In the world of skincare, there are so many hacks and tips that can help you save money or even find ways to be more efficient with your time in the morning. However, not all of these tricks are worth trying, and many can actually do lasting damage to your skin! In this blog post, we’ll explore 10 popular skincare hacks that should be left behind in the past and why they can damage your skin over time.
1) Exfoliate every day
One of the most popular skincare hacks is to exfoliate every day, but this can actually damage your skin. Exfoliating too often can strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and irritated. If you do exfoliate, be sure to use a gentle product and only do it once or twice a week.
2) The importance of pH balance
pH balance is important for healthy skin because it helps the skin maintain its acid mantle, which is a thin layer of oil that helps protect the skin from bacteria and other environmental aggressors. When the acid mantle is disrupted, it can lead to dryness, redness, and irritation.
3) The risk of using microbeads in your skincare products
Microbeads are a type of plastic that is often used in skincare products as an exfoliant. However, these tiny beads can actually damage your skin. Microbeads can cause micro-tears in the skin, which can lead to irritation, inflammation, and even infection. Additionally, microbeads are not biodegradable, so they can accumulate in the environment and damage ecosystems.
4) Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
One popular skincare hack is using products with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), but this ingredient can actually damage your skin. SLS is a harsh cleansing agent that can strip away your skin’s natural oils, causing dryness, irritation, and redness. Plus, it can disrupt your skin’s barrier function, making you more susceptible to environmental aggressors like pollution and free radicals. If you’re looking for a gentle cleanser, be sure to choose one that’s SLS-free.
5) Let your skin breathe
One of the most popular skincare hacks is to let your skin breathe. This means not wearing makeup or using any type of product that could clog your pores. However, this hack can actually be terrible for your skin. If you don’t wear makeup or use any type of skincare product, your skin will become dry and dull. You need to find a balance between giving your skin a break and keeping it hydrated and healthy.
6) DIY everything?
You might think that you’re saving money by making all your skincare products at home, but the truth is that DIY-ing everything can actually be pretty terrible for your skin. For one thing, you might not be using the right ingredients for your skin type. And even if you are using the right ingredients, you might not be mixing them in the right proportions. So before you start whipping up homemade skincare concoctions, take a step back and consider whether or not it’s really worth it.
7) Using items from around the house to cleanse your face
There are a ton of popular skincare hacks that involve using items from around your house, like lemons, baking soda, and even coffee grounds. But just because something is natural, doesn’t mean it’s good for your skin. In fact, some of these ingredients can be pretty harsh on your skin and cause irritation, redness, and even breakouts. So before you start DIY-ing your skincare routine, make sure you know what you’re doing.
8) Alcohol doesn’t fix anything!
We’ve all been there – a big night out followed by less-than- desirable skin the next day. You may have heard that splashing some alcohol on your face will help fix things, but the truth is that it will only make things worse. Alcohol is a drying agent and can strip your skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, redness, and irritation. So next time you’re tempted to reach for the vodka, think twice!
9) Baking soda and coconut oil are not skin saviors
Despite what you may have seen on social media, using baking soda or coconut oil on your skin is not a good idea. In fact, these popular skincare hacks can actually damage your skin. Coconut oil has been shown to clog pores and make acne worse, while baking soda can increase dryness in the long run.
Baking soda has also been linked to increased sun sensitivity and accelerated aging of the skin. If you want to use it for cleaning purposes instead of skincare, then be sure to use it with caution and only in diluted amounts!
10) Anti-aging is more than one size fits all
When it comes to anti-aging, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Just as each person’s skin is unique, so too are the best ways to care for it. What works for your friend might not work for you, and what works today might not work tomorrow. The best way to care for your skin is to experiment and find what works best for you. But be warned: some popular skincare hacks can actually damage your skin.
