Home remedies are great – especially if they are made from natural ingredients.

But as great as home remedies are, not all of them are safe for the skin. Some of these ingredients will do more harm to your skin than good.

This is why today, we will be talking about home remedies you should NEVER use on your skin.

Without wasting more time, let’s get down to business…

Home remedies/ingredients you should never use on your skin:

1. Hot water

I am sure you weren’t expecting to see this on the list – but I feel compelled to say this.

There are ladies who love to take their bathe with hot water which is not so bad, except for the fact that it damages your skin big time.

It strips your skin of its moisture and can cause irritation, dryness, and itching.

What’s worse is, since it dries out your skin excessively, your skin begins to produce excess oil to compensate, which can lead to more breakouts.

Though it feels good to bathe with hot water after a long day, don’t do it. A warm bath will do.

2. Toothpaste

Using toothpaste for your skin is so wrong on many levels.

There is a reason why it is called toothpaste and not skin paste. It was made for the teeth and not your skin!

Not only will toothpaste not work, it will irritate your skin because it is made with ingredients such as fragrances, peroxide, peppermint, etc. that can trigger skin irritations.

So, please do not use toothpaste on your skin, ever!

3. Mayonnaise

There is the notion that mayonnaise is good for hydrating the skin. That is not totally true.

It might be good for hydrating the hair but it definitely isn’t a good remedy for your skin. Sure, it doesn’t harm your skin immediately, but it clogs your skin pores.

So, instead of making your skin better, it can create a village for skin blemishes on your skin. Instead of mayonnaise, you can try using honey.

Honey is a great natural moisturizer and heals your skin instead of creating problems for it.

4. Baking soda

To be honest, I have never been a fan of baking soda.

It has a high level of alkaline on your skin which gives almost the same effect as applying acid on your skin.

The skin is already slightly acidic, so adding something that has a high pH will only cause more damage to your skin. Prolonged use of baking soda can destroy your skin’s barrier.

Baking soda contains a pH of 9 to 11, which is pretty high.

Bottom line: stay away from baking soda as much as you can.

5. Cinnamon

You probably have heard that this is a good home remedy, especially for treating acne.

To be honest, even I didn’t know it was bad for the skin, until when I was making my research to write this article.

This spice can not only irritate your skin but also cause allergies. For those with sensitive skin, this is a huge NO.

It can lead to redness, stinging feeling, burns, etc.

That someone used it and didn’t get a reaction doesn’t mean you won’t get a reaction. Remember our skin types differ and the level of skin sensitivity varies.

Apart from these, there are other home treatments that are good but can become quite harmful if you do not use them properly. Here are some of them:

If you must use the home remedies below, here are the rules….

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is one of the common natural ingredients used for home remedies.

We have been told that it works great as a natural toner and can be used to treat acne, hyperpigmentation, age spots, moles and skin tags.

While this might be true, the long terms result of apple cider vinegar is usually devastating. Apple cider vinegar contains a high level of acidity that can damage your skin tissue.

If you must use this, use a very small quantity and always dilute it. Never use raw apple cider vinegar alone. You can dilute it with water or honey.

The quantity of whatever you are using to dilute it should be five times (or even more) the quantity of apple cider vinegar.

Also, try not to make it a part of your everyday routine. Once you see changes in your skin, stop using it immediately.

2. Lime or lemon

Once again, these common fruits can help remove acne, clear off hyperpigmentation, remove spots, etc.

But they also contain high levels of acidity that can irritate your skin and cause inflammation.

The first rule is never to apply them directly on your skin. If you must use them, you have to first dilute them.

Make sure that you use little quantity in whatever mixture you include them in, and do not leave on your face for more than a few minutes.

You cannot apply lime to a mix and leave it on your face for 15 minutes, especially if it’s a mixture you use every day.

If you must use lime or lemon, use only at night. If you use them on your skin and go out in the sun, they can cause a sunburn.

Also, never forget to moisturize after using them.

In conclusion,

Not all home remedies are great for your skin.

Just as you would read about ingredients before you buy a skincare product, you should also read up on your DIY ingredients before you go ahead to apply them on your skin. A simple internet search can save your life skin.

If you have any questions, ensure to leave a comment. I always love hearing from you and will answer as soon as I can.