Beauty hacks are everywhere, promising quick fixes and money-saving solutions. But not all of them deliver as expected, and some can end up costing you more than they save. Whether it’s skin irritation or unexpected hair disasters, these so-called shortcuts can quickly turn into expensive repairs.
Coconut Oil as a Moisturizer
Coconut oil is often touted as an all-natural moisturizer, but it’s not always suitable for everyone. It can clog your pores, leading to breakouts, especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin. That’s why using coconut oil on your face might cause you to spend more on acne treatments later.
DIY Lemon Juice Face Mask
Lemon juice is often recommended for brightening the skin, but its high acidity can cause irritation and even burns. The risk of hyperpigmentation or damage from sun exposure afterward is high. Dermatologists advise against using lemon juice on your skin to avoid needing expensive treatments to correct the damage.
Using Toothpaste to Treat Acne
This hack has been around forever, but toothpaste contains ingredients that can irritate your skin. It may dry out the pimple temporarily but can also cause redness and peeling. For example, you could end up spending more on repairing your skin barrier than on a simple acne treatment.
Cutting Your Own Bangs
Cutting your own bangs might seem like a quick, money-saving hack, but it often ends in uneven or too-short bangs. When this happens, you’ll likely have to pay a professional to fix it. That’s why it’s better to leave this task to the experts from the start, saving yourself from extra expenses.
DIY Lash Extensions with Glue
Some people try to mimic professional lash extensions using over-the-counter glue. This can lead to eye irritation, allergic reactions, or even lash loss. In the end, you might spend more on treatments to fix the damage than you would have spent at the salon.
Using Baking Soda as a Facial Scrub
Baking soda is often recommended as a natural exfoliant, but it can disrupt your skin’s pH balance. This leads to dryness, irritation, and even breakouts. For example, your skin may become so dry that you need to invest in additional moisturizers or treatments to repair it.
Shaving Your Face for Exfoliation
Shaving your face is a trend many people swear by, but it can lead to irritation, cuts, and ingrown hairs. While it may provide temporary smoothness, the long-term costs of repairing your skin or treating ingrown hairs can add up. It’s better to use a gentle exfoliating product instead.
Applying Hair Masks Overnight
Leaving hair masks on overnight may seem like a good way to maximize the benefits, but it can cause build-up and weigh your hair down. You might have to wash your hair more frequently or even visit a salon to correct the damage. That’s why it’s important to follow the recommended time on the product label.
Using Lipstick as Blush
Using lipstick as a blush might seem like a convenient hack, but it can clog your pores and cause breakouts on your cheeks. In the long run, you might spend more on acne treatments or specialized makeup removers. Instead, use a product that’s made for both lips and cheeks, or stick to a traditional blush.
DIY Teeth Whitening with Baking Soda
Baking soda is often suggested for teeth whitening, but overuse can erode enamel and lead to sensitivity. Once your enamel is damaged, you’ll need costly dental treatments to repair it. That’s why it’s best to use a professionally recommended whitening product instead of taking risks with your oral health.
Using Hairspray to Set Makeup
Some people use hairspray to set their makeup, but this hack can lead to clogged pores, dryness, and breakouts. The ingredients in hairspray are too harsh for facial skin and may cause long-term damage. You might end up spending more on skincare to repair the harm caused by this shortcut.
DIY Gel Manicure Removal with Dental Floss
Using dental floss to remove a gel manicure might save a few bucks in the short term, but it can severely damage your nail bed. You could end up with weak, brittle nails that require expensive treatments or specialty products to fix. It’s better to visit a salon or use proper removal techniques at home.
Plucking Your Own Eyebrows Without a Guide
Eyebrow shaping may seem easy, but over-plucking without a clear guide can lead to uneven or too-thin brows. Once the damage is done, you might need expensive brow products or even microblading to fill them in. That’s why it’s important to follow a guide or leave it to a professional if you’re unsure.
Using Hot Water to Wash Your Face
Hot water might feel soothing, but it strips your skin of natural oils and can cause dryness and irritation. For example, constantly using hot water can make your skin so dry that you need to invest in richer moisturizers. It’s better to use lukewarm water for cleansing to avoid unnecessary skin damage.
DIY Hair Lightening with Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is sometimes used as a DIY hair lightening solution, but it can leave your hair dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. In the end, you’ll likely have to spend more on deep conditioning treatments or even a professional color correction. A safer option is to use a hair lightening product designed for home use.
Over-Exfoliating Your Skin
Exfoliating can make your skin glow, but overdoing it can strip away natural oils, causing dryness, irritation, and breakouts. This often leads to spending more on products to repair the skin barrier. Stick to exfoliating just once or twice a week to avoid damage.
Using Rubbing Alcohol as a Toner
Some people use rubbing alcohol as a quick fix to dry out pimples, but it strips the skin of essential moisture. You may find yourself with red, irritated skin that requires more expensive treatments to restore. That’s why it’s better to use a gentle, alcohol-free toner designed for your skin type.
DIY Face Masks with Raw Egg
Raw egg face masks are promoted as a way to tighten skin, but they can lead to bacterial infections if not handled properly. The cost of treating an infection can far exceed the price of a safe, store-bought mask. That’s why it’s best to avoid this hack and opt for tried-and-true skincare products.
This article originally appeared on UnifyCosmos.
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