Just about everyone now knows about the benefits of eating yogurt. Millions of beneficial bacteria that boost the immune system make yogurt one of the healthiest foods available, and one of the best natural remedies. However, did you know it is also helpful when applied topically to dry skin? You obviously can't wear it all day, a shielding lotion is the dry skin treatment of choice for that, but there are many ways it can be used as an at-home dry skin remedy.

The lactic acid in yogurt soothes, softens and tightens the skin and refines the pores. Its high nutrient content and natural antibacterial and antifungal properties also get rid of germs and other bacteria.

To use it topically as dry skin treatment, you can just slather it on your face every morning, then wash it off with cold water, or you can mix it with other things that will make it even more effective. Here are a few recipes:

• For a great mask, apply a paste of yogurt and lentils and leave on the skin until it's dry. Remove the hardened paste with your fingers, and then wash off well with water.

• For a thorough cleansing that will also moisturize the skin and leave it soft and smooth, combine one cup of yogurt (plain) with 2 ½ tablespoons of honey. Rub it into your face, neck and décolletage. Wash off well with warm water after about five minutes.

• Yogurt mixed with orange peels is an effective natural exfoliant. Save the orange peels and put them on the windowsill in the sun to dry. Grind them into a powder and mix with yogurt. Leave it on for about 15 minutes, and then rinse off with water.

• Olive oil, turmeric and sandalwood are also great as dry skin treatment. Mix them with yogurt and honey, let them soak in for 5 to 15 minutes, then wash off with water.

Any of the combinations above will do the job. After you've thoroughly rinsed them off with water, make sure you apply a shielding lotion to keep the moisture locked in. It will also protect your skin from the elements, environmental pollutants, and the chemicals in your make-up. Thousands of doctors now recommend shielding lotion for dry skin treatment instead of moisturizers and, unlike yogurt, you can leave in on all day for healthy, glowing skin.