DIY skin are question.

Dec 22, 2014

Logan C.

So I've read online that applying lemon juice on your face is good but also reviews that it's really bad. But I was also reading that using strawberry juice is good for your skin. I know it's acidic like lemons but not as acidic and I haven't read any bad reviews online about it but I'm wondering is this okay to use?? Or is it bad like lemon juice?

Dec 22, 2014

Alyssa G.

I actually know a lot of people that use strawberries on their skin... Either make a paste or slice up a strawberry and rub it on their face. My skin is too sensitive but it makes their skin look great.

Dec 22, 2014

Emily C.

I love the lemon juice. I have very sensitive skin and acne prone. It smooths out my complexion, clears poors, evens skin tone, and makes my skin have more of a glow. I use it with manuka honey.

Dec 22, 2014

Logan C.

Thanks! And Emily just be careful with the lemon juice. I used it a few times on my acne prone skin and loved it as well. However Paula's choice reviewed it has being phototoxic or something? It makes your skin super sensitive to sunlight even if you wash it off the residue lasts for up to 12 hours and long term effects can cause red/ brown marks and sun damage. Just a warning bc I didn't know about this either! :)

Dec 23, 2014

Shauna S.

I definitely wouldn't recommend lemon juice or any acidic citrus juices on your skin. it can make your skin very sensitive and more prone to burning in the sun. what are you looking to improve about your skin?

Dec 23, 2014

Emily W.

Lemon juice is very high in citric acid, a photosensitive chemical. When exposed to light, it begins a reaction that leads to burns, bleached spots, and hyperpigmentation. It strips the skin of its protective lipid layer, leaving it dry, sensitive, and prone to damage. It also means that you are very sensitive to UV radiation, increasing your risk of burns (and thus skin cancer), especially if used repeatedly.

It has little benefit to the skin. It can dry out acne (along with the rest of your skin) and reduce darkness (it is a bleaching agent), but it causes so many WORSE problems with repeated use.

Strawberries are also acidic, and though they are not as concentrated as citrus fruits, they will still cause the same issues.

Honey is also not advisable for use on the face. Honey contains pollen and royal jelly, potential allergens. Even if you eat honey, you may still have a potentially serious reaction if you apply it topically. Additionally, natural honey contains hydrogen peroxide, which is photosensitive and can lead to bleached or dark spots over time. Honey is mildly antibacterial, sure, but less so than a regular soap and not enough to be of benefit to acne sufferers. It is a weak humectant, trapping moisture near the skin. However, it does not perform as well as a plain moisturizer. Given the weak benefits and risk of reaction, you're better off sticking with an actual product formulated for use on the face.

Many DIY recipes have a tenuous understanding of chemistry at best, and ate often completely misguided. In many instances, these pantry experiments lead to more problems (up to and including serious, potentially life-threatening reactions). Save your money and your skin, and leave the stuff in your kitchen to baking.

Dec 23, 2014

Emily W.

*are (stupid phone!)

Dec 23, 2014

Logan C.

Shauna I was looking for DIY exfoliation. I use the first step of proactive + as my cleanser daily which has cleared up my acne and keeps my skin in good condition (I know many people hate it but I've been using it for years and love it) I only use step 1 though everything else dries my skin out. but I'm not sure if I should be exfoliating in addition once a week as well. Technically the cleanser is called 'skin smoothing exfoliator' so I'm wary of using an additional exfoliator. I thought something natural might be better and read strawberry juice could be exfoliating but obviously it's bad! Thanks for the explanation Emily I will not be using any citrus fruits on skin anymore! Luckily I've only used them two or three times.

Dec 23, 2014

Jack B.

If you're looking for a natural exfoliant, try a Konjac sponge. They're made from Konjac potatoes and are super gentle manual exfoliators. You can pick one up from Eco tools for $5 and they last about 3 months.

Dec 23, 2014

Emily W.

Logan if it is a chemical exfoliant, you don't need a physical one. Chances are it contains salicylic acid, which is an exfoliant. If it says anything about AHAs, BHAs, salicylic acid, or glycolic acid, it is an exfoliant.

Jack, have you used that particular konjac sponge (or any other ones)? I've been curious about them since I prefer physical exfoliants for my dry skin.

Dec 23, 2014

Jack B.

Emily, I love love love Konjac sponges. I know Boscia sells one through sephora for like $18 which is absurd. My favorite is from the brand my Konjac sponge, available on Amazon for like $7. It's a little thinner than the Eco tools one and has a string, so it dries better (they need to dry out between uses to stave off bacteria). I use one almost every night unless I'm feeling extra lazy. My skin is on the dry side of normal and it's perfect for getting rid of/preventing dry spots. I prefer to use it after washing my face rather than with my cleanser on it, and if you've got any breakouts I'd suggest doing a really light wash after using it in case it opens any of them up and spreads bacteria around.

Dec 23, 2014

Logan C.

Thanks Jack I'll check it out! And Emily it contains benzoyl peroxide 2.5% but no salicylic acid. I'll check the ingredient list for the rest of those things though thanks.

Dec 24, 2014

Shauna S.

I like to make my own exfoliator because I know it's gentle and won't irritate my skin. I blend up some oats and add a tablespoon of honey and a tablespoon of olive oil. You can grind up the oats so it's not too abrasive or you can leave them in bigger chunks if you need something more heavy duty. It leaves my face feeling nice and soft.

Dec 24, 2014

Logan C.

Thank you shauna! What do you think about using baking soda? And mixing it into a paste with water or olive oil?