DIY Skincare: What's Worth Trying and What Should Stay in the Kitchen?

Somewhere along the way, we decided that if something was good enough to eat, it must be good enough to put on our faces.

Honey masks, lemon juice, baking soda scrubs, avocado facials. You name it, someone on the internet has probably turned it into a skincare recipe.

And I get the appeal. There's something fun about making your own little beauty concoction at home.

But as an esthetician, I have a few thoughts about what belongs on your face and what should probably stay in the kitchen.

Is DIY Skincare Actually Good for Your Skin?

It depends on what you're using, what you're hoping to accomplish, and your skin's current condition.

Some ingredients commonly found in homemade skincare have legitimate cosmetic properties. Honey, for example, is a humectant, meaning it attracts water. Oats contain compounds that can help soothe and support the skin barrier.

But there's a difference between using an ingredient in its raw form and using that ingredient in a professionally formulated skincare product.

Formulated products take into consideration things like pH, ingredient concentrations, preservation, stability, and how ingredients interact with the skin.

That matters more than you might think.

Natural Doesn't Automatically Mean Gentle

One of the biggest misconceptions about skincare is that natural ingredients are always safer.

Poison ivy is natural. So are plenty of substances that can irritate your skin.

Your skin doesn't care whether something came from a garden or a laboratory. It responds to the chemistry of whatever you're putting on it.

Here are a few popular DIY skincare ingredients worth reconsidering.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is frequently recommended online for brightening dark spots.

The problem? It's highly acidic, can irritate the skin, and may cause a reaction when exposed to sunlight. Certain citrus compounds can trigger phytophotodermatitis, leaving skin inflamed and sometimes more pigmented than before.

If hyperpigmentation is your concern, a properly formulated brightening product is a much better choice.

Baking Soda

Baking soda scrubs are another internet favorite.

Unfortunately, baking soda is alkaline, while healthy skin naturally has a mildly acidic surface.

Using baking soda on your face can interfere with the skin barrier and contribute to dryness or irritation.

Sugar and Salt Scrubs

I love a good body exfoliation. Facial skin, however, deserves a different approach.

Coarse sugar and salt particles can be too abrasive for delicate facial areas, particularly if your skin is sensitive, inflamed, or already compromised.

Exfoliation should be appropriate for your skin, not simply something that feels like it's scrubbing everything away.

Are There Any DIY Skincare Ingredients Worth Using?

There are a few simple options that can be enjoyable when used appropriately.

Colloidal oatmeal: Finely processed colloidal oatmeal is used in skincare for its soothing and skin-protective properties. It's different from simply rubbing breakfast oats on your face.

Honey: Honey has humectant properties, although ordinary grocery-store honey isn't the same as a cosmetic product formulated with honey extracts.

Cool compresses: Sometimes the simplest option is the best one. A clean, cool compress can temporarily soothe skin that feels warm or uncomfortable.

Even with gentle ingredients, allergies and irritation are possible. And homemade water-based mixtures can become contaminated without proper preservation.

My preference? Keep homemade skincare simple, make only what you'll use immediately, and avoid experimenting on irritated or broken skin.

What About Professional Facial Treatments?

This is where the conversation gets interesting.

At-home skincare and professional treatments serve different purposes.

Your home routine supports your skin every day. Professional treatments allow us to assess your skin, select appropriate products, and incorporate techniques and technologies that aren't practical or advisable to replicate in your bathroom.

For example, my Signature Facial is customized to your skin rather than following the same routine for every client.

And treatments like Glo2 offer a different approach to exfoliation and skin conditioning than a homemade scrub.

Neither replaces the importance of a consistent home routine.

They work together.

Your Skin Doesn't Need a Complicated Routine

If you've been following skincare trends for a while, you've probably noticed that the advice changes constantly.

One week everyone is exfoliating. The next week nobody is supposed to exfoliate. Then suddenly we're all putting something new on our faces.

Here's what doesn't change: healthy skin benefits from appropriate cleansing, moisturizing, daily sun protection, and ingredients selected for its needs.

Everything else depends on the person.

You don't need fifteen products. You don't need to try every trend. And you definitely don't need to raid your refrigerator to have beautiful skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is homemade skincare safer than store-bought skincare?

Not necessarily. Homemade products may lack appropriate preservation, pH control, and testing. Natural ingredients can also cause allergic reactions or irritation.

Can I use honey as a face mask?

Some people tolerate honey well, but it can still cause reactions. Avoid it if you're allergic, and don't assume it will treat acne, pigmentation, or other skin concerns.

Is DIY exfoliation good for your face?

Coarse homemade scrubs can be irritating. A properly formulated exfoliant selected for your skin type is generally a more predictable option.

Where can I get a customized facial in Lancaster, PA?

My esthetics practice serves Lancaster and surrounding communities, offering personalized facial treatments that consider your skin's condition, goals, and comfort.

The Bottom Line

Skincare should be enjoyable, but it should also make sense for your skin.

Experimenting with a homemade mask might sound like a fun Sunday afternoon. Just remember that more ingredients, stronger exfoliation, and the latest viral recipe don't necessarily mean better results.

If you're unsure what your skin actually needs, that's exactly where a professional consultation can help.

Sometimes the best skincare decision is knowing what not to put on your face.