Do's and don'ts for DIY skin care

By Ann Hoevel, CNN

Updated 1552 GMT (2352 HKT) April 25, 2013

Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

Think twice before you follow just any DIY skin care method. Dermatologist Dr. Doris Day explained how some ingredients can help -- or hurt. For starters: Honey is an ancient treatment for wounds because it has antiseptic properties and creates a breathable, skin-like barrier. It is often used in recipes for acne treatment, reducing eye puffiness, exfoliating scrubs and eczema.
Photos: DIY beauty from your pantry
DIY beauty from your pantry – Think twice before you follow just any DIY skin care method. Dermatologist Dr. Doris Day explained how some ingredients can help -- or hurt. For starters: Honey is an ancient treatment for wounds because it has antiseptic properties and creates a breathable, skin-like barrier. It is often used in recipes for acne treatment, reducing eye puffiness, exfoliating scrubs and eczema.
Hide Caption
1 of 13
Vinegar is an effective deodorizer which kills yeast and bacteria that lead to body odor. But it has a pungent smell of its own. It's best used in solutions that include essential oils to mask the salad smell.
Photos: DIY beauty from your pantry
DIY beauty from your pantry – Vinegar is an effective deodorizer which kills yeast and bacteria that lead to body odor. But it has a pungent smell of its own. It's best used in solutions that include essential oils to mask the salad smell.
Hide Caption
2 of 13
Aloe has anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties, so it's great for the pain associated with burns and poison ivy.
Photos: DIY beauty from your pantry
DIY beauty from your pantry – Aloe has anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties, so it's great for the pain associated with burns and poison ivy.
Hide Caption
3 of 13
Olive oil and coconut oil are effective hydrators. They're good for treating irritated skin because they are so gentle on their own, they are often used as a binder for sugar or salt scrubs.
Photos: DIY beauty from your pantry
DIY beauty from your pantry – Olive oil and coconut oil are effective hydrators. They're good for treating irritated skin because they are so gentle on their own, they are often used as a binder for sugar or salt scrubs.
Hide Caption
4 of 13
Salt and sugar are effective exfoliants and often the base of home scrub recipes. Baking soda works as a fine-grained exfoliant, and might have antiseptic and brightening qualities.
Photos: DIY beauty from your pantry
DIY beauty from your pantry – Salt and sugar are effective exfoliants and often the base of home scrub recipes. Baking soda works as a fine-grained exfoliant, and might have antiseptic and brightening qualities.
Hide Caption
5 of 13
Tea can deliver antioxidants and caffeine to the skin better than, say, crushed blueberries. White tea has the highest levels of both.
Photos: DIY beauty from your pantry
DIY beauty from your pantry – Tea can deliver antioxidants and caffeine to the skin better than, say, crushed blueberries. White tea has the highest levels of both.
Hide Caption
6 of 13
Recipes including papaya and kiwi fruit will exfoliate skin without over-drying it. While papaya is a little safer on the skin, both make skin cells less sticky.
Photos: DIY beauty from your pantry
DIY beauty from your pantry – Recipes including papaya and kiwi fruit will exfoliate skin without over-drying it. While papaya is a little safer on the skin, both make skin cells less sticky.
Hide Caption
7 of 13