Egg-white face mask proponents assert that this DIY trend serves several purposes — including calming breakouts and firming the skin.
While in theory there may be some logic behind these claims, based on the nutritional properties of egg whites, the purported benefits are anecdotal and clinical evidence is limited, explains Adam Friedman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and chair of dermatology at the George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, DC.
For example, initial research has suggested that certain egg-white proteins, like lysozyme, could be useful for treating acne, due to potential antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Other research has looked at the benefits of an egg-white ointment for the treatment of patients with burns.
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But there isn’t rigorous clinical evidence that egg whites actually yield similar or beneficial effects as a topical treatment when used on healthy people’s faces and applied at home, Dr. Friedman said.
And while another type of egg-white protein known as ovalbumin may appear to contribute to a smooth complexion, it’s likely attributed to a temporary tightening effect that takes place as the protein dries following application.
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Plus, these results haven’t been proven with the use of at-home egg whites on the skin.That said, egg whites as an ingredient (known as albumen) are used in a variety of skin-care and hair-care products that are currently on the market. But these products have gone through manufacturing processes, including drying methods, for shelf-life preservation purposes.
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This differs from the raw egg whites in your refrigerator that haven’t been produced or tested in a controlled environment — and which may only offer minimal or nonpermanent effects, if any.
“A protein film might offer momentary visible or even tactile benefits at best, but it does not translate into meaningful, lasting skin health outcomes or anti-aging benefits,” says Friedman.
