5 Beauty Mistakes to Steer Clear Of: Ingredients You Never Want to Put on Your Face
When it comes to skin care, we have all been guilty of experimenting with different remedies and ingredients in hopes of that ultimate glow. Some of these apparently innocuous ingredients, though, do more damage than good. In this article, we are going to examine five popular beauty mistakes to avoid, featuring ingredients that you should never use on your face.
1. Toothpaste: Not a Pimple Solution
Toothpaste may be marketed as a fast solution to pimples, but using it on your face is not a good idea. Toothpaste is made with strong chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulfate, which may rob your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and irritated or even infected. Try gentle, non-comedogenic products that are directly designed for acne skin instead.
2. Lemon Juice: A Recipe for Disaster
Lemon juice can be used as a natural astringent, but its high acidity levels can be disastrous for your skin. Direct application of lemon juice on your face can lead to burns, hyperpigmentation, and even predispose you to skin cancer. If you must use lemon juice on your skin, add a little water to it and use it as a toner, but use care and patch test beforehand.
3. Baking Soda: Too Harsh for Skin
Baking soda is a favorite ingredient in a lot of homemade face masks, but its gritty texture can be too harsh for most skin types. Applying baking soda to your face can cause micro-tearing, irritation, and dryness. Instead, use gentle exfoliants such as alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), which are formulated to exfoliate without damaging your skin.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide: A Skin Irritant
Hydrogen peroxide is also commonly used to treat acne, but its oxidizing capabilities are very irritating and damaging to your skin. Putting hydrogen peroxide on your face can lead to redness, itching, and even scarring. If you need a spot treatment, use something that has salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide in it, which are milder and work better.
5. Turmeric: Staining and Irritation
Turmeric is an effective anti-inflammatory spice, but putting it on your face is sure to lead to staining and irritation. Turmeric's active compound curcumin can become trapped in skin cells, forming yellow discoloring stains. Furthermore, turmeric can also lead to irritation on the skin, particularly for people with sensitive skin. To add turmeric to your beauty regimen, mix it as a component in a face mask or serum, but remember to test patch first.
In summary, though these products appear innocuous, they can do some serious harm to your skin. By skipping these beauty mistakes, you can ensure your skin and obtain a more glowing, healthier complexion. Never forget to patch test any new ingredients, and seek advice from a dermatologist if you do have some questions regarding your skin.