Since the beginning of time, DIY beauty hacks and miracle cures have promised to transform your complexion, often through unconventional ingredients. Many of these are nothing more than myths that can do your skin more harm than good.
Don't be tricked by these skincare tricks! Instead learn the “treats” that actually do work to keep your skin looking and feeling healthy.
Trick: DIY lemon masks will brighten skin.
Lemons are loaded with vitamin C, which is great for skin brightening — but applying lemon juice directly to your face is a huge no-no.
The acidity in lemons can disrupt your skin's natural pH balance causing irritation, redness, and even burns, especially when exposed to sunlight.
Treat: Opt for a vitamin C serum specifically formulated for the face.
These serums provide all the brightening benefits while minimizing the risk of irritation. Look for products with stable forms of vitamin C, such as sodium ascorbyl phosphate or ascorbic acid, to safely achieve the glow you’re looking for.
Trick: Toothpaste will clear up acne.
Covering your pimples with toothpaste is a longtime DIY remedy for breakouts that needs to go away forever! While toothpaste can dry out a pimple — thanks to ingredients like baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, or menthol — it can also seriously irritate the skin, especially if it is sensitive.
Treat: Turn to a spot treatment with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
You can also use pimple patches with ingredients like hydrocolloid to help draw out any impurities. These ingredients are dermatologist-approved for treating acne, working to kill bacteria and unclog pores.
For those with sensitive or reactive skin, try a product that contains calming ingredients, like tea tree oil or aloe vera, alongside acne-fighting actives to help minimize potential irritation.
Trick: Natural ingredients are always good for the skin.
Just because an ingredient is natural doesn’t mean you should put it on your skin. For example, applying pure essential oils like peppermint or lavender directly onto your face can cause skin sensitivity or allergic reactions.
Other natural ingredients, like baking soda, can be too harsh for the skin and disrupt its natural barrier.
Treat: Stick to products formulated for safe skin use.
Synthetic ingredients are not necessarily harmful, and many can be more stable and effective than their natural counterparts.
If you’re fixated on nature’s remedies, get off the DIY train and look for the many safe skincare products available that are created with natural ingredients (especially gentle ones like chamomile or aloe vera). Always do a patch test when trying a new product.
Trick: Oily skin doesn’t need moisturizer.
It seems counterproductive to add moisturizer to oily skin, but skipping it can actually make matters worse. Neglecting hydration and moisturization can cause the skin to overcompensate and produce even more oil.
Achieve the equilibrium your skin is seeking with a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer that won’t clog pores.
Treat: Look for gel-based moisturizers specifically designed for oily or combination skin.
These formulations provide hydration without feeling super heavy, and often contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, green tea, and niacinamide to keep skin balanced.
There is so much misinformation out there about skincare that it can be difficult to tell fact from fiction. Always follow the advice of licensed skincare experts like dermatologists and estheticians, and if you hear of a super cool skincare hack that sounds too good to be true — it usually is.
Give your skin the ultimate "treat" and put in the time to properly research products and elements you intend to use!
Kamira Felton, the Marketing Manager for American Salon, is a New York State-licensed esthetician with more than 5 years of experience in the beauty and spa industry. Passionate about skincare, Kamira dedicates her time to ingredient knowledge and on staying up-to-date on the latest products and how they affect skin health.