11 Skincare Mistakes That Age You Faster (NEVER Put These on Your Face)
Dr. Eric Berg DCPublished on November 15, 2025
Summary authored by editor@wellifi.com
TLDR Summary
Dr. Eric Berg DC explains the 11 harmful products you should avoid applying to your face, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the skin's natural pH and microbiome for optimal health. Understanding these dangers can prevent irritation and long-term skin issues.
Key Points
- Your skin's acid mantle is crucial for protection and requires a slightly acidic pH.
- Avoid using undiluted apple cider vinegar on your face.
- Citrus juices like lemon and lime can cause skin inflammation when exposed to sunlight.
- Essential oils can be too concentrated for facial use and may irritate the skin.
- Baking soda has a high pH that disrupts the skin's natural balance.
- Toothpaste contains harsh chemicals unsuitable for facial application.
- Rubbing alcohol can kill beneficial microbes and lead to skin issues.
- Hydrogen peroxide can bleach and harm the skin.
- Hair dye can be toxic and cause eye damage.
- Topical steroids can thin the skin and disrupt collagen production.
- Frequent exfoliation can harm the skin's protective barrier.
- Chemical-laden makeup can be damaging to skin health.
11 Things You Should Never Put on Your Face
In today's post, we will discuss the essential guidelines for maintaining healthy skin and highlight the products you should avoid applying to your face. Drawing on 30 years of practice, Dr. Eric Berg DC shares critical insights into skincare, emphasizing that the skin is the largest organ of the body and requires proper care to maintain its health.
The Importance of Skin pH
Your skin has a protective barrier known as the acid mantle, which maintains a slightly acidic pH between 4.5 and 5.5. This acidity is crucial for protecting against harmful microbes and environmental factors. Disrupting this balance can lead to various skin issues, including redness, rashes, acne, and dryness.
11 Harmful Products for Your Skin
Here are 11 products you should avoid applying to your face:
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
While apple cider vinegar is acidic, it is too strong when used undiluted. A pH of 2-3 can irritate the skin, leading to redness. If you choose to use it, dilute one teaspoon in eight ounces of water.
2. Lemon or Lime Juice
These citrus juices can cause phyto photodermatitis when exposed to sunlight, leading to skin inflammation.
3. Essential Oils
Certain essential oils like cedarwood and tea tree oil can be too concentrated for facial use and may cause irritation. Always perform a patch test before applying.
4. Baking Soda
With a pH of 9, baking soda is overly alkaline for the skin, disrupting the natural microbial environment and causing imbalances.
5. Toothpaste
Toothpaste contains harsh chemicals that can irritate facial skin and should not be used for blemishes.
6. Rubbing Alcohol
While effective as an antimicrobial, rubbing alcohol can kill beneficial skin bacteria, leading to issues like rosacea and other skin problems.
7. Hydrogen Peroxide
This oxidizing agent can bleach skin and harm the microbial balance, thus should not be applied to the face.
8. Hair Dye
Using hair dye on eyebrows or eyelashes can be dangerous, with potential for eye damage if the dye seeps into the eyes.
9. Topical Steroids
Though they can reduce inflammation, repeated use of topical steroids on the face can thin the skin and disrupt collagen production.
10. Daily Exfoliating Scrubs
Frequent use of scrubs can strip away your skin's protective microbiome, leading to irritation and increased acne.
11. Overdoing Makeup
Excessive use of makeup, especially those with harmful chemicals and fragrances, can be detrimental to your skin's health.
Conclusion
Maintaining healthy skin involves avoiding harmful substances that disrupt your skin's natural balance. Instead, focus on gentle, chemical-free products to support your skin's health. Always consult with a skincare professional for personalized recommendations.
For more information on beneficial products for your skin, check out Dr. Berg's other resources.