These 5 Natural Ingredients Can Aggravate Your Skin

Are you aiming to make natural ingredients a bigger part of your diet and skincare regimen? While many plant-based ingredients can be great for your skin and overall health, there are a few that could actually aggravate your skin and should therefore be avoided. Use caution when eating or applying these natural ingredients to your skin to avoid a flare-up.

1. Capsaicin

Capsaicin is the component of chili peppers that gives them their spicy taste. This ingredient is also found in some lip plumping products that are designed to give your lips a temporary boost of volume. However, these products work by causing your lips to swell with the use of ingredients like capsaicin or cinnamon oil. Use caution when trying products with capsaicin for the first time, as they may cause your skin and lips to have an adverse reaction.

If you struggle with inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea, it is best to avoid these ingredients whenever possible, in both topical skincare and foods and drinks that you consume. Many people with rosacea find that eating spicy foods triggers a flare-up of symptoms.

2. Vitamins B6 and B12

Research has shown that vitamins B6 and B12 supplements cause more acne-causing bacteria to show up on the skin. Therefore, taking these supplements can increase your risk of developing acne. However, it does not appear that eating food that are rich in these vitamins as the same effect as taking supplements. So if you are concerned about getting more B vitamins in your diet, try eating foods like whole grains, beans, and eggs. Of course, talk with your doctor if you have specific concerns about B6 or B12 deficiencies.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

You may have read about the many benefits of both ingesting and using apple cider vinegar on your skin. However, vinegar has a very low pH – around a 3 on the pH scale – which will throw off your skin’s natural pH and microbiome. This is also why it is not recommended to use undiluted lemon juice on your skin, either. If you are eager to try using apple cider vinegar on your skin, you will need to dilute it with water in order to raise the pH and reduce adverse effects to your skin.

You can also simply add some apple cider vinegar to your favorite drink or smoothie to reap its health benefits without wrecking your skin.

4. Baking Soda

Baking soda sits on the opposite end of the pH scale from vinegar and lemon juice. It has a pH of around 9, which is far too high for your skin. Just like with very acidic ingredients, very alkaline ingredients like baking soda can negatively affect your skin’s microbiome, resulting in an array of adverse effects.

Additionally, baking soda can be much too harsh of an exfoliant, especially for sensitive skin types. Use a glycolic acid cleanser such as Essopi Glycolic 10% Moisturizing Cleanser instead, or choose a gentler scrub that is made specifically for the purpose of exfoliating skin without damaging its protective barrier.

5. Olive Oil

Although olive oil is a healthier choice than some other oils when cooking, it is not the best choice for your skin. Because it is rich in oleic acid, olive oil can disrupt your skin’s barrier by creating tiny holes in your skin. This allows dirt and bacteria to enter your skin, while also letting moisture escape. If you are looking to reap the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits of olive oil, it is best to ingest it in moderation.

As for your skin, argan oil is a much better choice to help keep your skin hydrated. I like PAORR 100% Pure Moroccan Argan Oil. You can read more about the benefits of argan oil for your skin in this blog.

Bottom Line

Just because a particular ingredient or supplement is natural does not necessarily mean that it is good for your skin. First and foremost, choose products that are a match for your Baumann Skin Type. If you prefer to use plant-based ingredients, check with your STS-approved physician to make sure the products you are using are not going to be detrimental to your skin.

For more skincare news, tips, and tricks from Dr. Leslie Baumann, be sure to follow Baumann Cosmetic on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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