Skincare can sometimes feel like a game of chance – one minute your skin’s glowing like a supernova, and the next minute it’s throwing a tantrum. And when the going gets tough, we often turn to DIY skincare to save the day. However, these home remedies can be a big hit or a massive miss.
So, before you dive headfirst into that DIY face mask or homemade toner, pause for a second and ask yourself if it is the best thing for your skin.
Lisa Macanda, a media personality from East London in the Eastern Cape, says that looking good lifts your spirits, which is why she prioritises her skincare routine.
“As a media personality, having great skin is crucial for gigs”
Lisa Macanda
Natural tips for glowing skin
“I use different ingredients for different purposes,” Macanda adds. “For skin repair, I use honey, sugar, and cinnamon.”
She notes that her skin sometimes appears uneven, especially after sun exposure, and a coffee and lemon mask works wonders, leaving her skin clear and smooth.
“I also use Vaseline with Haarlemensis before bed, though not every day – maybe twice a week. It helps keep my skin soft and free from dark spots,” Macanda shares.
For Nomasoja Mahem, a health enthusiast from Carletonville, Gauteng, a mixture of turmeric and honey is her go-to remedy for treating pimples.
“I simply make a paste, apply it to my face, leave it on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water,” she explains.
Affordable skincare for clear and radiant skin
Mahem adds that honey helps reduce redness, moisturises her skin, and also acts as an antibacterial. To remove dead skin, she uses bicarbonate of soda to exfoliate, followed by honey to moisturise.
“Glowing skin can be achieved affordably with simple kitchen ingredients. It’s all about finding what works for you.”
Mahem says everyone’s skin reacts differently to various products.
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The dangers of home remedies for skin
Nolubabalo Nojozi, a somatologist and the founder of Bella Nova Aesthetics in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, warns that certain condiments, such as lemon, are acidic and can be harsh on the skin.
“Lemon is a brightening agent on its own, and while it’s often included in formulations, it’s typically combined with other ingredients to ensure skin safety,” she explains.
“If you use it by itself, it may damage your skin and increase its sensitivity to the sun.”
Nolubabalo Nojozi
She says, for instance, that using sugar on your face can create micro-tears due to the granules, which ultimately harms your skin.
She also notes that while the damage from scrubbing with home remedies like salt or sugar may not be immediately visible, a microscope would reveal the harm.
Nojozi further points out that forcibly opening pores that shouldn’t be opened can damage the skin barrier, allowing moisture that should be retained to escape.
“If you choose to use these remedies, do so only once a month.”
She also highlights that home remedies for the body differ from those for facial skin and tend to be safer in terms of potential skin damage. However, she cautions that moderation is key.
Effective skincare solutions
According to Dr Mamello Ntsele, a specialist dermatologist from Hillcrest in KwaZulu-Natal, some concoctions can be caustic to the skin and burn or corrode its surface.
She says, “Generally, we don’t advocate for household items to be used as skincare products; there are, however, a few exceptions.”
“In most instances, there are safe and effective treatments that have been studied by qualified professionals in state hospitals or in private practice, so it’s always best to get professional advice before damaging one’s skin.”
Ntsele notes that, as skin challenges differ, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, maintaining good hygiene, following a healthy diet, and seeking medical help are key to a skin solution.
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