#5 Beauty on a Budget: Aspirin Mask

Being a single mum means these days I have very little money to spend on myself. Most of my clothes come from eBay (unless my own mum sees fit to treat me) I can only really buy make up when it’s on offer and anything done in a salon, I can basically forget about. My mum dyes and cuts my hair for me, I pluck my own eyebrows and wax my own legs (when I can be bothered obviously.) Anything that can make me feel good and is cheap, I’m there.

I discovered the wonders of an Aspirin Mask when I was googling for ways to combat milia. Milia are keratin filled cysts. I’ve always had milia around my eyes since I was a baby, which according to the doctor is due to the fact I have very very sensitive skin which means everything I use on my face (and in the summer, even excessive sun light) causes my skin cells to die faster but unfortunately I have problems shedding them at the same rate. Gross right? Anyway, I never had an issue with the milia before, I can pretty much cover it up day to day and the lame (read desperate) part of it even think it gives my face character. I have more issues with the monthly battle against the spots on my chin (my mum suffers the same problem, even at 50, thanks genes) and my huge nose, than I do with a few white bumps under my eyes.

I’m pretty sure this blog entry is going to mean I’m single for life.

Moving on, although milia pretty much always needs to be professionally removed (which I’m not going in for) there are ways to help it, one being this amazing aspirin mask. I came across a blog, Skin Deco which explained all about it. Aspirin’s scientific name being acetylsalicylic acid, the salicylic acid part being the bit that helps the skin.

“Salicylic acid is a great exfoliant especially for people with acne-prone skin. Its has the ability to penetrate the pore. It can therefore exfoliate within the pore as well as the surface of the skin. This reduces blackheads, blemishes and whiteheads. Salicylic acid also has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which is another reason why it is good at treating breakouts.
Salicylic acid breaks down keratin, a protein that forms part of the skin structure. This causes shedding of skin cells, removing warts, calluses, verrucas and improving cell turnover.
It also reduces oiliness, skin discoloration and appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It improves collagen production, skin thickness and barrier functions.
When used in combination with other treatments, it allows their ingredients to penetrate the skin more easily and effectively.” — Beautifulwithbrains.Wordpress.Com

This is what convinced me to give it a try! If tonight is successful, I plan on using it once a week to help my milia and my spot prone chin.

Here’s what you need

Uncoated Aspirin, Honey, Face Wash (I use sensitive but you can use any) and a bowl & spoon for mixing

• Place two aspirin tablets into the bowl. 
• Add half a tea spoon of water and crush the tablets. They should start to fix.
• Add a squidge of honey and a squidge of face wash. 
• Mix until it starts foaming.

• Apply it evenly to your face and leave for 10/15 minutes

I only applied it to my cheek bones for the milia and on my chin for the spots. The rest of my skin isn’t oily enough and I was worried I’d damage it. Remember this mask contains a form of acid so shouldn’t be used as an every day scrub. 

• After the time is up, wet your fingers and massage/scrub the areas with the mask on for a minute or two.
• Wash off with warm water and pat dry.
• Finally moisturise as usual. 

I have to admit, so far this seems to be a success! The honey and the sensitive facial wash as made the mask mild enough for my skin that I haven’t had a reaction (we’ll see if this is still true come morning, I won’t hold my breath) and my skin feels really soft! I totally recommend trying this as it’s so cheap!

And since I’ve already made myself pretty undesirable, here is a photo of me, sans make up, spots and all trying out my homemade aspirin mask. Enjoy.