What are the issues with natural beauty techniques?

The biggest pitfalls and common questions among us ordinary people when talking about natural beauty products are essentially the three core directions of "does it work?" "will it hurt my face?" and "can I use it?" Many people think that purely natural skin care products are gentler and safer than industrial skin care products, but this is really not the case.

A while ago, my best friend was reading Xiaohongshu and saw someone recommending fresh lemon slices to be applied on the face to whiten the face. After applying it for three days, my cheeks became red and stinging, so I went to the dermatologist. The doctor said that the citric acid in fresh lemons was not diluted, and the pH value was too low, which directly destroyed the skin barrier. This is the most typical safety controversy. Many natural raw materials have not been purified, and their own allergens and irritating ingredients have not been removed. For example, fresh aloe vera picked on the roadside can be applied directly to the face. Some people find the moisturizing effect good after using it for several years. People with sensitive skin will immediately swell into pig heads at the slightest touch. Some skin care bloggers believe that as long as they are comfortable to use, there will be no problem. Dermatologists generally do not recommend using unprocessed natural raw materials directly on the face. After all, the difference in individual skin tolerance is greater than the difference in aesthetics between people.

After talking about safety, the most likely point of disagreement is the issue of effectiveness. Two years ago, I also followed the trend and tried to whiten my face by using rice water continuously. After washing for half a month, my face was not white. Instead, the residual starch blocked the pores and caused several clefts on my jawline. Later, when I checked the relevant popular science, I found out that the trace amounts of vitamins B and E in the rice water are, firstly, too low in concentration to reach the threshold for effectiveness. Secondly, the molecules are too large and cannot be absorbed by the skin. At most, the skin feels a little moister just after washing, but it has no effect after stopping. However, I also have a friend who insists on washing her face with rice water for more than half a year, and she said that her skin tone has indeed become much brighter. After careful questioning, I found out that she just changed to a high-factor sunscreen during that time, and she also deliberately stayed up less late at night. It’s hard to say who gets the credit for the whitening.

There are still many people who struggle with "Why does it work for others but not for others?" This is actually a matter of adaptability. Take the most common method of applying cucumber slices to the face to moisturize the face. If you have healthy, oily skin and apply it for ten minutes after being exposed to the sun in summer, you will indeed feel refreshed and comfortable. However, if you have dry skin and apply it this way in winter, if you don’t apply facial cream in time after application, it will take away the moisture of the skin, making it drier the more you apply it. My face turned red due to allergies during the change of seasons. I tried soaking chamomile tea and letting it cool for five minutes. The soothing effect was better than the soothing mask I bought for dozens of yuan. I recommended it to a colleague who also has sensitive skin. After applying it, she felt more itchy. Later I found out that she is allergic to the Asteraceae plant itself.

In fact, everyone is discussing these issues now. Essentially, they still want to find a "safe and cost-effective" way to skin care. There is really no need to kill all natural beauty techniques in one go, and don't blindly follow other people's experiences. Test your sensitivity behind the ears in advance, stop using it if you feel uncomfortable, and observe the reaction of your own skin. It is more reliable than any other strategy.