Do It Yourself (DIY) solutions may seem like the most natural and affordable way to get rid of a skin problem, but not all ingredients in their pure and natural form are suitable for your delicate facial skin.
You need to be extra careful about your face because it is the first thing people notice and certain ingredients can darken, irritate or even burn your skin.
It is easy to panic and reaches out for a DIY replacement when you run out of your skincare products but there are some things that you should never apply to your facial skin which is why we have curated for you this list of 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER USE ON YOUR FACE.
- TOOTHPASTE
Toothpaste is popular as a DIY remedy for blackheads and zits, but experts say that using toothpaste on your face can lead to burns and even infections; it can also increase melanin production and form discoloration and dark spots on the areas where it was applied.
If you have used toothpaste on your pimples before, you may have noticed them turn red after usage. This is because toothpaste has strong ingredients, which can irritate your skin.
The best thing to do is to avoid using toothpaste on your face and use safer remedies instead.
- BODY LOTION
When we run out of our regular face cream, body lotion often becomes the go-to product for the face. However, it should not be used on delicate facial skin as body lotion is thicker in density and greasier.
Its oily texture can clog facial skin pores and cause an acne breakout. Also, body lotions tend to have artificial fragrances and these may lead to an allergic reaction.
So, only use face-related products for your face as they are lighter and mostly non-greasy.
- LEMON JUICE
Enriched with Vitamin C, lemon can add a lot of flavor to your food and is also quite healthy for your body, but applying raw lemon slices or lemon juice on your face may cause more harm than good.
Psoralen, a chemical found in lemon makes your skin sensitive to light, and going out under the sun after using lemon may irritate your skin and also lead to breakouts and burns.
So, if you need a DIY bleaching or skin lightening ingredient, use potato or tomato slices, which are considered safer options.
- HOT WATER
Just like hot water should not be used to wash hair, it isn’t advisable for your face too, but getting a steam facial is fine.
Most people find it relaxing and comfortable but direct use of hot water on your face will reduce the moisture in your skin, making it dry, stretchy and dull, it may also cause a burn.
Use lukewarm water for facial steam therapy as this will help open up your skin pores, loosen the dirt for better cleansing, maintain a healthy pH balance and keep your skin supple and nourished.
It also softens the blackheads and whiteheads, making them easier to remove.
- BAKING SODA
A versatile ingredient, baking soda is used for many things and due to its multipurpose nature, you may have used it to cure acne too. However, baking soda is alkaline in nature and may cost your skin its pH balance.
Your pH level secures your skin from bacteria and infectious pathogens, so, if your natural pH is disturbed, you may get breakouts. Therefore, try your absolute best to avoid the use of baking soda on your face.
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