Ingredients To Avoid Using In Do It Yourself Facial Products

 

There are times when people want to make their own facial products because they either can't afford to order an assortment of products or they want something more "natural"since one is only using ingredients one can pronounce.  Where does one go if they want to make their own?  The internet!.  Recipes are so easy to find but are they safe?  Let's dive in and find out!

One of the first things to keep in mind is that you want to use ingredients that will not cause irritation, or ones people react to due to allergies or rashes. There are certain ingredients common to many of the recipes found on the internet.  

One of these is apple cider vinegar.  This ingredient is often suggested as a toner on the skin to treat acne or hyperpigmentation. It tends to have a strong smell that can remain on the skin for a long time.  In addition,  it can irritate or burn your skin due to its pH. 

Another ingredient is lemon juice. It is included in DIY recipes because people believe that it will brighten the skin, lighten freckles, and age spots but due to its highly acidic nature, it can cause irritation, dryness, or even burn the skin chemically if applied directly to the skin.  In addition, it can make your skin more sensitive when out in the sun so you might burn more easily which could lead to skin cancer and hyperpigmentation.

If the recipe calls for baking soda, one should ignore the suggestion because it is an alkaline product with a high pH, baking soda can disrupt the normal pH of your skin. Using it can lead to dryness, irritation, and even damage the skins protective barrier because it is too harsh for the skin. When the skin barrier is damaged, the skin loses moisture and the skin drys out. 

It is often suggested one should use toothpaste as a spot treatment for acne due to its ingredients such as menthol, fluoride, or baking soda. Most toothpaste has a basic pH while your face is slightly acidic consequently, toothpaste can dry the skin, and be too harsh on it.  In addition, several ingredients in toothpaste can eliminate the natural bacteria found on the skin which can make the acne worse.

There are recipes for using sugar or salt to create a scrub which is designed to exfoliate the body, it is not a good idea to use it on the face because the crystals are too rough for the face.  The crystals can cause micro tears due to the jagged edges and these tears can lead to blemishes, infections and premature aging. The same issue applies to coffee grounds and other such materials.

Some recipes call for the use of body lotion or cremes but they are often thicker than a moisturizer specifically designed for the face. Unfortunately, these products may contain ingredients that clog pores making the acne and blackheads worse.  In addition, one should ignore anything suggesting one use mayonnaise on the face.  Although mayo is mostly made up of fats and oils, it can also clog pores and cause you to break out.

When it comes to making your own products, it is important to do a quick search to see if there might be any downsides to the ingredient.  Otherwise, let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.