Every couple of years homemade skincare surfaces and gains popularity as people look for natural and/or cost-effective ways to care for their skin. While DIY skincare recipes can be fun and appealing, there are significant drawbacks to relying solely on homemade solutions.
One of the main reasons people advocate for homemade skincare is history: women did it this way for centuries OR this woman was said to be the most beautiful and she did X, so this is the ultimate beauty treatment! The first problem is that any woman being noticed in the past was always going to be judged by the standards of the time she lived in, women were always judged for their looks (the same cannot be said of men) even if they were smart, but they were rarely mentioned in history unless they were breaking many of the rules, and those that did were few so we don't have a large pool of information. The second problem is that documentation about historical skincare needs to be a taken with a grain of salt:
documentation on anything relating to women was sparse and often only gave one or two ingredients with vague measurements and ingredients being ingestible is not a measure of its irritability factor to skin;
there was no skin analysis so things were of the one-size-fits-all variety (something we know doesn't always work);
our environment (the things our skin deals with as well as what grows our produce) did not look quite the same as it does today;
there was no science for skincare and sometimes advancements are more popular because they work better;
people also didn't live quite as long, so thinking that women remained wrinkle free might well be down to genetics and not seeing a lot of people age;
women tended to marry young, stay out of the sun if they were affluent, and did not grow as old;
the value of a woman depended on her ability to have and raise kids while looking beautiful, meaning that beauty advice for women tended to be along the lines of don't frown, don't smile, don't swim, don't exert yourself, etc., and skincare was additional to all of these rigid instructions.
All of this is just to say that there were a lot of factors that made what little record we have of women's habits in skincare appeal to our senses today. BUT people knew what they knew back then and they were limited in what they could do. We know more and have more options in our modern times, and while not everything has your wellbeing in mind, there are some pretty amazing options too, and the downside of homemade skincare products should not be ignored simply because they are natural.
This is a very general summation of course, but the gist is that just because our ancestors did it, doesn't always mean it is a good thing today. It also needs to be said that sometimes we are a bit misinformed about the past, record keeping having always been the privilege of only a few and being fickle about what makes it last or not, and more often than not, our knowledge of what was then is very exclusionary. This can be said for a lot of beliefs we hold today, and while we are dealing with skincare as our topic, it is always a good practice of an open mind to investigate why you believe what you believe and whether it might be wrong.
The Downside of Homemade Skincare
1. Lack of Scientific Validation:
Inconsistent Results: Homemade skincare recipes often lack scientific backing, leading to inconsistent and unpredictable results. Ingredients like lemon juice or baking soda, frequently touted in DIY recipes, can disrupt the skin’s natural pH balance and cause irritation or damage.
No Standardisation: Unlike professional products, homemade mixtures have no standardisation in ingredient concentrations, making it difficult to achieve desired outcomes consistently.
2. Potential for Skin Irritation and Allergies:
Unknown Allergens: Natural ingredients are not inherently safe for everyone. Common DIY ingredients like essential oils, honey, or aloe vera can cause allergic reactions or skin sensitivities in some individuals.
Risk of Contamination: Without proper preservation techniques, homemade skincare products can become breeding grounds for bacteria and mold, posing risks of infection and skin issues.
3. Limited Efficacy:
Insufficient Active Ingredients: Professional skincare products are formulated with high concentrations of active ingredients that penetrate the skin effectively. In contrast, homemade products often contain diluted or ineffective concentrations, resulting in minimal benefits.
Lack of Advanced Formulations: Homemade skincare cannot match the sophistication of professional formulations that use advanced technologies and delivery systems to enhance ingredient absorption and effectiveness.
4. Misleading Information:
Unverified Claims: The internet is rife with unverified skincare advice and recipes. Following such advice can lead to the misuse of ingredients, potentially harming the skin rather than improving it.
Influence of Myths: Many DIY skincare trends are based on myths and anecdotal evidence rather than scientific research, leading to practices that may not be beneficial or safe.
The Advantages of Professional Skincare
1. Scientifically Backed Formulations:
Research-Based Products: Professional skincare products are developed through extensive scientific research and clinical trials, ensuring they are both safe and effective.
Optimal Ingredient Combinations: These products contain carefully selected combinations of ingredients that work synergistically to address specific skin concerns.
2. Customisation and Precision:
Personalised Skincare Regimens: Professional skincare offers customised solutions based on individual skin types, conditions, and goals. Skincare professionals can assess your skin and recommend products tailored to your needs.
Consistent Results: With standardised formulations and precise ingredient concentrations, professional products provide consistent and reliable results.
3. Safety and Quality Assurance:
Regulated Manufacturing: Professional skincare products are manufactured under strict quality control standards, ensuring safety, stability, and efficacy.
Professional Guidance: Using professional skincare often involves guidance from dermatologists or licensed aestheticians who can provide expert advice and monitor your skin’s progress.
4. Advanced Technology:
Innovative Ingredients: Professional products often include cutting-edge ingredients like peptides, growth factors, and retinoids, which are not available in DIY skincare.
Enhanced Delivery Systems: These products use advanced delivery systems to ensure active ingredients penetrate deeply into the skin, maximising their benefits.
To Summarise
While the allure of homemade skincare is understandable, the risks and limitations far outweigh the benefits. Professional skincare, with its scientifically validated formulations, customised solutions, and rigorous safety standards, provides a far more reliable and effective approach to achieving healthy, radiant skin. Investing in professional skincare products and consulting with skincare experts ensures that your skin receives the best possible care, free from the uncertainties and potential hazards of DIY solutions.
For the best results and optimal skin health, trust in the expertise and advanced formulations of professional skincare. Your skin will thank you for it.
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