Is milk of magnesia bad for your skin?

Ah, the age-old question on everybody’s lips – is milk of magnesia bad for your skin? Well, look no further my friends, because in this article we’re going to dive deep into this slippery topic and hopefully come out the other side with some answers.

What is Milk of Magnesia Exactly?

Before we start slathering ourselves in it and wondering why our complexion has gone from ‘meh’ to ‘mleh’, let’s get clear on what milk of magnesia actually is. This (unfortunately non-dairy) substance contains magnesium hydroxide which acts as an antacid, neutralising stomach acid and treating conditions like indigestion or heartburn.

However, Milk of Magnesia also happens to be a handy little multi-tasker, thanks to its alkaline properties which can help improve a variety common skin complaints: everything from oily skin and acne to bad breath (yep you read that right).

A Brief History Lesson

Like all good things in life (cheap UB40 tickets aside), milk of magnesia had humble beginnings. It was first discovered back in 1818 by Sir James Murray during experiments on original sources used by ancient Egyptians.He spotted how calcium oxide water wasn’t quite the end product he expected due partly because it transforms into Calcium Hydroxide over time.
Next thing you know science-y folks were playing around with chemical elements like osmium-tetroxide ,polyvinyl pyrolidone or ascorbyl palmitate leading us up until now where we’ve got more skincare products than sense.

But I digress – let’s get back onto track shall we?

The Pros & Cons

Now that we understand what exactly milk goddess… ahem sorry ‘of magnesia’ is, it’s time to weigh up the pros and cons. Ready to do some number crunching? Of course you are, what else could be more exhilarating on a Tuesday afternoon?

Pros

  • Reduces Oiliness – Our little friend milk of magnesia has drying properties that can help reduce sebum production (that’s the oily gunk that clogs up our pores). If you’re suffering with an oil slick complexion then this may just be the product for you.

  • Acne Combatant – Because it reduces oil levels, many people have found milk of magnesia helpful in treating acne breakouts. It can also help soothe severe forms too.
    > DISCLAIMER: Please speak to your doctor before trying new skincare products if you have any skin conditions as they may react differently depending on person.

  • Smell Reducer – This chalky goodness can also work wonders in helping to combat body odour. Rubbing a small amount onto your armpits could keep things smelling fresh all day long!

Cons

  • Dryness Factor +Nose Test – While reducing excessive oilyness is great, having completely dry skin isn’t so hot either! Some folks might find Milk of Magnesium rendering their face Sahara-level parched or even aggravate flakey areas.
    Another downside is how distinct it smells; with comparisons ranging from Grandma’s closet to the Walgreens medicine aisle…you’ve been warned!

So there we have it lads ‘n ladies: weighing in at 2 pros vs 1 con means that Milk of Magnesia should be fine for use on our faces right? Well not exactly…

Possible Side effects & Is It Safe To Use?

Now before any eager beavers go slathering themselves head-to-toe (it’s been done) let’s pump those breaks and take a look at possible side effects:

Possible Side Effects:
– Redness or irritation
– Dryness
– Allergic reaction (very rare)

Bear in mind that individual results may vary and if you do experience any of these side effects then immediately stop use. If it persists or worsens, c onsult a dermatologist. Play safe people!

Common Use Scenarios

Okay, okay we get it… Milk of Magnesia isn’t exactly the wonder product we all were hoping for but here are some common scenarios when MoM might step up to the plate:

  1. Makeup Primer– Wanting something to hold your makeup better while reducing oiliness? Apply MoM first usually works for gals.
    >Disclaimer: May not work with everyone especially people who have sensitive skin.

  2. Sunburn Relief– Applying cold milk soaks on sunburned skins soothes inflammation fast . Yes ma’am, enquire no further because milk can treat both acne and sunburns

  3. Deodorant/ Antiperspirant Replacement– A thin coat will keep underarms smelling fresh throughout day! Expect awkward exchanges regarding peculiar scent though.

Final Verdict?

So is Milk of Magnesia bad for our skin? Are we going to wake up seeing ourselves decked out like KISS band members post-a hard night’s debauchery? We think not; as long as you’re aware of possible side effects and proceed with caution following instructions from medical specialists when required there’s nothing inherently dangerous about using Milk Of Magnesia.
Certainly many users swear by this chalky liquid which seems able to combat excess oils/sebum production leading to fewer breakouts etc.. however like most other things in life “there’s a catch.” In terms of more permanent fixes one would still be recommended speak with their Dermatologists team who may be able to offer personalised solutions.

So there it is, folks: The Skinny on Milk of Magnesia. This chalky little marvel can play a helpful role in combatting oily skin and reducing acne while even providing sunburn relief or body odour treatment when used as directed by the prescribing medical specialist or your board-certified Dermatologist once given personalized advice.
All things considered, we’d say Milk of Magnesium might just deserve a spot into your routine – maybe not every day , but for those times when you need help mitigating excess sebum levels MofM could absokutelty do the trick!

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