11 Things You Need to STOP Using on Your Face

In a world full of chemical-based skin care products, beauty hacks, homemade face masks, home remedies for skin woes, etc., it’s only normal that you get tempted and give these above-mentioned things a try. Although the increasing awareness about the chemicals present in skin care products may have made women resort to natural, homemade ingredients more often, not all of them are deemed to be safe. Whether you choose chemical-based cosmetics or not – you must know what is good for your face and what’s not!

Stop Using These 11 Things on Your Face

For healthy skin, there are a few things that shouldn’t be applied on your face. Do you want to know what these ingredients are? Find out!

1. Body Lotion

Body lotion is the first thing on our list because we know many people use it frequently on their face when they run out of face creams or sunscreen. Most people slather it on their face thinking that all skincare products are the same, but that’s not true!

Body lotions are thicker, oilier, and more fragrant than actual face creams, which are formulated for use on your facial skin. Applying these on your face can lead to allergic reactions and breakouts. Hence, you must use gentle, oil-free, and fragrance-free facial creams or moisturisers.

2. Sugar

Sugar is commonly used in DIY scrubs for the face and other areas on your body. But using sugar as an exfoliant on your face can be abrasive for your skin. It can scratch your soft skin, causing micro-tears, so it’s best avoided.

3. Hot Water

Just as you wouldn’t use hot water to wash your hair, don’t use it on your face either. A steam facial works in favour of your skin, but it should not be replaced with hot water, as hot water can lead to the loss of moisture from the outermost layer of your skin, making it dry. You can wash your face with lukewarm water, or opt for a steam facial.

4. Lemon

You all know what you have to do when life gives you lemons – yes, that’s right – make lemonade! However, what you shouldn’t be doing is rubbing slices of lemon on your face! Lemons have many benefits, but applying its juice on your face won’t do you any good. Lemons contain a chemical called psoralen, which can make your skin sensitive to light. If you go out after applying lemon juice on your face, it can cause irritation or even burn your skin. In fact, if you go out after putting anything citrusy on your face, you can get a chemical burn called phytophotodermatitis. For bleaching and lightening purposes, it would be better to stick to potato or tomato slices.

5. Toothpaste

Many people apply toothpaste on their face to get rid of blackheads and zits, but it’s not recommended at all, as it can lead to the development of burns or infections on the affected area. In fact, your pimples may just look a bit too red after having toothpaste dabbed on them. So, from now on, use toothpaste only on your teeth, where it’s meant to be used, and not on your face!

6. Baking Soda

Baking soda is one of the most versatile ingredients found in a kitchen. From baking cakes to cleaning bathroom grout – we use baking soda for a lot of things. And its multipurpose nature also makes us use it on our face to get rid of acne or for opening up our pores. If you are also someone who uses it on your face, then it’s time to stop! Baking soda is highly alkaline in nature, and rubbing it on your face can diminish the pH balance of your skin, making it dry.

Our skin’s natural pH balance helps it maintain its protective barrier and protects it from the bacteria. However, if the pH balance of your skin is disrupted, it will be difficult for your face to maintain its natural pH, which can, thus, lead to breakouts. Hence, it is wise to give this ingredient a miss when it comes to applying it on your face!

7. Soap

Now, you may ask what’s wrong with using soap on your face, because – let’s be honest – almost all of us have used soap on our face before the attractive face wash came into existence. But there must a reason for it, right? And there is!

We need to strip our skin of excess oils, but not of natural oils. Natural oils keep our skin hydrated and protected. However, if you use a soap bar on your face, it can dry out your skin too much (yes, it may strip the skin of its natural oils), making it rough, itchy, and inflamed. It’s always better to opt for a mild face wash or cleanser to wash your face.

8. Coconut Oil

Now this one is especially for people with oily skin. Similar to body lotion, coconut oil is viscous, which is why the skin on our face takes time to absorb it. This leads to the oil clogging your pores, leading to breakouts and acne. So, if you are keen on using oils on your face, use olive oil, but in limited quantities. You can pour a few drops of olive oil on to a cotton ball and gently apply it on your face.

9. Hair Sprays

This may seem rather odd, but believe us, there are some people who use hair sprays on their face thinking that it will help set their makeup, just like it sets their hair in place. But that’s not true! Hair sprays contain alcohol which can strip your skin of moisture. This can make your skin dry and look aged.

10. Nail Polish

This may seem like a no-brainer, but then there are some people who tend to use nail polish on their face in place of face paint. But no, it should not be used as face paint. The acrylic molecules in nail polishes can strip your skin of moisture, leaving it dry. So, don’t ever apply it on your face, even if DIY tutorials suggest otherwise.

11. Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise tastes great in burgers and sandwiches, and it’s good for the hair too – so, continue using it for these purposes only. Mayonnaise is a popular ingredient in many DIY treatments for hair health, but it’s not recommended in face packs. Mayonnaise is acidic and occlusive, i.e., it will stop your skin from ‘breathing’ and clog the pores on your face.

12. Shampoo

Shampoo lather tends to drip down on to our face when we wash our hair, and that foam ends up making our skin look and feel dry. Our hair needs strong foaming agents to get rid of the dirt and oil in it, but our face needs mild cleansing agents. Shampoos can clean your hair shaft but not the delicate skin on your face. If you’re constantly letting the foam drip down on to your face and not washing it off thoroughly, it can make your skin dry and flaky.

There are some ingredients that you should keep away from your face. For fresh and younger-looking skin, drink lots of water. You can even use face creams, moisturisers, and homemade face masks and creams, but do watch out for the ingredients that are used in these items. For healthy skin, avoid using the above-mentioned ingredients on your face!

Also Read:

Ingredients to Look for in Your Skin Care Products
Common Skin Care Mistakes You Could Be Making
Natural Homemade Face Packs for Instant Glow