DIY beauty is a fantastic practice that can enhance your skin, hair, and nails naturally, however not all natural ingredients belong on your face. In some cases certain natural ingredients can cause damage and weaken the skin barrier.
First off let me preface this by saying I am a huge advocate for DIY beauty. I have been making my own skincare and haircare recipes since I was a young girl. DIY beauty is a huge part of my beauty routine and healthy lifestyle. I strongly believe in the power of using simple and natural ingredients.
Creating DIY beauty recipes can be quite empowering and help boost confidence. When we are in control of the ingredients we allow in and on our bodies we are healthier and more vibrant. DIY beauty can also be quite cost effective saving you money in the long run.
Before you start creating your own DIY beauty recipes it is important to learn about the science of the skin and how to protect the delicate skin on your face. A significant factor for maintaining healthy skin is to protect the skin barrier with ingredients that are safe to use on the skin.
Using the wrong DIY beauty ingredients can
Weaken the skin barrier
Cause micro tears that weaken collagen
Throw off the skin's balance and leave it vulnerable to bacteria and acne.
Cause Irritation
Cause chemical burns
Contribute to premature aging
Some natural DIY beauty ingredients may offer quick results but do not support the longevity of the skin. I always teach my natural beauty clients that it is far better to use gentle ingredients that support the health of the skin than it is to succumb to quick fixes that can cause damage and premature aging. Protecting the skin barrier is an essential part of maintaing healthy skin.
The following list of ingredients to avoid using on your face will help you learn about the importance of protecting your skin barrier and choosing safe ingredients for your DIY beauty recipes.
DIY beauty ingredients I suggest avoiding:
An Excess of essential oils
Essential oils can be an excellent way to support our health, wellness, and natural beauty, however they should be used in moderation, especially for those with sensitive or sentisized skin.
One of the top complaints I hear from women about natural beauty products is that they contain too many essential oils. I would have to agree. I don't understand why a significant number of natural beauty brands feel the need to add an excess of essential oils to their products. These fragranted oils sure do smell nice but they may not agree with everyone's skin type. Less is always more.
Did you know that using too many ingredients (even natural ingredients) can overwhelm the immune system?
Read my article "Skin Minimalism - Why it's Good for your Health and Beauty."
Abrasive Scrubs
The skin on our face is delicate and it does not like to be scratched with harsh ingredients. Facial scrubs with ground-up nut shells like walnut and apricot, sugar, salt, and coffee grounds can be too aggressive for the delicate skin on the face. These ingredients often have sharp edges that can cause micro-tears on the skin that damage collagen, damage the skin barrier, and create premature aging. When collagen is damaged it can result in sagging skin and less volume in the face.
Avoid abrasive ingredients in your DIY beauty recipes (and skincare) to protect your skin. Leave the abrasive scrubs for thicker skin like the body.
Check out my my DIY Coffee Body Scrub
Baking Soda
Baking soda is used in a lot of DIY beauty recipes but it can be quite irritating and can damage the skin barrier. Protecting your skin barrier is essential for supporting your immune system, beauty, and overall health. When you disrupt the skins acid mantel you can leave yourself vulnerable to opportunistic bacteria that can cause acne, skin irritation, health issues, and premature aging.
Just say no to baking soda, pretty please!
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is an ingredient that seems to be quite popular in DIY beauty. The citrus fruit is known for it's ability to lighten and brighten the skin. But at what cost to your beautiful face?
Let me tell you, lemon juice does not belong anywhere near the delicate skin on your face. Lemon juice can cause serious irritation, chemical burns, damage the skin barrier, and make the skin more suceptible to sun damage due to it's photo mutgagen properties. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade don't apply them to your face.
Warming Spices
Cinnamon spice and everything nice, but is it really? Not for your face. These wonderful culinary ingredients are perfect for healthy food recipes but should not be used in your DIY beauty recipes. Using ingredients such as cinnamon, ginger, and cayenne can cause irritation, chemical burns and damage the skin barrier. Keep these ingredients for your baking, soups, and stir frys instead of using them on your skin and hair.
Ingredients That Irritate Your Skin
Your skin is unique and that is beautiful. Each one of us has a different skin type. Always pay attention to your skin and how it reacts to certain ingredients. If you notice irritation, redness, excessive dryness, excess oil production, or imbalances it's important to listen to your skin and find a better routine.
A Word of Advice
It is important to have at least a basic understanding about the science of the skin. As well as chemistry and formulation to avoid harming your delicate facial skin with DIY ingredients.
Pinterest should not be your one stop shop for DIY beauty recipes. The majority of people sharing recipes on the platform do not have formal training in cosmetology or skincare formulation. Surely, they may have the best of intentions, however it is always important to do your own research and evaluate what works for your skin instead of blindly following advice from the interntet. You only get one face. Protect it and treat it well.
The world of DIY beauty is fantastic and I encourage you to try making your own products. Just be careful about the ingredients you choose and always do your research before applying anything to your face. When in doubt keep it simple and only use ingredients that support the skin barrier.
Sending you lots of love on your healthy beauty journey.
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