It can be tempting to solve minor ailments with home remedies. After all, medications, serums, and ointments can be expensive, and there’s something comforting about old wives’ tales. Maybe it was your grandmother who taught you to put butter on a burn, or perhaps a close friend swears by lemon juice for brightening skin. While some of these remedies may seem promising, looking at what science has to say can save you time and money. Read on to see which home remedies may be doing you more harm than good.
Butter Makes Burns Worse, Not Better
Applying butter to a burn is an old remedy akin to placing a slab of steak over a black eye. In recent years, we’ve learned that just because something is good to eat, it doesn’t mean it’s safe to lather on your skin.
In reality, butter can makes burns a whole lot worse. Since butter is so greasy, it will slow down the release of heat and create a breeding ground for bacteria. You’re much better off sticking with cold water and aloe vera.
