Yes, skin care DIY time can be fun... but it's not always good for you. There are lots of natural ingredients out there that can actually damage your skin.
Think twice about ingredients from your refrigerator and/or kitchen cupboard. "Raw" or "natural" ingredients aren't necessarily good for your skin — in fact, they often need to be diluted or sanitized properly before you use them.
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Egg whites
Many websites will tell you that an egg white mask can tighten your skin and have "anti-aging effects" (eye roll), but according to Healthline, this isn't true. Any tightening effects will disappear as soon as you wash your face — plus, there are many other risks including salmonella infections, allergic reactions and skin irritation.
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Lemon or lime juice
Citrus juices are said to help lighten dark spots... but it could also cause second degree burns. Yes, the juice contains vitamin C and alpha hydroxy acids, which might seem like a good thing, but remember that these ingredients are used in much lower (and thus, safer) concentrations in your skin care products.
NYC-based dermatologist Dr. Michelle Green explained to Greatist that DIY citrus juice treatments "can cause severe irritation, especially for those patients that have sensitive skin." So, steer clear — you're better off with a good vitamin C serum or AHA toner!
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Cinnamon
Remember a few years ago there was a cinna-mask challenge and everyone was saying how amazing it was... until people started reporting that it burned their faces? Yeah, it's not something you should apply to your face.
Facialist and skin care expert Andy Millward told Metro UK that while, yes, there are potential skin care benefits to cinnamon, applying it directly to your face could cause irritation, such as contact dermatitis.
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Apple cider vinegar
It's been touted to help everything from skin blemishes to sunburns, but Medical News Today says there is little evidence to support these theories. And though some claim that using diluted ACV could help restore the skin's proper pH balance, this hasn't yet been proven.
Even diluted solutions of apple cider vinegar could cause chemical burns, so be very careful. And if you have a pre-existing skin condition, be sure to speak to your doctor before trying any DIY ACV treatments.
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