Skincare and those little DIY secrets we all think work, when in fact they don’t. Here’s why you should resist those old wives tales and so-called ‘secret recipes’ altogether!

Skincare no-no #1: Put toothpaste on a pimple

Nope, nope, nope. Sure, certain toothpaste formulations might contain ingredients that dry your pimple out and maybe even bring down inflammation in the short term. But, they’ll certainly create irritation in the long term. And that’s if you’re lucky. Others, particularly if they contain menthol, will cause inflammation from the get-go and serve to make thing worse. Some may even lead to scarring. in other words a DIY skincare disaster.

If you’re struggling with acne, drop the Aquafresh and rather make an appointment with Skin Renewal. Our highly skilled doctors and therapist can help you create a proper acne-fighting skin care regime. They may also suggest a series of in-clinic acne solutions. The course of action will depend on the severity of your condition but we have several you can choose from that range from a basic peel to the Ultimate Acne Solution that includes two peels, carboxytherapy, laser treatment, transdermal mesotherapy and more!

Skincare no-no #2: Switch to a heavier moisturiser in winter

Yes, the dryness of cold winter air does tend to suck the moisture from your skin, so you may want to use a more hydrating product on your face. Still, thick, heavier formulas – or worse yet, things like body butter and Vaseline – aren’t the way to do it. Layering up with potentially occlusive products (meaning they’ll trap moisture but also congest your pores) is the fast track to acne, so don’t get ‘heavy’, get ‘clever’.

For example, today’s hardest-working mega-moisturisers aren’t greasy or thick as they really on ‘smart’ hydrators like hyaluronic acid (HA). A substance that occurs naturally in your skin, HA has the ability to bind to 1000 times its own weight in water. So, rather than slather on the salve, simply apply a feather-light HA serum before your regular moisturiser. We like Lamelle Correctives Hydrating HA Plus Serum.

Alternatively, you could indulge in a series of our Basic Skin Rejuvenating treatment solutions that includes a glycolic peel to get rid of dry, dead skin cells and reveal a fresher-looking complexion before the application of hydrating serum.

Skincare no-no #3: Lighten up dark spots with lemon juice

Every time this ultra-damaging beauty advice gets published somewhere on the internet there’s a dermatologist silently screaming into a pillow. While lemons do contain vitamin C, something that does have the ability to lighten pigmentation, they’re also highly acidic. This can disrupt your skin’s natural barrier and lead to a myriad of problems. Worse yet, lemons also contain phototoxic compounds that, if they’re on your skin and you expose it to light, can actually give you pigmentation. How’s that for ironic?

Pigmentation & Sun damage solutions include specially curated treatment packages range from a basic skin prep and peel to more complex multi-treatment options that involve laser and light. The one best suited to you will depend on the severity of your condition, but you can rest assured that not a single one of them makes use of lemons.

Please, DIY skincare is a no-no if you don’t know what you are doing!