There are few areas of health and wellbeing as misunderstood as skincare. TikTok is overflowing with skincare “hacks” but when it comes to acne, misinformation spreads just as quickly as breakouts. This can even cause more harm than good in some cases, which is why it is important to address the myths and hacks. From toothpaste treatments to homemade face masks, let’s debunk skincare myths.
Toothpaste on Pimples
Toothpaste applied to pimples and spots is a beauty tip that dates back generations, but does it actually work? Though it might dry out a spot, toothpaste often contains ingredients that irritate and damage the skin. This is why it is best to avoid using toothpaste on a pimple. A safer alternative? Pimple patches gently draw out impurities without harming your skin barrier.
Lemon & Baking Soda Masks
Homemade masks are popular because they can help you make huge savings on store-bought masks, but you need to be very careful with the ingredients that you use to avoid damaging your skin. Lemon and baking soda masks are all over the internet, but they can be harmful as they can disrupt your skin’s natural pH balance and cause burns. The acidic mix will damage the protective barrier of the skin. Instead, try a gentle exfoliant with salicylic acid or niacinamide to brighten and treat safely.
Washing Your Face Whenever You’ve Left the House
Many people believe it is best to wash your face whenever you’ve left the house, but you need to be careful to avoid overwashing. Overwashing can actually strip your skin’s natural oils, triggering more oil production and breakouts. Remember, less is better, so stick to cleansing once or twice a day with a mild cleanser and treat spots gently.
Popping Pimples with Needles
Some say that popping pimples with a needle is the best way to get rid of them, but this can actually be dangerous if you are not careful. An unsterilised needle can cause infections. You might also penetrate other parts of your skin, causing additional damage, leading to scarring and infection. A gentler approach is to use a warm washcloth or compress.
These are a few of the most common misconceptions when it comes to skincare and all myths that could do more harm than good, and even cause lasting damage in some cases. There is a lot of misinformation out there in the social media age, so it is important that you are cautious when it comes to the advice you find online and only use information from a trusted and reputable source.
