10 things you should never use on your face

Different people recommend different things to use on your face for smooth, glowing acne-free skin, you need to be careful so as not to make your situation worse.

Your face is the first thing people notice about you. Certain ingredients can darken, irritate and even burn your skin. While some of these things may not affect your skin immediately you use them, they can be detrimental in the long run.

Here is a list of some things you should NEVER apply to your face;

1. Toothpaste

Toothpaste is popular as a DIY remedy for blackheads and zits. Toothpaste contains strong ingredients that can irritate your skin, therefore using toothpaste on your face can lead to burn, redness, and even infections.

2. Body lotion

When you run out of facial moisturizer, you might be tempted to substitute it with your body lotion. Resist this temptation. Most body lotions are thicker than facial moisturizers so they are more likely to clog your pores. They may also contain fragrances and other ingredients that can cause allergic reactions to the delicate skin of your face.

3. Lemon juice

This is another very popular ingredient in DIYs. Lemon contains vitamin C which indeed can brighten your skin and smoothen fine lines, but lemon is acidic and can irritate your face. Psoralen, a chemical found in lemon makes your skin sensitive to light, so going out under the sun after using lemon juice can result in chemical burn.

4. Hot water

Direct use of hot water on your face will strip your face of its moisture, making it dry and dull. It can also result in burns. Instead of hot water, wash your face with lukewarm water.

5. Baking soda

Because of its versatility, baking soda may have been used to cure acne. However, baking soda is alkaline in nature and will disrupt your skin's pH balance resulting in breakouts.

6. Urine

Urine contains mostly water and a compound called urea. Many creams include a lab-made form of urea because it binds to moisture in the air and draws it to your skin. For this reason, some people believe pee is the secret to smooth skin. Apart from the fact that it's just gross, urine does not contain enough urea for it to matter.

7. Nail polish

Using nail polish for face painting is a popular hack. However, nail polish contains acrylic molecules that can harm your facial skin, stripping away moisture from your face, leaving it dry and dull.

8. Mayonnaise

This ingredient is used in a lot of DIY masks because it is hydrating, but only to your hair. It is not a good idea to put it on your face because it is acidic and occlusive, thereby clogging your pores.

9. Hair spray

Hair spray is a common substitute for setting spray in makeup. However, it is a completely bad idea because hair sprays contain alcohol which reduces your skin's moisture level.

10. Expired skincare products

This is a no-brainer. Keep a check on the expiry date of your products and throw them out once they expire. Under no condition should you apply an expired product on your skin.