Homemade Aspirin Mask

Hey dolls, hope you are diligent about sloughing off the dead skin cells on your face regularly and getting it all smooth and glowy for the summer! You know I'm a big fan of exfoliation, I like to keep my pores clean and unclogged. Especially now it's hot, the oil glands are working overtime. We sweat more and we wear sunscreen all the time (some can really clog the pores). A friend of mine recently passed me a great homemade exfoliation recipe. Let me just say -- it works wonders!! I will actually say it is more effective than a lot of Beta Hydroxy products on the market. You must try this, especially if you want to get rid of some blemishes and those over-the-counter anti-acne creams haven't worked for you.

1. Get 6-10 plain uncoated aspirins. No need to get expensive ones. The cheap no name brand at Walmart works just as well. Dissolve them in hot water, just a few drops. Mash them with a spoon.

2. Add a half teaspoon of the following to give it better body and sticking together properties.
-- plain yogurt (source of lactic acid)
-- honey (moisturizing)
-- aloe vera gel (the kind from the health store that is almost 100% pure)

3. Apply on a clean face or chest and leave on 5 - 10 minutes and rinse well.

The active ingredient in aspirin is a form of BHA. It gently exfoliates. You can also spot treat a blemish by using just one aspirin and a little water. It takes the redness out and helps with healing. You'll be amazed, I promise you :D

NOTE: It must be aspirin. Tylenol, Motrin, etc will not work. And uncoated is best. Coated will work however it is more difficult to dissolve.

(A word of caution: it should definitely be noted that anyone who's allergic or sensitive to aspirin, is pregnant or breastfeeding or has a pre-existing medical condition, including asthma or a bleeding problem, probably should avoid using this or any other salicylic acid product.)

Also, there's another version, easier and lazier, of this mask. You can mix Cetaphill cleanser with the dissolved aspiron. It works just as well in terms of exfoliating and unclogging the pores, but you won't get the same moisturizing or antioxdants from the yogurt and honey.