Skincare Expert Wants You to STOP Using These DIY Ingredients ASAP!

From applying undiluted apple cider vinegar directly on acne to using abrasive physical exfoliants such as sugar as scrubs, not everything you see on the Internet actually works!   

"When it comes to beauty, I do support DIY beauty hacks but only to the extent that it can be practised safely and brings on results for the effort. However, most of the information, therapies, recipes, tricks or as they say “beauty hacks” available on the internet and social media are not credible, authentic, or endorsed by experts in the area. In beauty and personal care DIY, what matters is the right ingredients for your skin type and not overusing the ingredients because excess of everything is bad. One should avoid going DIY on products that require storage over time as we are not adding any preservation to the DIY formulas," says Pooja Nagdev, aromatherapist, cosmetologist and founder of Inatur.

Here is her pick of ingredients that need to be used carefully else they can do more harm than good:

Raw sugar, walnut or apricot scrubs

"Using ground-up walnut or apricot shells and sugar for at-home scrubs is not recommended. The size of particles in such physical scrubs is uneven and sometimes can cause micro-cuts to the epidermis. Instead, you can try using fruit seeds for exfoliation as they are much softer and when they contact with water or anything liquid they become softer making them better exfoliants."

Essential oils

"Essential oils are highly volatile. Though from a natural source, they have a chemical composition with ketones, aldehydes, and esters. One should never apply them directly to the skin or scalp without diluting them or under the direct guidance of a professional. It is essential to add the correct quantity to one’s face, body creams, and bath."

Milk cream

"Applying (malai) milk cream could result in an allergic reaction. Milk cream is thick and clogs our skin pores which may lead to breakouts. One should take care while applying milk cream on the face. If you must apply it, make sure to wash it off after application with a mild sulphate-free face wash to unclog the pores."

DIY hair masks

"Our hair needs constant nourishment. But, a DIY hair mask with eggs or other natural powders can weigh your hair down causing breakage. Also, there is a common myth that leaving mask for longer periods is more beneficial. The fact is that when the mask dries on the scalp it makes it difficult to remove it. It is wise to apply the hair mask for 30-40 minutes max and then, rinse with water followed by a shampoo to unclog the pores. The better way is to add natural ingredients to your regular hair treatment mask. That will be easy in application and non-messy." 

Apple cider vinegar

"Long-term use of undiluted apple cider vinegar can make your skin uneven. Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic in nature and should be used in a small quantity for spot correction. Excessive use can cause skin burns. Therefore, it should be used sparingly, and treatments shouldn’t be done more than twice a month."