One of the least expensive and best anti aging treatments are hydroxy acids although there are many products on the market that promise to help fight wrinkles. Many products promise to work great, but fail miserably. These products are always promo's on sale because the manufacturers want to move them and take your money! They are hype for a little while, then the magic disappears and so does the product.
One kind of product that actually delivers what it promises are hydroxy acid lotions and creams. There are two kinds of hydroxy acids; beta and alpha. Alpha hydroxy acids are the most popular and found in many skin creams and lotions. AHA's are made from simple sugars found in fruits or milk and contain lactic and glycolic acids. Beta hydroxy acids however, are made from salicylic acids, which are found only in aspirin.
The aspirin mask is a homemade beta hydroxy acid mask. It is inexpensive and highly efficient, made from salicylic acid or aspirin tablets.
Hydroxy acids work by exfoliating the skin’s surface and removing dead skin cells. Dead skin cells are sloughed away and are replaced by new skin cells. This is known as skin cell regeneration. Both are effective but one actually penetrates deeper than the other one.
The biggest difference between beta and alpha hydroxy acids is found in their solubility. Alpha hydroxy acids are water soluble, whereas beta hydroxy acids are oil soluble. Therefore, beta hydroxy acids are one of the best anti aging treatments because they are able to penetrate oils found deep in the skin’s pores.
AHA's and BHA's are effective anti aging treatments you can do for your skin. Over time, hydroxy acids improve wrinkles, reduce discolorations in the skin, and smooth roughness. With increasing research into what causes wrinkles and the lasting negative effects of sun exposure, the use of hydroxy acids has increased greatly in popularity. Beta hydroxy acid found in skin-care products work best in a concentration of 1% to 2% and at an acid pH of 3 to 4.
Prolonged use of beta hydroxy acids can increase sun sensitivity by 50%, which is somewhat of a paradox. Beta hydroxy acid may reverse some of the damage caused by sun exposure, but at the same time they make the skin more sensitive to sun exposure. Anyone who uses beta hydroxy acids must use a good sunscreen that contains UVA and UVB protection in order to protect skin from further damage.
Even though beta hydroxy acids penetrate deeper into the skin, they are actually less irritating to the skin. This is because salicylic acid is derived from acetyl-salicylic acid, or aspirin.
Aspirin has anti-inflammatory properties, and salicylic acids retain most of these anti-inflammatory properties. Despite this fact, beta hydroxy acid can still cause skin irritation. Symptoms of irritation include redness, burning, itching, pain, and possibly scarring. People with darker colored skin are at a higher risk of scarring pigment changes with beta hydroxy acid.
BHA's deep clean pores and help retain blemish-free skin. BHAs heal existing blemishes faster and more efficiently than some of the top leading blemish products.
The Aspirin Mask
The aspirin mask is a homemade BHA mask. It is inexpensive and highly efficient, made from salicylic acid or aspirin tablets. The aspirin mask is good for all skin types, especially normal, oily, combination skin, or acne-prone skin.
Basic Preparation
1/4 tsp. salicylic acid or 3-5 crushed aspirin
Distilled water
Mix the powder with the water to a creamy consistency. Apply on clean dry skin. (focus on T-zone and sides of the nose). Allow it to dry completely. Moisten a small cotton pad or ball lightly with water and begin gently scrubbing the areas covered with the mask, using small circular motions. Finally, rinse with plenty of fresh water. Follow up with a moisturizer. Your skin will be left completely smooth and even.
There are unlimited versions of this mask. You can add yogurt, aloe vera, or honey to the aspirin instead of water. You can also make the mask with a basic moisturizing lotion instead of using water too. This is great for sensitive to dry skin types because it is less harsh on the skin.
Another option is to mix salicylic acid or crushed aspirin into any store bought mask. (clay mask, hydrating mask, or soothing mask). My personal favorite is an oatmeal mask with a bit of crushed aspirin. The combination is less irritating and dries faster compared to plain aspirin with water. The after effects of this mask is absolutely unique, so smooth and clean!
* If you use powdered salicylic acid, limit the quantity to 1/4 tsp. for the whole face. Too much will burn the skin. If using aspirin tablets, you'll need somewhere between 3 and 10 tablets, depending on the size of the area where you apply it.
* Do not apply it near your eyes.
* Don't use this mask too often. Beta hydroxy acid anti aging treatments should follow this skin type schedule. For very oily skin or for severely blemished skin, use once every three days. Normal skin types should only use it once a week. Dry or sensitive skin types should only use it twice a month.
* I just tried the aspirin mask and it really does make your skin feel delicious! I couldn't believe that it was so simple! It is a bit hard to smash up the aspirin without a mortar and pestal but it is doable. Just takes a bit of time. The results are amazing!
Aspirin masks are one of the least expensive yet effective anti aging treatments. If you want clearer skin, be sure to try one! If you don't have time to make your own, of course you can buy them. A good one to try is A/B Hydroxy Acid Rejuvenator. You should also consider a chemical peel, for more directed and serious skin care.
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