Homemade Soothing Facial Cream

You can buy many types of soothing facial creams in stores, but this one is very easy, works well, and is as close as your medicine cabinet.  This is another tip passed to me by my eldest brother, who was a stylist and cosmetologist.  It has two simple ingredients:  Unscented lotion and aspirin.

To make this wondrous lotion, crush one aspirin until it is a fine powder.  Mix the powder into 1 tablespoon of your choice of lotion.  I used Palmer's Olive Oil lotion for the batch I made in the photo. Mix well, and store in a covered container.  I usually make a couple of batches at a time. Apply at night, before going to bed, and then wash off the next morning.  Your skin will be smooth and soft. 

This is especially wonderful for reducing facial redness, relieving discomfort from blemishes, and it also helps smooth lines in your face.  Use it approximately 1-2 times a week, no more, and you'll find your skin tone to be more even and have fewer blemishes. 

Aspirin contains acetyl salicylic acid, which is a mild exfoliant.  Many skin-clearing creams, lotions, and makeup sold in department stores contain salicylic acid, which is a close relative to aspirin.  Salicylic acid originally came from willow tree bark but was bitter and was known to cause irritation, especially of the gastric lining.  By modifying it slightly to acetyl salicylic acid, it is buffered and more gentle and more easily tolerable in the body.  

**PLEASE, if you are allergic to aspirin in any form, do not use this lotion.  If you're allergic to it on the inside, you'll be allergic to it on the outside, as well.**