By Sheila Arkee
There are so many affordable at-home tricks to acheiving beautiful skin. One of my all-time favorite is what’s commonly referred to as the “Aspirin Mask”. Costing mere pennies per application, it is a quick, easy, and effective way to keep your skin smooth and acne free.
The ingredient that makes the magic happen is salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that helps clean out pores and battle acne-causing bacteria.
Step One: There are two main ingredients in the aspirin mask: water, and uncoated or lightly-coated aspirin. I rarely come across uncoated aspirin, so I use a lightly-coated generic brand, and it works great. For your face, all you need are 2-3 tablets.
Step Two: The aspirin tablets will dissolve in water, so you don’t really to put a lot of work into preparation. It’s best to use a small bowl, I happen to do all the mixing in my hand. Just a few drops of water will do.
Step Three: Massage the tablets in your hand until they’re dissolved and form a mushy paste. There isn’t a binding agent, so the paste will be fairly loose and flaky.
Step Four: Apply! Let rest for about five minutes, and then rinse away. The dried mask will be powdery, so be careful! Alternately, you can incorporate aloe vera or honey with the mushed up aspirin to act as healing binding agents.
As you’re rinsing, use the mask as a scrub. You’ll need to use a washcloth to follow up and make sure you’ve removed the mask entirely.
Step Five: Moisturize and you’re set!
The Aspirin Mask is quick and works – I’ll do the mask a night or two before an big event- its like an at-home mini-peel that makes your skin so smooth and let your foundation glide on. You can do the mask as often as you’d like, as long as it doesn’t overly irritate your skin. Of course, if you’ve never done the mask before it’s best to do a patch test for allergies first on your neck.
Precaution: Do not use this if you are pregnant, nursing, have issues with blood thinning, or have Reye’s disease. Discontinue use if you experience irritation. Although the rate of absorption is slower through the skin, aspirin WILL absorp into your so keep advised dosage amounts in mind. I am a peer and not a medical professional, and my advice should not be taken as medical advice.
Medical disclaimer: The information on the Painted Ladies site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please refer to our complete medical disclaimer for further information.
Just tryed it today[: hope it works! cuz i just got like an acne flair…blahh!
I just used this, and it has helped my skin feel softer. I have super oily skin and for some reason about 3 years ago, my skin started getting this way and it breaks out all the time. I hope this works because it is a really cheap and easy fix, plus it’s fast!
I’ve used Proactiv, Oxy and everything I could think of. I sure hope this of all things works.
Awesome. Thanks for sharing.
I do a similar thing but use baking soda in my hand and add a few drops of water. I don’t usually leave it on like a mask, I just use it as a wash and it works really well at leaving your skin really soft, However, I really like your idea because of the salicylic acid. I know it definitely is what works on acne, I just wasn’t aware that it was in something so simple as aspirin. I am excited to try this and save some money!
Thank you for this wonderful tip! Can’t wait to give it a try. I have been using baking soda as a home microdermabrasion since 1980 and it works great and does not dry my skin. I would do it a day or two before a special event followed by a good moisturizer. Make-up would glide on beautifully. All dead skin was gone and my face just glowed. Didn’t know about the salicylic acid until now but never had a big acne problem and have great, hearty skin.
As a tightening mask to pull out toxins or dirt and reduce the size of pore, I use an egg white (very little goes a long way). It feels strange as it dries and you literally can’t speak or smile without feeling like your face is cracking because it gets that tight. Once completely dry, I wait a few more minutes and rinse. Do this a week or more before an event in case the drawing produces a blemish but goodbye blackheads and large pores. This is the cheapest and most effective and organic mask I have ever found. Love it.
Thank you again for the aspirin mask, will try this today! Btw…love Monoi Body Balm from The Body Shop but buy mine on-line. Blessings that all of these tips help those with sensitive or acne prone skin! Diana
This is such an interesting post and one that is valuable to so many. I’ve known about this for at least a dozen years. Many people swear by it. I understand that if you use AHA you shouldn’t use this mask.
Hi, thank you for sharing this tip, but I have to say I’m a bit hesitant, because last week I tried a DIY mask with lemon juice and honey, that was supposed to make my skin softer and make blackheads disappear, but it didn’t work. Instead I got bumps all over my face and redness on my forehead.. Sooo I’m not sure I’ll try it..
Besides, I live in France, and I don’t know where to find those uncoated pills you’re using.
Anyway, thanks