How to: Make an Aspirin Mask
Thursday, April 10, 2008
•
FAQ,
Reader Request,
Skincare,
Tutorial
•
19
Comments
I've been asked by a few readers about the aspirin mask and to elaborate on it. I first learned of it on MakeupAlley.com; this is not something I invented or claim to. I wanted to try it because I read lots of positive reviews about it. I was also interested because I was looking for home remedy skincare solutions. The aspirin mask turned out to be one of the best discoveries for me! It's extremely affordable and easy to do. The following is based on my own research and experience. I'm not a dermatologist or skincare expert by any means.
What does aspirin do? How does it work?
Aspirin is essentially salicylic acid, a type of beta hydroxy acid or BHA. BHAs are commonly found in many anti-aging/age reversal and acne products. I don't really know the exact science of BHAs and skincare, but in layman's terms, it works as an exfoliant. It sloughs off dead skin cells to promote growth of new cells. It's anti-aging because you're basically revealing new, younger skin. It can provide age reversal because by getting rid of old cells, you reduce the look of wrinkles, lines, and hyperpigmentation. As for acne treatments, it unclogs your pores and therefore reduces acne visibility and occurrences. BHAs are lipid soluble so it can go into sebum (oil) and exfoliate dead cells clogged inside the pore.
What are the benefits of the mask?
This is solely based on my personal experience. I've experienced disappearing and less white & blackheads; reduced size of pores; reduced redness in skin; smooth, softer, and brighter skin; reduced discoloration in skin. As an acne spot treatment, I've experienced my blemishes reduce in size & redness and go away faster.
What about other exfoliating cleansers and scrubs?
The important things about BHAs is that it has to be absorbed into the skin to work. With cleansers and scrubs, you wash off the BHAs before absorption can occur and are ineffective.
Who should use the mask?
It's for anyone who wishes to improve their skin! I'd recommend if for any skin type, especially if you have acne prone skin or have oily skin. Do NOT use the mask if you're allergic to aspirin! I hope that was obvious.
How often do you use the mask?
I do it about 1-2 times per week. I would not recommend doing it more, especially if you have dry skin. I've read that some people do it everyday, while others do it every other day. Some only do it once a month, but it's really up to you and how your skin reacts.
Now that you have some background info about the aspirin mask, here are the things and ingredients you'll need to make the mask:
* a small dish
* uncoated aspirin tablets
* honey
The recipe is very simple, but there are several versions. Some do not use a binding ingredient (honey in my recipe), while others substitute it for plain yogurt or aloe vera gel. You can figure out which works best with your skin. When I use it as an acne spot treatmeant, I do not use honey. Also others use Evian or spring water, while I use just plain tap. You can use more or less aspirin tablets. People with heavy acne can use up to 10.
CAUTION:
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!
CHECK YOUR ALLERGIES!
DO A SPOT TEST!
Directions:
1. Place your # aspirin tablets in a small dish. I use 4.
2. Add a few drops of water to the tablets, only enough for it to be crushed and grainy.
3. Add a small dollop or squeeze of honey over the crushed tablets.
4. Mix the two to create a grainy paste.
5. Spread the paste all over your face, avoiding inside of your nostrils. Let it set and dry for 10-20 minutes.
6. Wet your hand using warm water and scrub your skin with the grains of aspirin in a circular motion. Repeat until you've exfoliated your entire face. I concentrate scrubbing my cheek, nose, and chin area. Then, wash your face with water only to remove the rest of the mask.
7. Now, wash your face with your normal cleanser to remove any residue. I use my Dove SkinVitalizer here. Pat dry afterwards.
8. Tone, then moisturize. I use Nivea Moisturizing Toner or Ruben's Remedies Rose Water Toner. I use Nivea Creme if I did the mask at night or Olay Complete All Day Moisture Lotion if in the day.
This is my skin after the mask and without any makeup. This photo has not been photoshopped, altered, or edited in any way except for the watermark.
