Quote:
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Originally Posted by mykidsmom
I'm interested in acne relief  |
This is what the book says:
Taken from
The Complete Beauty Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Beauty by Paula Begoun, pages 249, 252-253.
page 249
"...I recommend a mask of plain milk of magnesia, the kind you buy at the drugstore for an upset stomach. Milk of magnesia is just plain liquid magnesium. Magnesium, like clay, is an earth mineral, but, unlike clay, magnesium has some disinfecting and anti-inflammatory properties and can absorb more oil for its molecular weight than clay can."
pages 252-253
"The most important element for all these skin-care battle plans is consistency. It takes a minimum of three weeks to six months to see a consistent improvement in your skin."
...
"The following plans include the types of products needed to gently cleanse (without futher clogging pores or increasing the presence of bacteria), exfoliate, then disinfect."
...
"Plan A. Gentle cleanser; 1% or 2% salicylic acid - exfoliant; 2.5%, 5%, or 10% benzoyl peroxide - disinfectant; and milk of magnesia - facial mask.
Plan B. Gentle cleanser; 8% or 10% AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) - for those whose can't use salicylic acid for exfoliant; 2.5% or 5% benzoyl peroxide - disinfectant; and milk of magnesia - facial mask.
Plan C. Gentle cleanser; 1% or 2% salicylic acid - exfoliant; tretinoin (Retin-A, Tazorac, or Avita) or Differin in the evening; 2.5%, 5%, or 10% benzoyl peroxide - disinfectant, in the morning (do not apply at same time the Retin-A, Tazorac or Avita is applied); and milk of magnesia - facial mask.
Plan D. Gentle cleanser; azelaic acid - antibacterial and exfoliant; and a milk of magnesia facial mask.
Plan E. Gentle cleanser; tretinoin (Retin-A, Tazorac, or Avita), Differin, or azelaic acid; a topical prescription antibacterial; and milk of magnesia facial mask.
Plan F. Gentle cleanser; tretinoin (Retin-A, Tazorac, or Avita), Differin, or azelaic acid; a topical prescription antibacterial; oral antibiotic; and a milk of magnesia facial mask.
Plan G. When all else fails, Accutane."
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid. Not only does it exfoliate but it also acts as an anti-inflammatory so it can actually reduce irritation, swelling, and redness. It's a derivative of aspirin...
Alpha hydrozy acids are exfoliants as well but have limitations for blemish-prone skin due to their inability to penetrate inside the pore. They are water soluble and can't get through the oil. Salicylic acid is lipid soluble so it can penetrate into the pore.
I get by 2.5% benzoyl peroxide from this place (it doesn't take much to cover your face):
http://www.clearskinregimen.com/cart...&mode=gel_info
I use the soap brand Purpose for my cleanser ($3.50 or so from WalMart) and I get Mary Kay's blemish control toner which has 2% salicylic acid.
The milk of magnesia costs about $3.99 at Rite Aid for a big bottle - and it lasts forever!
I'm not going to be concerned too much about the price of all this, because it works for me. And it's something I don't buy but maybe 2-3 times a year (except the cleanser).
I hope this helps! The book is very useful. I haven't read it all, but it seems to cover about every topic skin-care related...
Oh, and I do Plan A...
Dixiechick