Cautions for Your Complexion: What to Avoid Applying on Your Face

Many women and teenage girls come across beauty tips on the internet and start applying random items from their kitchen and bathroom onto their faces. However, some of these beauty hacks can be harmful, leading to severe side effects. It’s important to remember that not everything you see and read on the internet is accurate. Some beauty influencers promote products and practices that may seem like magic for your skin but are, in fact, far from it. Here’s a list of items you should steer clear of applying to your face:

1. Lemon Juice:

Yes, lemon juice. Numerous online face packs and home remedies, often featuring lemon juice as a key ingredient for skin whitening and bleaching, can actually harm your skin. This is because lemon contains Psoralen, a chemical that can make your skin more sensitive to light. Instead, consider using a Vitamin C serum, but always follow it with sunscreen to protect your skin.

2. Body Lotions:

Body lotions are designed for the body, not the face. So, the next time you run out of your regular face moisturizer, resist the temptation to use body lotion. These lotions tend to be greasy and thick in consistency and often contain artificial fragrances that can be detrimental to your skin. Moreover, their consistency can clog pores, leading to acne and pimples.

3. Baking Soda:

While baking soda is perfect for creating delicious cakes and muffins, it’s not suitable for your skin. Many online sources claim that baking soda can cure acne and brighten your skin, but this substance is alkaline and may have adverse effects on your skin’s pH balance. Maintaining the right pH level is crucial for keeping acne and bacteria at bay, and baking soda can disrupt this balance.

4. Toothpaste:

You might have heard the advice to “apply toothpaste to get rid of acne” or that “regularly applying toothpaste can cure and prevent acne and blackheads.” However, toothpaste can actually worsen pimples, making them red and itchy. Toothpaste contains mint extracts and other strong ingredients that can irritate acne.

5. Wax:

Waxing for facial hair removal can pull on your skin, leaving it irritated, red, and itchy. In some cases, hot wax can even cause burns. Shaving, on the other hand, is a safe and quick method for facial hair removal, with specialized women’s razors available in the market.

6. Expired Creams and Serums:

Using creams, serums, and sunscreen for a while and then saving them for later can lead to the use of expired products. Applying expired products to your skin can result in issues like acne, pimples, skin burns, and severe allergic reactions. Always check the expiration dates before applying creams and serums to your face.

7. Coconut Oil:

Coconut oil is best suited for hair care, especially if you have oily skin. However, there’s a trend on the internet promoting coconut oil facials, which can be harmful. Coconut oil is too greasy and can clog pores, leading to acne and pimples.

8. Soaps:

Use soap for your body, not your face. Soaps have a different pH level than facial skin. When you use soap on your face, you may strip away the natural oils, leaving your skin dry and dull. Dry and dull skin can lead to irritation and itching.

In addition to these items, avoid applying shampoos, glue, hairspray, nail polish, and similar products to your face. Instead, opt for safer alternatives like potatoes, yoghurt, and diluted tomato juice. It’s crucial not to believe everything you read and see on the internet. Your face is a delicate part of your body that requires special attention and care.