Tumeric Facial Mask

So with the post of my Sugar Lips Scrub it got me to thinking about other recipes I used when I worked at the Natural and Organic Spa. Tonight I came up with a new concoction which was a little risky but turned out great!

It has long been known that aspirin is a great treatment for acne. It contains BHE (beta hydroxy acid) or salicylic acid. The very same ingredient that is in many manufactured blemish treatments. I have recently become aware of turmeric and it's many healing properties as it's a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent. Turmeric is also an anti-inflammatory. All of these ingredients combined will produce brighter, less irritated skin. After a few masks you should see a marked improvement in your break-outs. I felt my skin looked less red and irritated after just one treatment! Add in a little honey as its a humectant and you've got a little somethin' good goin' on!

So here comes the risk factor. Everyone knows you can't get great things without a little risk involved right?! And if you know anything about turmeric you were gasping at the thought of applying it to your face! Scarredy cat that I was, I certainly didn't want a bright mustard colored face! So I did what any bright gal would do.. a test patch on my arm. :) Yep, sure thing, a square yellow stain appeared. But to my surprise a suggestion I found on the web, regarding using milk to remove the yellow from your skin, worked! I wish I'd have known this trick for all those times I cooked with turmeric and had yellow finger tips!

Turmeric Acne Mask
3 aspirins crushed, non-coated works best but I used buffered ones as that was all I had.
1/4 tsp turmeric (find at an Indian grocery)
1/4 tsp honey
2 TB (or so) of besan flour. (this is chickpea flour which you can find in most Indian groceries)
milk, enough to create a paste
milk, enough to wash face post mask
cotton balls

Mix first two ingredients together. Add the honey and besan flour. Start adding milk until it forms a paste. It will be very bright yellow! Apply to face and let dry. This will take about 10-15 mins. Wash off with warm water. Use a washcloth that you don't really care about since the turmeric will stain it. Once all of the mask is removed, cleanse your face with a cotton ball dipped in milk. This will remove any yellow tint your skin picked up from the turmeric. (it really works!! promise!)

My face felt fresh, looked brighter and is quite soft too!  I have to admit this experiment turned out much better than the recent banana mask I tried to make. Oh goodness.. that was a disaster! lol.

Aspirin Mask
1-3 aspirins
Warm honey (runny honey)


Mix these two items together and apply to the infected  area. Let dry, appx 10 mins. Rinse with warm water to remove.
*You might need a few drops of warm water to get it to mix up properly. But it should remain a paste.