The internet is a wonderful place that's full of information about the things we love — but we don't think we need to remind you how much stuff on there is just plain wrong. Take beauty hacks, for instance. The internet's a veritable treasure trove of, shall we say, questionable beauty tips.
You know what we're talking about — these (usually natural) remedies typically promise miraculous results using household supplies, kitchen ingredients, etc. But before you start rummaging in your pantry, let us tell you: not all of these hacks work. In fact, some may even do more harm than good. So, from school supplies-cum-miracle blackhead treatments to facial masks made with ingredients from your pantry, check out these five popular beauty hacks — and why you should never try them.
Image via Imaxtree
Using toothpaste as a spot acne treatment
This one's been around forever. Legend has it, a simple dab of toothpaste is all you need to eradicate stubborn zits. Unfortunately, according to dermatologists, this hack is outdated. You see, toothpaste used to be made with triclosan, a chemical ingredient that kills bacteria. But nowadays, companies have stopped using triclosan in toothpaste because the chemical could affect your thyroid hormones.
Toothpaste is also formulated for your teeth, not your skin, so using even just a tiny bit may cause irritation (and even more pimples). It's just not worth the risk. Using a spot acne treatment is generally a much better bet.
Image via Getty
Applying lemon juice on your skin
There are so many DIY skin care recipes that prominently feature lemon juice. It's true, lemons are rich in vitamin C, which is known for its skin brightening effects, but applying lemon juice directly on your skin is still a big no-no. Lemon juice is generally way too acidic to safely be used on skin and it's not like Mother Nature does clinicals on her lemon trees — each one is different. Best case scenario, you over-exfoliate and end up with increased sun sensitivity. Worst case scenario, you get chemical burns. You're better off with a Vitamin C serum that's been specially formulated to brighten your skin.
Image via Florencia Potter on Unsplash
Using deodorant as a makeup primer
A beauty blogger once claimed that using deodorant on the T-zone area before putting on makeup helped reduce oiliness and sweat. But just because it worked on one person doesn't mean it will on you. In fact, dermatologists have already disputed this famous beauty hack.
Sure, it may sound convincing — after all, your deodorant or antiperspirant keeps underarms from sweating, so why won't it work on your face? Well, for one, deodorants are often made with pore-clogging ingredients such as magnesium and parabens — and no one wants clogged pores. Besides, if you have super oily skin, there are plenty of amazing oil-control products that will (safely) keep shine at bay.
Using glue to remove blackheads
As a kid, you probably tried putting glue on your fingers and had fun peeling off the dried glue. The same concept applies in this beauty hack, where some beauty bloggers claimed that using glue like a pore strip can remove blackheads. Well, guess what? It so doesn't work. The glue isn't strong enough to grab any of the gunk out of your skin and, even worse, it's made with polymers and chemicals that are not supposed to be applied in your face.
Now milk mixed with gelatin? That's a different story.
