After reading about how to distinguish the difference between acne and cyst in the last post, I’m sure we realize that acne is one of those persistent problems that plagues us for a large part of our lives. That is, unless you know how to take care of it. I, like many others, have tried a large array of store bought facial products. Now, I’ve never bought those ridiculous couple hundred dollar treatments—but I can see why those seem tempting when you’re feeling a desperate to get rid of these annoyances on your face.
Here is where some do-it-yourself tutorials might be handy. You only need to grab products that are probably lying around the house to create these DIY masks that could possibly be more effective than some of the cleansers you find in drugstores. Mainly because these products are “natural.”
One of the biggest downfalls that I think you should be aware of, though, is the smell. Sure, they’re natural and good for your skin, but can your nose take it? No, I mean really…some of them smell pretty unbearable. They don’t have the nice fragrance that most of the store bought mask and cleansers have. But I’ll let you be the judge of that after I’ve introduced some options.
The aspirin and honey mask is a favorite amongst many bloggers and they rave about the after effects. Supposedly it’s been around for a long time, but one of the beauty gurus responsible for bringing it back into the public’s attention is probably Michelle Phan. According to Michelle, aspirins have salicylic acid. This ingredient aids the regeneration process of your skin and prevents pores from clogging too easily (thus generating an acne—remember the sebaceous glands mentioned in the last post?)
Does the term ring a bell in anyone’s head? Chances are, if you’re an acne product junkie like myself, you would’ve encountered this name numerous of times on the back on your products under “active ingredients.” Benzyol peroxide is another popular active ingredient. Because they have different effects on different people, it would be ideal to keep tab of what works better for you.
In a sense, you are using similar medications that you purchase in stores but for a fraction of the price. So it’s worth a try if you’re interested. Michelle gives the step-by-steps instructions on what specific aspirins to use and how to prepare the mask.
On the other hand, Bubz of Buzbeauty introduces cider vinegar as a good main ingredient for an acne and scar reducing mask and toner. According to Buz, cider vinegar contains a lot of alpha hydroxy and amino acids that help get rid of dead skin cells and fatty deposits. It also helps to detoxify and unclog your pores. She also uses sugar that help exfoliate, honey that has renewal properties, and green tea that possess similar effects as the other ingredients—mainly used to neutralize and dilute the other stronger ingredient (like the cider vinegar).
She explains the properties of the ingredients as well as demonstrates how to make and store this mask and toner for future uses.
Oatmeal is another a common “natural” ingredient highly recommended by Bubz. While it is a soothing ingredient for people with sensitive skin, it also works for those with much oilier skin. Plus, it gives me something to do with the gigantic tub of oatmeal I bought the last time I was sick (it’s been sitting in the kitchen cabinet undisturbed for way too long…).
While these masks are natural and should not be harmful to your skin, please look through all ingredients and make sure you aren’t allergic to any of them. This also applies to store bought products too. You can’t really do anything about it if you don’t know. But if you are aware, it makes sense to take precaution.
Have you tried any of these masks or perhaps other DIY ones? What worked and didn’t work for you?
About Pinky
Comments