Ivory’s Quick Clear-Skin Toner
7 uncoated aspirin
2 TBSP witch hazel
1 TBSP aloe vera gel
10 drops of tea tree oil or other antibacterial essential oil (optional, but recommended)
any 3-ish oz bottle (like you take on planes)
Combine ingredients. Fill the rest of the bottle with hot water. Let sit 24 hours. Pour through a paper towel to remove sediment (if you care to…matters not). Keeps for up to 14 days. (no preservatives, ya know)
WHY THIS WORKS
Salicylic Acid, the chemical exfoliant found in many acne treatments, facial masks, toners and wart/corn removers, is also a great headache medicine. However, it’s a little rough on the tummy so it’s ‘buffered’ with another molecule and we call it aspirin.
So, yes, the same stuff that fixes your face, cures your aches…and is derived from plants like willow. Which is why our ancestors from Indians to Hippocrates chewed on willow bark for a pain reliever.
*If you are allergic to aspirin (i.e.break out, itch, or whatever)…discontinue use.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Yay! My hubby’s face is all broken out from razor/shaving gel issues. I’m going to find this stuff TOMORROW so I can help him get his face looking more adult-ish, and less boy-going-through-puberty-ish. Thanks! Any tips for DIY shaving stuff?
If you make our soap from lard and pour it in a squat jar to set up, he can do that old shaving brush routine. My father-in-law uses my soap for that (without the jar/brush) and says is great on his skin. He uses it head to toe and for shaving. It’s very mild and makes a really stable foam.
THANK YOU! I see a great Father’s Day gift in the making…
i’ve only recently found your blog and am consistently impressed with the wealth of information, tips and tricks i find. thanks for all of the great ideas!
Thank you!
Hi,
My hubby and son both have issues with razors so we invested in a very good quality electric razor and it has stopped the problems!
Thanks so much, Ivory…my 18-year old is suffering a bit and my 13-year old is following lock-step…it will only be time before the 10-year is right there with her brothers. Finger crossed that this will help them.
@ Erin this will catch the exfoliation end of acne, but not necessarily the bacteria end. However, I’ve used hydrogen peroxide or milk of magnesia with great success. The peroxide is a free radical thingy, though. So I’d just use it at the worst times of the year.
So, I was reading your post on TTO, and was wondering, how does this toner fit into your skin care regimen? And do you use any kind of moisturizer at the end? I love the toner and the scrub, they’re awesome! (I made my scrub with lavendar, and it’s sooo soothing!)
I have not been able to find uncoated aspirin. The best I have found is lightly coated. Is there a particular brand I can search for that is uncoated? Or is it OK to use the lightly coated in this recipe? I’m really looking forward to trying this out.
@Shelley–I”m sure lightly coated is fine!
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