Ivy says:
The aspirin mask is pretty well known around the internet, but I still find people who haven’t heard of it, so I thought I would share it here. Aspirin is high in BHA, or beta hydroxy acid- a form of salicylic acid that is in nearly every anti-acne medicine you can buy over the counter. Unlike anti-acne medicine, aspirin is very inexpensive, so by using the aspirin mask, you not only get rid of your acne quickly, but you also save quite a bit of money.
The other nifty thing about the aspirin mask is, it’s quite customizable, so you can add other ingredients depending on your skin type. Pretty much the only people who cannot use aspirin masks are people who are allergic or sensitive to aspirin. You can use an aspirin mask even if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Now, I have combination skin- oily in the T-Zone and normal for the rest of my face. What I do is take 4 or 5 uncoated aspirins, hold them in my hand, and drip water on them until they melt. Then I cover my face with the aspirin and let it dry. I wash it off with my usual cleanser. It makes my pores tighter, and if I’m having a breakout, the breakout goes away with a quickness.
If you have drier or more sensitive skin, you will want to use the aspirin with something that will tone down the aspiriny goodness. Some good things to mix with the aspirin are aloe vera, honey, yogurt, green tea, even heavy whipping cream. When my skin is less oily, I especially like to mix the aspirin with heavy whipping cream, as the cream is high in AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) and it makes a perfect combo of AHA and BHA to make my skin like buttah.
Charolastra says
this does work and its cheap too, it quickly controls oil and prevents breakouts, and it leaves a tight smooth skin…
but it smells funny though, and makes you sneeze a lot… sometimes it makes the skin too dry, but a little moisturizer can help…
although this works for a lot of people, it may irritate sensitive skin… better seek an experts help if you notice some irritation…
sarah says
hi….ur article is nice..i just want to add that aspirin or acetyle salicylic acid is an astringet which constricts the pores of skin and since its an organic acid it also helps controlling the oil
Paula says
OMGosh! I LOVE your site! I added a feed as soon as I saw you had one (without reading anything past “what you wish your momma taught you.” THANK YOU FOR THIS SITE!
I do have a question about this. What about the thought of grinding up the aspirin with a mortar and pestle and then taking out like a 1/2 TBSP and using itW grinding before using affect the potency?? What kind of whipping cream do you use (fat, half fat, non fat, etc.)? LOL!! This is SO GREAT!!!
Sonia says
Dang..I’ve never heard of this! I’ll have to try it. My question is: Does the aspirin get into your blood stream by sitting there on your face? Hmmm.
Badbadivy says
Lynnster: I use the aspirin mask about once a week, sometimes 2-3 times a week if I am having a breakout.
You use the heavy cream the same way as the water- just enough to melt the apsirin!
Lynnster says
Thanks Heather! Sorry for the now dupes!
Thanks Ivy! Definitely trying this soon!
Linda says
I had never heard of this!! Thanks for the info…
Heather says
Never fear Lynnster, you’ve been rescued from the clutches of the spam filter.
Lynnster says
Well that one took, let me try again…
I read this last night and am totally intrigued, I’d never heard of this until now!
Two questions –
How often do you usually use the mask? Once a week? More?
And, if you’re going to use it with the heavy cream or some other liquid – how much do you add, a few drops like with the water? Or more?
I’m definitely trying this soon!
For those reading, I can vouch for the fact Ivy has GREAT skin so it must work! She’s one of those gals who really needs no makeup to look good and I’m jealous. 😉
(PS Where’s the link to buy the Home-Ec 101 t-shirts? Or can I request one saved for me? I reckon I’ll be up there in late May.) 😉
Lynnster says
PS My comment just disappeared, have I been sent to the spam box?
Lynnster says
I read this last night and am completely intrigued by it, I’d never heard of it ’til now.
Two questions – how often do you usually use it?
And if you’re mixing, like, the heavy cream with it (or something else) – how much do you mix in there? A few drops like with the water, or more?
For those reading, Ivy has GREAT skin so I can vouch for the fact this stuff must work!!! She’s one of those gals that really doesn’t need makeup to look good and I’m totally jealous. 🙂