4 Everyday Beauty Rituals That Might Actually Be Harming You

Not all beauty tactics are peril free. Here’s how to avoid the hidden dangers you put yourself up against when sprucing up, and how you can minimize the risk.

1. Using antibacterial soup

Antibacterial soap might make you feel like you’ve won a small victory against germs but it could also see you losing in the long run. Research at the University of California found using antibacterial soap too often exposes you to triclosan, which can interfere with your hormones and cause mental problems in fetuses. Yikes, you’d be safer with the germs even after a gym session.

2. Using eyeliner on your waterline

Getting your peepers to pop is a fine art, but it’s risky if done incorrectly. People who apply eyeliner on the inner eyelid run the risk of contaminating the eye and causing vision trouble because particles from pencil eyeliners actually collect in your eye, found research conducted at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Instead, stop a few millimeters before this point, since there’s no point looking good if you won’t be able to see it.

3. Dying your hair

Cosmetics firms will try anything to keep you young, but the cost might not be worth it. Research by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health found that permanent hair dye was the product most likely to cause adverse effects and allergies. If you get eczema or redness roughly two days after a salon trip, there’s a good chance it doesn’t agree with you, say the scientists. It’s healthier to go all-natural.

4. Trimming your nails daily

Your fingernails might tell the world about your grooming standards but you put yourself at risk if you do it too fastidiously. Trimming your finger and toenails daily can actually lead to serious nail conditions thanks to the stress you put across your entire nail, found research in Physical Biology. You’ve now got the perfect excuse to visit the nail bar once a week.

Find beauty tips and more in TRAIN for HER magazine.