6 DIY beauty ingredients that do more harm than good

Replace with: OTC salicylic acid spot treatment

#3- Crack the eggs for breakfast, not a mask

This common DIY ingredient is pretty popular for both skin and hair treatments. “Eggs can contain salmonella. Mistakenly ingest any of it and you will be at risk of developing gut infections—think diarrhoea, fever, and lots of pain,” she says. In rare cases, salmonella can even infect your skin. “Your skin needs protein and the best way to get that is to eat the egg cooked, and not put it on your face.”

#4 – Vinegar is for salad dressings

Vinegar as a household surface cleaner? Great! Vinegar as a skincare toner? Not really. Dr Shirolikar says, “Vinegar doesn’t have a basic pH like baking soda, however, repeated applications can lead to superficial burns.” The other side effects include skin irritation, increased sunburn, and even depigmentation. So the next time you go spritzing and toning your skin with vinegar, think again!

Replace with: A clarifying toner 

#5 – Don’t ‘scrub’ your skin away

Exfoliating doesn’t necessarily mean literally scrubbing your skin off. The use of at-home scrubs with sugar or coffee grounds can do more harm than good. “These particles do not have regular edges, which can lead to micro-tears in the skin,” she says. “You could land up with red, itchy, blotchy skin which may burn on application of any serum or cream.” According to Dr Shirolikar, the micro-tears facilitate the entry of bacteria, which can lead to infections. This can also cause pigmentation and scarring.

Replace with: Chemical exfoliants such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid

# 6 – Coconut oil is miraculous for your hair and body, not face

This grandmother approved oil is probably one of the best DIY solutions for your hair and body, however it isn’t the best for your skin—especially if you are acne-prone. It is making the rounds for being a great acne-buster due to its antibacterial properties, however the fact that it is comedogenic by nature, is often ignored. “Coconut oil can clog pores, causing acne,” she says. When applied on the skin, this oil forms a layer that lies on the surface—since the molecules are too big, it doesn’t get absorbed into the skin causing your pores to get clogged.

Replace with: A non-comedogenic cleanser or makeup remover 

Also read: 

Mira Kapoor swears by this DIY ingredient for flawless skin 

Miranda Kerr on her love for turmeric, crystals and considering skincare as a self-care practice

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