This is basically my mini home facial, like mentioned in my Drugstore Staples 2 post. If you try this, I hope you see improvement in your skin like I have. Please do not hesitate to ask additional questions not answered here. I'll do my best to answer, but I'm not a professional. Remember to pull your hair back when doing the mask, it can get sticky!
What does aspirin do? How does it work?
Aspirin is essentially salicylic acid, a type of beta hydroxy acid or BHA. BHAs are commonly found in many anti-aging/age reversal and acne products. I don't really know the exact science of BHAs and skincare, but in layman's terms, it works as an exfoliant. It sloughs off dead skin cells to promote growth of new cells. It's anti-aging because you're basically revealing new, younger skin. It can provide age reversal because by getting rid of old cells, you reduce the look of wrinkles, lines, and hyperpigmentation. As for acne treatments, it unclogs your pores and therefore reduces acne visibility and occurrences. BHAs are lipid soluble so it can go into sebum (oil) and exfoliate dead cells clogged inside the pore.
What are the benefits of the mask?
This is solely based on my personal experience. I've experienced disappearing and less white & blackheads; reduced size of pores; reduced redness in skin; smooth, softer, and brighter skin; reduced discoloration in skin. As an acne spot treatment, I've experienced my blemishes reduce in size & redness and go away faster.
What about other exfoliating cleansers and scrubs?
The important things about BHAs is that it has to be absorbed into the skin to work. With cleansers and scrubs, you wash off the BHAs before absorption can occur and are ineffective.
Who should use the mask?
It's for anyone who wishes to improve their skin! I'd recommend if for any skin type, especially if you have acne prone skin or have oily skin. Do NOT use the mask if you're allergic to aspirin! I hope that was obvious.
How often do you use the mask?
I do it about 1-2 times per week. I would not recommend doing it more, especially if you have dry skin. I've read that some people do it everyday, while others do it every other day. Some only do it once a month, but it's really up to you and how your skin reacts.
Now that you have some background info about the aspirin mask, here are the things and ingredients you'll need to make the mask:
* a small dish
* uncoated aspirin tablets
* honey
The recipe is very simple, but there are several versions. Some do not use a binding ingredient (honey in my recipe), while others substitute it for plain yogurt or aloe vera gel. You can figure out which works best with your skin. When I use it as an acne spot treatmeant, I do not use honey. Also others use Evian or spring water, while I use just plain tap. You can use more or less aspirin tablets. People with heavy acne can use up to 10.
CAUTION:
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!
CHECK YOUR ALLERGIES!
DO A SPOT TEST!
Directions:
1. Place your # aspirin tablets in a small dish. I use 4.
3. Add a small dollop or squeeze of honey over the crushed tablets.
4. Mix the two to create a grainy paste.
6. Wet your hand using warm water and scrub your skin with the grains of aspirin in a circular motion. Repeat until you've exfoliated your entire face. I concentrate scrubbing my cheek, nose, and chin area. Then, wash your face with water only to remove the rest of the mask.
7. Now, wash your face with your normal cleanser to remove any residue. I use my Dove SkinVitalizer here. Pat dry afterwards.
8. Tone, then moisturize. I use Nivea Moisturizing Toner or Ruben's Remedies Rose Water Toner. I use Nivea Creme if I did the mask at night or Olay Complete All Day Moisture Lotion if in the day.
This is basically my mini home facial, like mentioned in my Drugstore Staples 2 post. If you try this, I hope you see improvement in your skin like I have. Please do not hesitate to ask additional questions not answered here. I'll do my best to answer, but I'm not a professional. Remember to pull your hair back when doing the mask, it can get sticky!
great post! i tried the aspiring mask once on me and the BF but for some reason i didn't notice a difference...i dont think i scrubbed and exfoliated...maybe i'll try it again!
this is something i've been wanting to try out for a while now, so thanks for a great post! i'm having trouble with blemishes myself.
what stores sell Nivea Moisturizing Toner?
