I'm going to stick to the salicylic acid for this next post, even though it's not next in the regimen. Since you already have the salicylic acid powder, and I've explained how it works (see last post), we'll just dive right into making this crucial, excellent masque for getting rid of clogged pores FOREVER! Caveat here: some people are very sensitive to Salicylic acid, so test this masque out on the back of your hand first. It should not burn!
I just want to say that I'm still surprised every morning when I look in the mirror that my face is actually free of those horrible bumps. My pores are smaller, too, I've noticed, and my complexion is very even-toned. I'm certain it's the salicylic acid treatments that are causing this awesomeness. It makes sense that if your pores are free of debris, they'll be less inflamed and will appear smaller. Right?
| Help. This is real. |
The masque (spelling it this way helps it work better): I use this about once a week. When I first started making it I was using it twice a week, which is fine, but I wouldn't continue that for too long, as you may cause lasting damage to the acid mantle on your face and end up making everything worse.
The ingredients:
Salicylic acid powder
Raw, organic honey (preferably local to your area)
Alcohol
I do an approximately 15% solution, but you can go up to 25% if you can stand it. I think of it in terms of sixths. One sixth is about 15%.
Place 1/2 teaspoon of salicylic acid powder in a glass or ceramic bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of alcohol. Mix it up with a spoon or chopstick until the powder dissolves. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of honey. Mix it all up until it's all the same consistency.
Using your fingers, smear the stuff on your clean, dry face. It will probably sting a little at first, especially if you're using a higher concentration (percentage of salicylic acid). After a minute or two, it will start feeling less tingly. Leave it on for 40 minutes or so, and then rinse it off with warm or cool water. Make sure you rinse it off completely. Moisturize with a little drop of hemp oil, and you're good to go! Cured!
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| You and me being all beautiful with our honey salicylic acid face masks on. It's working already! |
You can purchase a starter kit with everything you need for your regimen at MIRI
I just may have to give this a try!
ReplyDeleteTry it! It totally works.
ReplyDeleteSo I finally tried the masque tonight, first day since I started trying this regime that I was not wearing make-up and had a clean face to start with, and I did test it first with no reaction. However, when I put it on my face it burned. I thought maybe it was an initial reaction and would go away, but I was wrong. I had to wash it off with cool water after about five minutes. Should I try reducing the SA? Do you think that might help? Or should I just skip this all together? And if I do wear make-up can I do a short oil cleanse and then use the masque (if I find ratio that does not burn)? Or do you think that is that too much? So far I have not had a worsening of my acne, but I seem to have a few more white heads than normal. I am wondering if that is from the SA toner dissolving the plugs at the top and letting out the gunk underneath. I am certainly not giving up!
ReplyDeleteDon't give up!!! Good lady!
DeleteYes, reduce the amount of SA by half (also reducing the amount of alcohol by half). If that feels okay, you can use it like that for awhile and then gradually build back up to 15 percent solution.
I think it would be okay to use the mask after a short oil cleanse. I wouldn't do it after a long one, though, as that might be a bit much.
Good luck, Meagan. Let us know how the lower proportion of SA works for you in that mask, will you?
Yes, I will give it a go tomorrow night and let you know what happens. Thanks for the advice on the half amounts.
DeleteI've been making my own oil blend for cleansing and find that it really does take off my makeup and all the gunk my skin collected during the day than any cleanser out there! And it doesn't dry or irritate my skin, so that's a HUGE plus! My (continual) problem is the comedones that I can actually SEE when I look in my close-up mirror. Little tiny, white dots that barely stick up from my skin when I stretch it. I can sometimes pull them out, but if I continued doing this to every single one, I'd never leave the house!!! There must be something I can get/use/make that will either break down these tiny monsters or shrink them down to where they can't be detected even with a magnifying glass!
ReplyDeleteI had similar problem for ages until I found that for me it is the diary products causing little white dots.
DeleteAfter having your face cleaned by a professional, follow a diary-free diet for 6 weeks at least and see if there is a difference. (Also a separate gluten-free diet can show some result.) Noemi from Hungary
The reduction to half the amount of SA seems to be ok. No burning! Yay. I will start using it, but I think I will not use it every week like you did when you started. After the reaction I had I am thinking every other week, or every third week. I have to say, I have seen a reduction in the amount of clogged pores on my nose since I started using the toner, so something must be working. I do not feel the grainy texture you described when I do the deep oil cleanse, but I really like the way it feels when I use it to cleanse after a day of make-up. And it does seem to clean off the dirt and grim on my face. I will update again after I have had more time. I hope this works!
