We’re aware of the importance of using natural ingredients over synthetics for healthier, smoother, and clearer skin, but sometimes we take it to the extreme.

 There are thousands of articles focusing on DIY beauty recipes to help with anything from clearing acne to fading hyperpigmentation, all with ingredients found in your kitchen. If this sounds too good to be true, it’s because most of the time, it is. Many of the ingredients recommended should be used for food purposes only and kept far away from your skin!

Keep reading for 3 of the most common DIY skin care recipes and healthier alternatives.

Facial Salt Scrubs to Exfoliate

You’ve more than likely spotted a DIY salt scrub on Pinterest, promising to slough away dead skin cells and leave your skin glowing.

While salt granules can certainly remove dead skin, it is quite a harsh method of exfoliation, and if you even slightly overdo it, you can be left with dry, red and irritated skin. Generally, these salt scrubs only make your skin feel amazing in the short-term due to the oils in which they’re suspended.

Instead, exfoliate away your troubles the natural way with our CTRL: Soothing Triple Clay Mask, which doubles as a deep cleanser and will leave your skin silky soft, without stripping it of excess oils or causing any irritation. Simply use a quarter-sized amount and wash your face exactly like you would with a regular facial wash. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.

Lemon and Apple Cider Vinegar to Fade Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is characterized as darker areas on the skin caused by a multitude of factors, from the sun to acne scarring. Whatever the cause, hyperpigmentation can be the pits and you may be desperate to fade it away fast.

Slow down for a second, before you make the damage worse!

Lemon and apple cider vinegar are two very popular natural remedies for hyperpigmentation… that is, until you try it for yourself. No matter how “tough” your skin may be, you are going to feel stinging and burning when applying lemon or ACV to your skin, and that’s not a good thing! It is believed that lemon and ACV work due to their high Vitamin C content, which can fade hyperpigmentation and brighten the skin. While this is certainly true of Vitamin C, the harsh acidic effects of these two ingredients can overpower the benefits of the Vitamin C and leave your skin sun-sensitive and irritated, even making your hyperpigmentation worse!

For a natural alternative, be sure to slather on our Hydrate: Anytime Facial Moisturizer, which contains Vitamin C and other antioxidants to balance your moisture levels and fade hyperpigmentation naturally (and safely!) with regular use.

Baking Soda as a Natural Dermabrasion Treatment

Microdermabrasion is a more intense form of exfoliation, which involves blowing ground crystals over the skin to slough away dead skin cells and exfoliate at a deeper level. The results are amazing, but should always be performed by a trained professional.

Unfortunately, many people are touting baking soda as a “natural microdermabrasion treatment,” but the results can be disastrous.

While baking soda is a staple in chewy cookies and cakes, it’s not so great for the skin. Baking soda is too harsh for the delicate facial skin and can completely throw off your pH levels, leading to dryness, inflamed skin, and irritation.

If you’re looking for a more intense exfoliation – without the drama, give our Clear: Toner & Spot-Treatment a try! It can be used as an all-over toner, and because it doesn’t contain salicylic acid, it won’t dry out your skin. Instead, high performance, yet gentle, exfoliants mandelic acid and willow bark will help to strip away dead skin while maintaining your skin’s delicate moisture balance. It will fight breakouts and prevent new ones with none of the nasty side-effects of baking soda.

While we urge you to go natural, we encourage you to try our products, rather than putting your precious skin at risk by playing kitchen cosmetologist!