DIY Skincare Ingredients. You might have seen many bloggers turning to DIY skincare lately. They pop into their kitchen, come out with an unusual looking colorful fruit (or vegetable?), mash it up, and apply it to their face. Let’s get real for a second- firstly, who looks this good with gunk plastered on their face? Secondly, some of the DIY ingredients used seem super sketchy, even to you.
Despite what these bloggers or your best friends say, you need to think twice before using anything DIY-related. Leave the food in the kitchen where it belongs and remember; Google is not your best friend. Treat it as an enemy out to get you. We have compiled a list of DIY skincare ingredients you should absolutely avoid. Don’t worry, we’ll explain why:
1. Lemon, Fruits, and Berries
For starters, lemon is super acidic. It’s not just bad for your skin- it’ll actually burn it and leave it raw and discolored. People claim that lemon helps lighten skin tone, but we’re here to tell you that they’re wrong. Lemon increases skin sensitivity and permanently changes the skin texture- its effects will be seen for years to come.
If you use lemon on sun-exposed skin, it will cause a burning sensation and result in hyperpigmentation. Most other fruits and berries, while not as severe as lemon, might not suit your skin- who’s to say what you’re allergic to? To stay safe, make sure to always patch-test any DIY mask before using it on your face.
2. Vinegar
You know the smell of vinegar that bothers you and makes you want to barf? That’s the least of your concerns when it comes to using vinegar in skincare. Some people use vinegar-based toners because of its pH-balancing components, but we’d stay away from it.
Vinegar has a range of harmful effects including almost instant irritation of the skin, sunburn, increased sensitivity to the sun, and chemical burn that can result from repeated application and depigmentation.
3. Spices
Now, not all DIY ingredients are terrible for your skin. For example, cucumbers, aloe vera, turmeric, yogurt, and honey are great for your skin. But cinnamon? Not so much.
While cinnamon is said to be an antioxidant that has antimicrobial benefits, cinnamon scrubs may not work well on everyone’s skin. You might start by feeling a tingling sensation and some redness, which will later look like your skin got burnt. Tempted to try? Do a small patch test in front of your ear lobe.
4. Toothpaste
Ah, yes. The classic. How often have you been told to dab some toothpaste onto a zit that only seems to be getting bigger?
The main ingredients in toothpaste- peroxide and baking soda- are not meant for your skin. While you might notice that they bring down inflammation temporarily, they are known to cause irritation. In fact, toothpaste is known to leave marks and discoloration on your face even after the zit has disappeared.
Solution
Always do extensive research before following your idol celebrity’s or best friend’s skincare routine. Remember, not all DIY ingredients are harmful for your skin. Some of them are actually known for their amazing benefits and mind-blowing results!
For more information on how Missouri College of Cosmetology can help you, contact us.