Hacks: Skincare
From frozen cucumbers to SPF contouring, we asks the experts about the buzziest skincare tips and whether they work?
With so many conversations about skincare happening, it’s often hard to know what’s actually going to work – and what could potentially harm your skin.
Online hosts a wealth of handy hacks for getting the clearest, glowiest skin possible – without spending lots of money on fancy products.
The question is: are they safe to do, and will they give the desired results? We asked the experts to break down some skincare hacks…
HACK 1>> USING A FROZEN CUCUMBER ON YOUR FACE
If you don’t fancy using leftover cucumber in your salad, beauty buffs recommend popping it in the freezer, then rolling it on your face – particularly soothing if you have puffy or tired skin.
“Applying a frozen cucumber onto your skin comes from the idea of cryotherapy, which uses extreme cold,” explains Dr Preema Vig, medical director of Dr Preema London Clinic (drpreema.com). “The cold surface of the cucumber can work by temporarily restricting the size of blood vessels, which can reduce pore size, puffiness and redness, giving a rejuvenated appearance.”
Vig’s top piece of advice with this hack is to not leave the frozen cucumber on one section of your face for too long, “as this could cause ice burns”. She calls it a “great at-home emergency treatment, but should not replace any of your in-clinic treatments”.
HACK 2>> STEEPING WHITE RICE IN WATER, THEN USING IT AS A TONER
Don’t want to spend money on expensive toners? Social media suggests you can save some pennies by making your own from a store cupboard staple: white rice. All you have to do is steep rice in water, then pat or spray the resulting product on your face.
Not only is it a cheap, at-home alternative for toner, but experts suggest it actually works. “Using rice water on the skin can be a natural remedy to treat some skin conditions,” says Dr Munir Somji, chief medical officer of Dr MediSpa (drmedispa.com).
“Rice water contains amino acids, antioxidants and minerals, which can inhibit the activity of elastase, an enzyme that damages the skin’s elastin.
It can brighten the skin and reduce pigmentation, and also soothe any irritation and mild sunburn.”
While safe to use, Somji says: “Be careful not to apply rice water onto any open wounds, as this can incur infection.”
HACK 3>> USING GLYCOLIC ACID AS DEODORANT
Glycolic acid is a staple in many of our bathroom cabinets, but is it any good as a deodorant? Cosmetic and dermatology nurse practitioner Anna Baker (annabakeraesthetics.uk) says: “The idea is that glycolic acid lowers the PH levels of the skin and exfoliates, which reduces bacteria in the skin and can reduce odour.
However, glycolic acid will not reduce sweating, and when a person sweats the water from the sweat actually neutralises the acid.”
It’s probably best to avoid, particularly as Baker adds: “The armpits are very sensitive and glycolic acid can irritate the skin, which can cause redness and soreness.”
HACK 4>> USING BANANA PEEL TO GET RID OF DARK UNDER-EYE CIRCLES
This is another cost-efficient hack straight out of the kitchen: applying banana peel underneath your eyes, in a bid to get rid of any bags or dark circles.
This technique could actually work. “Banana peel contains a high level of vitamins, antioxidants and minerals, which can help lighten the skin and reduce any dark spots,” says Somji.
“Potassium and vitamins E and C can also promote brighter, glowing skin.”
HACK 5>> USING PETROLEUM JELLY TO GET RID OF BLACKHEADS
It feels like a technique your grandparents might have used: coating your nose in petroleum jelly, then steaming it off – and hopefully extracting any blackheads in the process.
While petroleum jelly can have many other benefits, facial aesthetics specialist Dr Pamela Benito (drpamelabenito.com) isn’t particularly keen on using it in this way.
“I would advise against applying it to the face, as the product forms a barrier on the skin, which means it won’t let anything into the pores – but it also won’t let anything out,” she says. “So your natural skin oils, sweat and bacteria will then clog your pores and potentially cause acne. This ‘treatment’ can temporarily remove blackheads, it can also remove the sebaceous filaments that protect the skin from bacteria.”