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A cheap beauty secret might be hiding in your medicine cabinet — according to one skin care specialist.
Dr. Mahsa Saleki, from SAS Aesthetics in the United Kingdom, shared some cheap and easy skin care hacks to keep people looking their best.
Her first trick is to put aspirin on your face — which she claims can fight acne.
Saleki told the Sun that aspirin contains “pure salicylic acid,” which is a common ingredient in several acne medications. Salicylic acid, which occurs naturally in plants like willow bark, is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial and also works as a skin exfoliant, according to Medical News Today. Saleki recommended doing a patch test on the skin to test for an allergy before trying the method.
Saleki claims that aspirin, which also comes from the bark of a willow tree, has salicylic acid, although that’s not entirely true. Aspirin has something called acetylsalicylic acid, which is similar but not the same.
“Acetylsalicylic acid is a larger molecule that needs to be broken down to release different parts, one of which is salicylic acid,” Silicon Valley-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Amelia Hausauer told Byrdie.
“That means you have an extra acid in the mix when you make a paste of aspirin and water — acetic acid — which can add to irritation in combination, or at high doses.”
Some people recommend making an aspirin paste by crushing a few tablets and putting them in warm water. The paste is then applied to pimples.
There is currently no evidence to suggest that topical aspirin helps acne, according to Healthline.
A 2015 study found that aspirin paste could be used to treat a viral rash, but the authors didn’t discuss acne.
However, people can take aspirin orally to reduce skin swelling from things like sunburn.
Saleki also had a few recommendations for skin care during and after a workout.
Her first suggestion was to wear sunscreen.
“Exercising outdoors without sunscreen can accelerate skin aging,” she said.
“UV rays break down collagen and elastin, leading to premature aging, including fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin,” she added.
She also said people should make sure to wash their face after a workout.
“Sweat, dirt and bacteria can accumulate on your skin’s surface during exercise and, if left uncleansed, they can clog your pores,” she explained.
“This can lead to the development of acne, as the clogged pores become inflamed and infected,” she added.
Finally, she said people should skip makeup while working out at the gym because it can clog pores and lead to acne.
