Beware! Applying these 5 things to your face can ruin your skin

Applying anything and everything to your face may lead to some severe skincare issues. These problems can prolong, if you do not exercise enough caution.
skin care mistakes
Keep your face away from these things! Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Shifa Khan Published: 15 Jan 2022, 12:00 pm IST
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Don’t you wish for a clean porcelain-like skin that’s flawless and radiant? And in that pursuit, you start focusing on a skincare routine. That’s a good practice to follow. However, most of us take our skin for granted! We slather on the most chemical-laden cosmetics without any thought, leave makeup on due to sheer laziness, and commit so many other mistakes.

Some of you ladies try all the skincare DIYs available on the internet without considering many factors. Your skin type and the effects of those ingredients on your face should be kept in mind before hopping on any trend.

These mistakes can not only cause skin allergies, burns, boils and hyperpigmentation but also make you look aged sooner. Yes ladies, we know it sounds like a nightmare, but it’s true!

Dr Stuti Khare Shukla, Dermatologist and Founder of Elements of Aesthetics, spoke to HealthShots about the effects of wrong ingredients or products on your face. She also shared a list of 5 things you may be applying to your face but should stop!

Avoid applying these 5 things to your face:

1. Bar Soap

Have you used bar soap on your face in the absence of a face wash or just because you were too lazy to find one while showering? This is your sign to stop. Dr Shukla says, “A bar soap has alkaline pH while your skin has an acidic pH. Therefore, it disrupts your skin’s moisture barrier and causes a lot of skin issues like dryness and flakiness which can make your skin become sensitive permanently.”

vaginal itching
Using a soap on your face isn’t a good idea! mage courtesy: Shutterstock

2. Petroleum Jelly

If you’ve applied petroleum jelly to your skin during the cold weather, you are self-inviting skin problems. One should not use petroleum jelly on the face because it is a very thick occlusive. It makes a very thick layer on your skin and that might again cause various problems. People who have oily skin may experience more acne and breakouts on their skin. To moisturize your skin correctly, opt for a humectant or a lightweight moisturizer that seeps in through your skin. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid when buying a moisturizer. Dr Shukla does not recommend using petroleum jelly on your skin unless you are experiencing intense flaking of skin and skin problems like eczema.

3. Toothpaste

Well, this one emerged as a viral acne remedy and took the world by storm. However, applying toothpaste on your face may be the worst skincare mistake you’re making. Spot treating your acne or pimples with toothpaste can burn your skin sometimes, due to the presence of chemicals which are not suited for skin. “Toothpaste cannot stop your acne from flaring up. It can dry up the acne sometimes but also leave a bad mark on your face. It is important for patients to understand that a dermatologist’s opinion is best when you’re concerned about your acne.” says Dr Shukla.

home remedies for pimples
Whatever happens do not squeeze your zits or apply toothpaste on them! Image courtesy: Shutterstock

4. Rubbing alcohol

Alcohol is something that’s not meant for your skin. And if you rub your skin with alcohol, it can make your skin more dry and sensitive which may progress into other skin troubles. According to Dr Shukla, “Rubbing alcohol may further disrupt your skin’s barrier. Therefore, it is better to refrain from applying alcohol to your skin.”

5. Body lotion

Do you pump out a dollop of your body lotion and apply it all over your face and neck too? You got to stop! The skin on the face is much thinner and more delicate. And no matter how similar your body lotion looks to your facial moisturiser, it is not made for your face! Usually body lotions contain heavier ingredients like butter and oils in their formulations which do not sit well on your facial skin. These heavier ingredients can worsen skin concerns like acne.

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About the Author

An aesthete and a skincare junkie, Shifa spends most of her time cooking delish food while wearing a sheet mask. At HealthShots, she creates high-octane content that can leave you all a little intrigued! ...Read More

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