ReplyDeleteYay! So happy that worked for you, Meagan. It sounds like you're doing well with this. It will work! I HAVE FAITH!!!!
DeleteAlthough Salicylic Acid works, you must be very careful! I am a licensed professional and I received a few minor burns from overlapping so be very careful not to repeat my mistake. Its quite a strong product! The Citrus Clear Grapefruit Spot Treatment did exactly what it was it was designed to do. 1 week after my 1st treatment, I was free of several stubborn blemishes that have plagued me for months. Prior to me purchasing this treatment, I had 2 treatments at my dermatologist's office that did not produce the same results for 90 bucks each. I recommend Citrus Clear but only if you apply with caution!
ReplyDeleteNice, thank you! Mine came out super, I have tried and tried to get rid of this one white head for two years, I made this and pop, out it came.
ReplyDeleteDo you have any suggestions for a honey replacement for vegans? I love the salicylic toner and would like to add this to my regimen, too.
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly! Agave nectar is a great substitute for honey. xxx good luck!
DeleteHi Beth,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all a big thank you for posting all this fab info!! You sound so kind and caring. For the last 10 years or so my skin has been a major source of embarrassment and i have high hopes for your system as it seems so natural - i'm eagerly awaiting delivery of your starter kit. Like others, i wish i'd found your website earlier.
I have a question though - i have a major problem on my nose with enlarged pores that have gotten really bad over the last 4 or 5 years, though i've had them for much longer than that. I'm allergic to just about every single otc product, including soap, but have found a salicylic acid and lactic acid peel (Infinite Skin 20%) that sort of helps with the appearance for a few days but then my skin peels off in dribs n drabs - you can imagine how attractive that is! Then it goes back to the same old, same ol' big pore look although its much easier to get the gunk out. I think i've read through all of your posts, and the comments, and i haven't seen anything about the skin peeling or flaking off. Is there any peeling or flaking using your method?
Is there any peeling especially with the SA and honey face masque - or does the honey moisturize the skin so it doesn't peel at all? Does the honey help draw out the gunk as well as the SA? I have a tiny bit left of the SA lactic acid peel in the bottom of the bottle and wondered if I could just add a bit of honey to it and apply it like that for a trial. Because I've been using this SA and lactic acid peel for a while now (wish i found your site first), I want to use a 25% SA in your SA and honey mask as my skin is probably quite used to the SA by now. Do you think 3/4 teaspoon of salicylic acid, 1 1/2 tsp of alcohol and 2 1/4 tsps of honey sounds like the right proportions for the 25% mask, possibly leaving it on for less time.
Sorry for all the questions but thanks once again for your terrific website and your compassion and knowledge!
Diana D
Hey Diana! I got your order. Thank you SO MUCH!
Deleteto answer your questions: there is no peeling with this method. The salicylic acid gently dissolved the sebum over a period of time, and the hemp oil prevents the clogs from forming. The entire process takes at least a few months. For me, it took four months. You have to really be patient. I promise you, though, that you will be pleased with the results.
I'm not surprised that your pores filled up after the peels. It sounds to me like you suffer from the same type of acne I have, where it seems like every single pore is clogged. so frustrating!!!! so i think what happened was that the peel did a great job of dissolving the existing clogs, but could not prevent them from forming. the hemp oil, after a while of applying it topically, will prevent them from clogging. honestly, i only use water and hemp oil most days. i don't even have to use the toner any more because the hemp oil prevents clogs completely with me, except near my period.
Honey doesn't really draw anything out as far as I'm aware. I use it more for its humectant and anti-bacterial qualities. It's a nice, clean medium for a mask. you could definitely add a little to your peel to try it out. i use it alone sometimes and i love it.
3/4 teaspoon of salicylic acid, 1 1/2 tsp of alcohol and 2 1/4 tsps of honey sounds like the right proportions for the 25% mask = sounds perfect. That's about what I do now for mine, although I don't do many masks anymore. After your skin gets clear, you won't have to do as many.
PLEASE write back and let us know how you're getting along, Diana!
xxx
I accidentally poured the solution into the alcohol so I had to throw the alcohol out. Is it just isopropyl alcohol?
ReplyDeleteHi Ashley. It's isopropyl alcohol.
Delete