Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Old School Remedies!

Ever since I was a little girl, I've had more than just a mild obsession with all things make up and beauty product related. There was this fabulous book about "Concoctions" at the public library that I checked out about a million times (and probably ended up keeping) that had a section about beauty treatments you could make yourself. If I remember correctly, I tried to bottle & sell some of it to the neighborhood ladies at some point. Needless to say, it didn't sell like Girl Scout Cookies but it did get me hooked on natural remedies to ever present skin issues and teach me to question ingredients not just in my food but also in my skin care! It also made me the "Go To Girl" for all my friends when they had a monster zit on prom night or pores as large and prolific as an oil producing country...

All that being said, I would like to present a new segment on natural solutions and kitchen concoctions that have worked for centuries! First Installment: Aspirin Facials!



Aspirin: It Ain't Just For Headaches Anymore!

I've used a variety of aspirin facial recipes since my early adolescent years to combat breakouts. It works because Aspirin is a form of salicylic acid so it’s fantastic exfoliant and acne treatment. Dermatologists prescribe it every day and you’ll find it in tons of anti-acne products.

There are several different facial aspirin recipes and depending the condition of your skin you should adapt the recipe and blend to suit your skin and needs. Experiment until you find the right balance!

Oily Skin: In the summer when my skin gets oily I crush up 10 aspirin tablets and mix in whatever fruit acid I have (lemon, lime, or orange juice) in the refrigerator. A dairy product (lactic acid) such as yogurt, cream, or milk can be substituted for the fruit acid or used in combination with the basic aspirin facial recipe for the oilier skin types. I even keep an aspirin solution in a small spray bottle in the shower to mist my back and legs to prevent acne from developing, especially during the summer.

Dry/Sensitive Skin: In the winter months when my skin’s a little more on the dry side, I blend in a dab of honey, aloe vera pulp or olive oil to give my skin a moisturizing treatment at the same time.

Emergency: If I feel a zit deep under the surface, a crushed asprin mixed with a little green tea makes a great little scrub and mask. I’ll sleep in it if things seem really dire. Also great for the post waxing ingrown on the bikini line!

Basic Facial Aspirin Recipe

5 to 10 of plain aspirin- (the cheap generic kind is just fine) finely crushed for a mask and a little chunkier for the scrub.

Mix in your favorite fruit acid, freshly squeezing the juice from a lemon, lime, or orange or use green tea. Add more to create a thin mask or use very little for a thick paste.

Apply a thin layer with your hands or use a spa brush (looks like a paint brush) to your face, chest and/or back and allow to dry for 15 minutes.

Rinse with warm water and moisturize with something light but enriching.

Bottom line, Aspirin rocks. It’s an all around versatile natural skin care ingredient that has the added benefit of being an excellent anti-aging skin care treatment. Not to mention it’s cheap and probably already on your medicine cabinet!


Muah!
Moi


Now You Can Follow Shannon and Something You... Make Up Artistry!
Website: http://something-you.com/
Facebook:
Something You...Make Up Artistry
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SomethingYou




1 comment: