DIY...

I read a lot of beauty blogs, and many of the bloggers swear by "Do It Yourself (DIY)" types of things. I'm all for mother nature, but I think this just further emphasizes the point that everybody's skin/body is different, and that what may work for one person, may not work for another.

I have tried many of the famous DIYs:
- aspirin mask
- yogurt mask
- green tea - sugar scrub
- turmeric mask

Personally, I have only found the turmeric mask useful. Whenever I use the yogurt mask, my face breaks out even more, in place that I don't usually breakout. I am also lactose intolerant, so I'm wondering if maybe my skin also is "allergic" to milk... The aspirin mask did NOTHING for me, if anything made my pores worse. Green tea and sugar? Also did nothing.

I use the turmeric mask when I'm facing a breakout -- and I'm talking underground, cystic, painful breakouts. In a ceramic dish or bowl I mix up some plain turmeric powder with a little bit of water -- just enough to make a paste that will spread easily without being too watery. I just spot treat whatever areas I need to, leave it on for about 30 mins, then rinse.

VERY IMPORTANT: DO NOT do this in your bathroom sink! It will stain anything white yellow permanently. I do this at my kitchen sink since it's metal. I also do not recommend rinsing this mask off with bare hands. I wear latex-free gloves to rinse this off, and it stains them pretty thoroughly. When you rinse, you'll find your skin is tinted yellow, but it should lessen when you use a toner, and then when you wash your face the next morning (HINT: do this mask/spot treatment at night before you go to bed).

I find this mask especially helpful in reducing pain/severity of a pimple, or at least helping it to turn faster. It's worked for me, but hey, it might not work for you. I just decided to try it because I had turmeric lying around and I figured I had nothing to lose! Give it a shot :)