Everyday Products With Unexpected Skincare Benefits

Dr. Andrea Suarez shares some tips that sound crazy but work. How many would you use?

Not made for purpose

Items to consider:

• Laundry detergent: no, not directly on your skin, but it makes a big difference if you increase the frequency of washing your bedding, towels, and washcloths, to reduce dust mites, demodex mites, and bacterial contamination that can aggravate conditions like rosacea, folliculitis, or atopic dermatitis.
• Household bleach: a dilute (!) bleach bath (¼–½ cup of regular bleach per bathtub of lukewarm water, soak for 10–20 minutes) can help decolonize Staphylococcus aureus, reduce eczema flare-ups, and calm bacterial folliculitis on the body; always rinse and moisturize after.
• Plastic wrap (e.g. Saran): after bathing, apply petroleum jelly to dry areas like your heels, feet, knees, or elbows, then wrap with plastic wrap for 10–20 minutes to lock in moisture and smooth rough skin; can also be used on a wall to apply lotion to your back.
• Superglue (cyanoacrylate adhesive): use a small drop to seal painful skin fissures or hangnails—keeps the edges together for faster healing and prevents infection; never use it on your face or lips, though.
• Duct tape: applying duct tape to plantar warts and removing it every six days can mechanically exfoliate, trigger an immune response, and help clear warts more quickly.
• Binder clips: used as inexpensive compression tools on healed earlobes after keloid removal to prevent recurrence—wear about eight hours daily for several months. Perhaps while you’re sleeping, if you don’t enjoy a reputation for eccentric taste in earrings!
• Vicks VapoRub (or generic equivalent): applying it daily to fungal toenails may improve or clear mild onychomycosis over several months thanks to thymol and menthol’s antifungal properties.
• Waxed dental floss: gently place under an ingrown toenail edge to lift it and prevent it from digging into your skin.

^{Writer’s anecdote: everyone has always been alarmed when I’ve occasionally superglued myself back together, but now I feel vindicated by a dermatologist saying to do it!}

For more on all of this, enjoy:

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Take care!