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Never mind sudocreme – a lot of people put crushed up aspirin tablets on their spots – and it does seem to work. Why? Well aspirin contains amongst other things acetasalicylic acid. This is chemically like salicylic acid which is an ingredient widely used by the cosmetic industry to clear skin and dry up spots. Plus it seems to bring down inflammation even when applied topically (straight on to the skin for you and me as opposed to swallowed.)
It can be used as a face mask and exfoliator for anyone with oily/acne prone/congested skin. Here’s what you need.
- 4 aspirin tablets
- Tablespoon of water
- Oil or honey.
- Dissolve the aspirin in the water and mix in a little oil (whichever oil you like best – olive oil is fine) or honey. You need these to help the mask stick to your face and stop getting powdery.
- Apply a thin layer of the paste to your face, paying particular attention to spot prone or congested areas.
- Leave on for ten minutes. Rub the mask gently into pores when you’re removing it and it does a great job of exfoliating too.
Easy and cheap! Will you be trying it?
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Anyone with diabetes or a hypertension problem should never try this as the asprin can be absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream.
Americans are mad about these masks, have never tried myself.
I would love to give it a go i never had any problems with my skin till i went travelling and since i returned have tried everything to get my skin on track its not that bad but never a clear day
I’ve used it – not all over, just on spots and spottier areas. Inc used as teenager – so that would be about 20 years ago. Dries out spots nicely. It’s a teeny bit of a pallaver, but nothing drastic.
Not a good idea to use all over, unless your skin is actually oilier, tougher, and zittier all over. And avoid the eye, corner of nose, and lip area.
I’d def give it a go but think you need to use the non coated aspirin as it won’t dissolve as well. Atomic yeah the gals on makeup alley are always on about this & the jojoba oil..but ive yet to try either
I’m allergic to aspirin so I won’t be trying this one out!
Also.. if you have sore muscles after a workout or something.. 2 dissolvable aspirin in a hot bath works wonders!
Aspirin is quite often prescribed for diabetics and people with hypertension, so I’m unsure why it would be a problem for these groups?
It definitely IS a problem in under 16s (linked to Reyes syndrome), someone who is breastfeeding, anyone with a history of sensitivity to either aspirin or ibuprofen etc, anyone on warfarin and a few other conditions.
Normally aspirin is avoided in those with any stomach problems, but I would say since in this instance it is absorbed locally it would probably be OK (but I would still avoid if it was me!).
Also I don’t think anyone should use this regularly – only occasionally i.e. maybe once a month! Although I’m a pharmacist, this advice is not offered professionally – just my opinion!!
We’re not liking the idea of the aspirin face mask are we?! I didn’t either, I was looking forward to seeing what you guys thought. I think a paste on a couple of spots or a blocked up area would be as far as I would go!
does it matter that aspirin wouod also be cut with other things? can ya get pure aspirin?
I’m going to try it! I have a facial booked thursday, so if doesn’t work she can repair me!!
Imagine mammy walking in to find you chopping up pills with a blade and smearing them all over your face….
Townygirl – do try it and report back!
I use baking soda in a paste…don’t think I’d use this!
This as a paste is excellent on ingrown hairs.
As its basically the same stuff thats in tendskin or vanish.
FYI Obviously not suitable for those allergic to asprin, pregnant or with further contraindications.
thanks for the tip ellen-must try that out next time!
great tip ellen!
I have tried the aspirin mask, and it works well. Leaves the skin nice and smooth. Mind you my skin is not in the least bit sensitive, but i like the deep cleansing effect.
Hiya, long time fan of this forum but my first post so be gentle
Just wondering what kind of aspirin is best to use? I’ve read the rave reviews on makeupalley and tried to get some in the chemist the other day and the pharmacist told me aspirin can only be got on prescription!!!
Hi Flutter – you’re very welcome to Beaut.ie!
I wouldn’t say it matters what brand – I thought asprin was just a generic product
Flutter, where are you from? You can buy aspirin in any pharmacist, convenience store or supermarket, they’re sold as painkillers or headache tablets!
actually no, I think she’s right. Disprin is an asprin deriviative but I am fairly sure that aisprin is available on prescription because I remember the beaut.ie daddy being prescribed it for his heart.
Disprin is aspirin. Aspirin can be bought over the counter of course. Some people go get aspirin on prescription – typically enteric coated low dose aspirin which is the type some people take every day on doctors’ advice.
For the purposes of the aspirin mask, just get the cheapest you can find
diz – are there not other things in disprin??
I think i’ll stick to my tried and tested method of putting toothpaste on spots before bedtime. In the morning they are usually pretty much gone. Yay!
Have to say I’ve just tried the asprin face mask for the first time, and I’m loving the results! I used it all over (I generally have sensitive skin) and it’s left my skin so soft. Of course I moisturised with good ol baby lotion after, but the redness has subsided to virtually non existant and the small couple of spots that I had have shrunk. It’s probably not something I would do often , maybe once every couple of weeks or so. But I’ll definately try it again
I plan to use this, found a video on YouTube showing a girl giving a demonstration on how to use it. She said you can use both uncoated aspirin and the BC headache powder stuff. She said she used it once or twice a week and her skin was AMAZING! So smooth and pretty! I plan on trying this myself, especially since I break out during that time of the month.
Here’s the link to her vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-Hksg8B4cQ
I tried it and it worked great! It shrunk my spots significantly!
would this be ok to use for an under 16′s if no other medical problems ? jw because on the packet it states no under 16′s should use this becuse the rare possibility of Reye’s syndrome ? thanks
I’ve got sensitive, acne-prone combination skin, and I love this mask. As long as you use a good, thick moisturizer afterwards, overdrying shouldn’t be a problem. It’s basically an exfoliant and a variety of salicylic acid, which are both used to treat acne or oily skin, so it makes sense.