insists is true however I have my doubts) — what about ingestion of certain protein substances that help to clear up acne?
Thanks for answering my question! I figured it was a mechanical and not chemical process, and therefore only temporary.
I just wanted to clarify that the denaturing of proteins does not mean they react with each other. Rather, it is when the long strands of amino acids that make up proteins lose their secondary and tertiary structures. So it’s kind of like losing their original blobby shape and just becoming a long string of amino acids.
Well said, Amino! I was just trying to give the quick and easy version but I appreciate the additional explanation.
Hahahaha! Can Sarah & I be friends?
Thanks for this post! So does an egg hair mask have little effect too?
Sarah B., you are terrible but truly funny!!!
And yes, what about the shampoos that claim they nusrish the scalp with egg and rhum (Phytorum)?
J: About your “ingestion” question…if that really worked for acne, I wouldn’t have this zit on my cheek right now!
Thanks Sarah, for clearing that up for me. I will immediately tell my boyfriend. Though he may want to know….from what university did you receive your degree?
Michele
Hahaha, sarah B…..Well i suppose if you were a vegetarian, ingestion of certain protein substances might be a good supplement….I will however, let my bf know that it will not clear up acne nor wrinkles!
Michelle: I’d rather not disclose my alma matter but I can tell you that I did really well on the “ORAL” exam!
Hello~ Thanks for the informative yet concise article. I’m a HS student who just got into chemistry and it is uber awesome. Anyways, to my question: Since Lysozyme is an enzyme whose main function is to digest bacterial cell walls, do you think these ability could be passed on when applied to the skin?
You can’t quite say there is no significant benefit to egg white facials. I have very oily skin which is most apparent on my face during the summer. When I used egg whites and corn starch in a face mask, it gave my skin a more matte look that lasted for hours(usually I get oily minutes after washing my face). So if it’s good for anything, it can help fight excessive oil production for people like me.
Im sorry but i have TO disagree with you. Where are you getting this information and what qualifies you to give advice with such certainty? Because i have noticed amazing results from using egg whites on my face. It makes my pores smaller, skin tighter, its reduced wrinkles around my mouth and its also faded hyper pigmentation on my face. Do you actually do research and take surveys ie do studies before you answer these questions? Not trying to be rude, but come on. Ignorance
im boutz 2′z try it !!!!
sarah baby i love you . xxx
than what will work on boys face ??????
any good idea to remove wrinkle
tnx
I am some how compused about this egg white masks,does it make face to look lighter or what?