Making homemade shampoos, masks and other remedies to apply to your face, body or scalp can be more dangerous than it seems. Although the internet is full of tutorials and tips on homemade cosmetics, the truth is that these practices can cause contact dermatitis and take you straight to the doctor's office.
The cosmetics industry is highly regulated, with professional formulators who have scientific knowledge and rigorous product development. They thoroughly test each ingredient to ensure it is safe and effective. When you decide to make cosmetics in your kitchen, you are bypassing this safety process and exposing your skin to unnecessary risks.
The cosmetics industry is highly regulated, with professional formulators who have scientific knowledge and rigorous product development. They thoroughly test each ingredient to ensure it is safe and effective. When you decide to make cosmetics in your kitchen, you are bypassing this safety process and exposing your skin to unnecessary risks.
Homemade Cosmetics: The Risk Behind Simplicity
Homemade cosmetics are often promoted as “natural” and safe solutions, but this idea can be misleading. Although some ingredients such as honey or coconut oil are known for their benefits, the truth is that combining ingredients without proper knowledge can result in adverse reactions.
Imagine that you decide to make a face mask with lemon, believing that the vitamin C will help to lighten dark spots. What many people don’t know is that lemon can cause photosensitivity, increasing the risk of sunburn. And if you apply one of these masks and go out in the sun, you could have serious consequences for your skin, including dark spots or even burns.
Additionally, many homemade cosmetics do not contain adequate preservatives, which can allow bacteria and fungi to grow. Applying a contaminated product to your skin can cause infections and aggravate existing skin problems.
Additionally, many homemade cosmetics do not contain adequate preservatives, which can allow bacteria and fungi to grow. Applying a contaminated product to your skin can cause infections and aggravate existing skin problems.
Why you should avoid DIY (Do It Yourself) cosmetics:
- Safety: Lack of control over the quality and purity of ingredients or stability of the formula.
- Risks: Possible allergic reactions and contact dermatitis.
- Efficiency: There is no guarantee that the homemade formula will have the expected results.
Toothpaste on Pimples: Myth or Miracle?
Another popular home remedy is using toothpaste to “dry out pimples.” This advice has been around for years, with many people swearing that it works. But here’s the thing: toothpaste is not meant to be applied to the skin.
Toothpaste contains ingredients like fluoride and sodium lauryl sulfate, which can be quite irritating to the skin. While some toothpaste ingredients, like baking soda, can temporarily dry out the pimple, the truth is that regular use of this method can cause irritation, redness, and even make the problem worse.
If you're the type of person who says, "But it works for me!", who am I to argue with you? However, as a pharmacist, my recommendation is clear: don't use toothpaste on your skin . There are specific products, studied and tested, developed to treat acne. Why not use them? They contain ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, which are effective and safe for use on the skin.
If you're the type of person who says, "But it works for me!", who am I to argue with you? However, as a pharmacist, my recommendation is clear: don't use toothpaste on your skin . There are specific products, studied and tested, developed to treat acne. Why not use them? They contain ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, which are effective and safe for use on the skin.
Question for reflection:
Would you brush your teeth with face cream? If the answer is "no", why would you apply a toothpaste to your face?
Homemade Sunscreens: A Dangerous Gamble
Among the most concerning DIYs are homemade sunscreens. This trend is alarming because it can seriously compromise skin health. Sunscreens are highly regulated products designed to protect against ultraviolet (UV) rays, which are responsible for sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer.
Homemade sunscreens often include ingredients such as natural oils (coconut oil, carrot oil, etc.) and zinc oxide. While zinc oxide is an effective mineral sunscreen, improper homemade formulations do not ensure that it is evenly distributed or provides the necessary protection. In addition, many of the natural oils used have an extremely low sun protection factor (SPF), which is insufficient to protect the skin from solar radiation.
Using a DIY sunscreen can create a false sense of security, leading you to believe that you are protected, when in fact your skin is exposed to the dangers of UV rays.
Homemade sunscreens often include ingredients such as natural oils (coconut oil, carrot oil, etc.) and zinc oxide. While zinc oxide is an effective mineral sunscreen, improper homemade formulations do not ensure that it is evenly distributed or provides the necessary protection. In addition, many of the natural oils used have an extremely low sun protection factor (SPF), which is insufficient to protect the skin from solar radiation.
Using a DIY sunscreen can create a false sense of security, leading you to believe that you are protected, when in fact your skin is exposed to the dangers of UV rays.
Why Avoid DIY Sunscreens?
- Inadequate protection: Homemade formulas do not provide the necessary SPF (often only 2)
- Serious risks: Inadequate exposure to UV rays can cause burns, spots and increase the risk of skin cancer.
- Misleading confidence: Believing you are protected when you are not can have long-term consequences.
The Importance of Regulated Products
- The products we find on the shelves of pharmacies, perfumeries and supermarkets are subjected to rigorous testing to ensure that they meet safety and efficacy standards. From development to marketing, they go through several stages of evaluation to ensure that they are suitable for human skin. In the case of sunscreens, they are tested in a laboratory to ensure the advertised sun protection factor.
- Trusting regulated products is the safest way to care for your skin, prevent damage, and ensure that the products you're using do what they promise.
While it may be tempting to try home remedies, it’s important to understand the risks that these practices can entail. Whether it’s shampoo, a face mask, using toothpaste on pimples, or even creating a homemade sunscreen, all of these methods carry dangers that can compromise the health of your skin.
At Farma to Go, we advocate the use of safe and regulated products for all skin types. If you have questions about which product is best for your skin type or about suitable treatments, consult a healthcare professional. Your skin is precious, and deserves to be cared for with products that have been specifically developed for its well-being.
Maria Jose Sampaio
Pharmaceutical
At Farma to Go, we advocate the use of safe and regulated products for all skin types. If you have questions about which product is best for your skin type or about suitable treatments, consult a healthcare professional. Your skin is precious, and deserves to be cared for with products that have been specifically developed for its well-being.
Maria Jose Sampaio
Pharmaceutical