A number of popular skincare hacks are being shared on social media, with people claiming that using certain items
It’s easy to get caught up in the latest skincare fads sweeping across social media, but these might not be as effective as they’re hyped up to be. From chilly teaspoons to banana peel exfoliants, social media is awash with DIY beauty tips claiming to transform your skincare regime.
Indeed, on TikTok alone, the hashtag #beautyhacks has racked up over 163 million views. Searches for ‘banana peel face masks’ have soared by 100% in the past three months, while ‘banana peel skincare’ queries have jumped by 33% in the same timeframe.
Yet, skin experts are cautioning that banana peels and various other skincare hacks aren’t quite the miracle workers they’re touted to be.
Dr Dave Reilly, Head Scientist at Absolute Collagen, emphasised that banana peels should not be used on the skin, stating: “Exfoliation is an essential step in a skincare routine; however, using a banana peel to do so is far from ideal.
“Not only is its effectiveness as an exfoliant limited, but rubbing banana peel against your face could actually irritate your skin. And while banana peels may contain some beneficial nutrients, your skin cannot successfully absorb these through direct application.”
Dr Reilly also advised that a superior alternative would be to use acid-based products like AHAs and BHAs for effective yet gentle exfoliation, reminding users that such products should only be used two to three times a week.
Dave then addressed the popular belief of using chilled teaspoons on your eyes to reduce puffiness and dark circles. He admitted it might work temporarily but warned that the extreme cold could be harsh on the delicate skin around your eyes, potentially causing irritation.
Similarly, he debunked the myth that toothpaste is a good spot treatment. Dr Reilly stated: “In reality, this hack could make your spots and skin much worse. Toothpaste contains ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, surfactants and alcohol, which can dry out the skin, leading to redness and peeling.
“For those who may be struggling with spots or have acne-prone skin, use targeted treatments that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, which effectively tackle spots without damaging the skin. You should also focus on hydrating the skin through a lightweight hydrator like hyaluronic acid.”
Dave also criticised the recent TikTok trend of using lemon juice as a natural skin brightener and dark spot reducer.
Despite its high vitamin C content, its high acidity can disrupt the skin’s pH balance, causing irritation, dryness, and weakening the skin barrier.