Ren: Yeah, I think scrubbing is the important part. I love how smooth my skin feels aftewards~
Tracy: Thanks! I don't usually get pimples, but for some reason, I've started getting one here and there. The aspirin mask has really helped though!
Anonymous: I got my Nivea toner at Walmart for around $5. I'm not sure if I've ever seen it at drugstores or Target.
Thanks for the step by step instructions. I've seen this review on several site before, one being RiceBunny's, but their instructions confused me. I'll be sure to give this a try now since I trust you (har har!). And you HAD to use a cute bowl didn't you. =P I would use my cheapo Asian store plastic rice bowl. ^_^ And omg, the honey looks so delicious. I love honey, I can eat it with anything.
My Target doesn't carry Nivea products (and it's not online either). =( Long's has them though but most of their Nivea is Nivea Body.
This reminds me of ricebunny when I first heard about aspirin mask :) It did nothing for me though :(
Peach: I've seen her tut too~ Is it just me or does she looker older than she really is? It's probably just me and my very old non-updated prescription glasses :P LOL, yes I intentionally used the cute bowl just for you!! Actually it was a little salt & pepper shaker set that were shaped like a orange & lime wedge, but they both broke! I don't know why Nivea isn't at other places~
Lurve: Aw! Maybe because you already have GREAT skin! It looks so freakin flawless!!!
you gotta Ketchup Day, too, eh?
hmmm. i've heard of the aspirin mask, but have never tried it. i think i'm gonna try it now, but i'll use aloe vera gel. thanks for sharing!!
i'm gonna have some product giveaways on my page. if you're interested, please go on my page, read the post, and then give your opinion in the comments so i can get the giveaways started. i'm trying to see if i should only have one grand price winner or 3 winners.
i seriously gotta try this. :) thanks for posting!
Gee - I'm not really a fan of the Loreal HIP gel liners though. I bought it when it was BOGOF at Longs. I bought black and purple. At first it was nice but I've had it since fall(?) and it looks like they're drying out. I rarely used them too. The first few times I used it, the gel was soft (almost like FluidLine). The last time I used it though, it felt a little hard. =/
Pros: Staying power is great, no smudgies, and it's water proof.
ooo i tried this once and i got positive results, but i havent got around doing it frequently. I didnt know there's salicylic acid in there, which is very good for blemishes!! Ive been doing green tea mask, which is pretty good but i feel it might be losing the effect, perhaps i should go back to aspirin again!!
Hi, if I want to get rid of red pimple bumps fast, would it be okay to apply the paste on acne spots only and leave them overnight? Kinda like a acne cream?
To Anonymous^
You could, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. I've never kept it on overnight so I can't really tell you my results. A spot treatment for 10-20 minutes is fine, but any longer you could risk drying your skin out too much. Using aspirin isn't an overnight miracle worker.
If you're looking for the most immediate relief possible, I'd say your best bet is to do an aspirin mask. Then use a product containing benezoyl peroxide such as Clearasil. But fair warning, I'm not a dermatologist and skin reactions vary.
I will say though, if you're at all stressed about something, relax. If thinking about acne causes you stress, stop thinking about it. Stress releases hormones and can cause acne to worsen.
Good luck!
THANK YOU, STUMBLEUPON! :]
I just finished doing this as a mask/scrub and my skin definitely feels a little rejuvenated! A little more noticably softer, too. I had no idea that aspirin was salicylic acid (I have really bad acne right now), so I will definitely be adding this to my regimen.
It's easy and super cheap too! A generic bottle of aspirin is .99 at the drugstore.
Thanks so much!
I've mixed aspirin with my clay mask and have had amazing results. My skin tone is even and redness (I have very red skin) gone.
when i did this while waiting for it to dry it started icing really badl.....is this normal??
To Anonymous^
I've never experienced any itching. Are you sure you're not allergic to aspirin or honey? Like I warned, check your allergies and do test a spot! Everyone's skin will react differently and the effectiveness of the mask will vary from person to person.
Good luck!