If you’re looking for an at-home, budget-friendly skincare solution, proceed with caution. Many DIY remedies make promises of clear, glowing skin that banishes breakouts. But, depending on your skin type, you might be causing more harm to your skin when using natural ingredients straight from your kitchen cupboard.
Home remedies may sound like an easy and appealing way to fight skin woes, but some food is safer for consumption than topical use. Just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s a cure-all for skincare.
Lemon or Citrus
Lemon juice and other citrus fruits may taste great, but applying them to the skin is a no-no. For ages, people thought that lemon juice was great for exfoliating the skin naturally to help with acne. It is also a skin lightener (think about how putting it in your hair in summer lightens it), so it would reduce redness and dark spots. But all that means is that it is damaging.
Lemon and other citrus fruits are highly acidic. They can irritate the skin and leave it vulnerable and sensitive to the sun for hours after application, causing burns that lead to scars and pigmentation issues.
No matter how affordable or “clean” it seems, there are plenty of cheap and safe toners on the market to use instead.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste is one of the most common home remedies for acne treatment. People have been praising toothpaste for drying out pimples quickly. But toothpaste was not created to be used on the skin. Be wary of success stories of using toothpaste. In addition to drying out zits, it can also irritate sensitive skin and leave burn marks, extending the healing process.
Cinnamon
According to some studies reviewed by the NCBI, cinnamon extracts have antibacterial properties; however, cinnamon can trigger allergies when ingested or applied topically.
Alcohol
Applying any alcohol to the skin can potentially over dry and irritate your skin, leading to a longer recovery. Using any form of alcohol on the skin might have temporary benefits but is not intended for long-term use.
If you’re looking for less abrasive home products that are tried and true, always do further research and consult your dermatologist.