Do natural home remedies have any side-effects?

Using the wrong ingredients even if they are natural can lead to skin allergy and irritation.

Home remedies are often touted as safe-to-use, free of side-effects, herbal in nature and full of beauty benefits for the skin. Even so, people at times have complained of skin allergies, pimples, boils, etc. on their skin after using a so-called safe and natural home remedy. So do these products have side-effects? Should you stop making DIY face packs at home? We get you answers from top skin specialists.

The truth is DIY natural beauty face packs do have side-effects. This usually happens when you use the wrong products on your skin. Also, certain ingredients may cause irritation or redness due to their natural properties. It is therefore important to make sure you do not use these while making face packs.

According to Dr Kiran Lohia, US-trained skin specialist, Certain ingredients like lemon, cinnamon and spices can cause severe irritation in certain people. Also, even gentler foods can cause rashes if your skin is allergic to it. No matter how natural an ingredient is, there is still a risk of irritation or allergy. Certain oils such as coconut oil can cause pimples on the face so avoid these. Here are harmful chemicals in beauty products that can ruin skin.

Things to keep in mind

Dr Jaishree Sharad, a cosmetic dermatologist recommends the following tips before using natural ingredients:

Firstly, know your skin type and use ingredients accordingly.

If your skin is dry or flaky, or if you are on acne medication, do not use fruit extracts, potato or tomato juice or lime juice on the skin. These will dehydrate the skin and make it more sensitive. It could even lead to irritation. You could try these home remedies for dry skin.

If you have oily skin, avoid malai, milk and oils on the face. These will clog pores and give rise to more whiteheads.

If any of your ingredients are old, or the containers are not clean or your spoons/hands are dirty, you may develop boils/ infection.

Adds Dr Kiran:

Do a patch test before you use any ingredient. First apply a small amount on the inside of your arm then wash it off. Wait for 48 hours to see if you get a rash or not and proceed accordingly.

Don t use mixtures until you have tried all the ingredients separately first.

Look for milder actives like yoghurt or pumpkin seed oil to avoid allergy or irritation.

Avoid acidic products such as vinegar especially if you have very sensitive skin. Here are safe home remedies for sensitive skin.

And finally, don t apply home-made masks more than once a week.

What to do if you have an allergic reaction

The first thing you should do is apply ice on your skin to subside it. You can also take an anti-allergic tablet like Avil and visit a dermatologist, advises Dr Sharad. Dr Lohia recommends using a gentle cleanser and an allergen-free moisturiser. If the rash does not go away in a few days, see a skin specialist.

Ingredients that are safe to use

• Yoghurt
• Honey
• Oats
• Turmeric
• Milk (unless you have a history of allergy to it)
• Oils such as grape seed or almond

So if you are someone who does not like to use cosmetic products, you can use natural ingredients but do follow these pointers to avoid any allergic reaction. Also, do buy ingredients that are pure and not dirty or contaminated with impurities. Also read - are branded herbal products really pure?

Image source: Getty Images

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