Improving Your Skin
By Mandy, age 14, Oklahoma
Have you ever noticed when summer kicks off that your acne starts to show up again? Well, it's not really surprising if you think about it. All of those late nights staying up and going to bed at dawn can really take a toll on your overall skin appearance. So I decided to whip up an article on things you can find around your house that can improve your skin's appearance.
Aspirin
If you check out my previous article on this (Who Needs Pimples?), you will understand in greater detail what I'm talking about. But for those who are reading this for the first time, I'll explain it to you. :) Aspirin makes your face smoother after you apply it to your face as a face scrub. It works great because of the aspirin's grainy texture. Non-coated aspirin works well for this because it dissolves quicker, but any aspirin will work. It gets rid of scars and may prevent acne from reoccurring. (I'm speaking from my own experience of course. :] ) Use this once or twice a week, depending on your skin's sensitivity, mixed with a small amount of water. See my September '07 article for detailed directions.Egg Yolks and Egg Whites
Egg whites can be used to get firmer skin and smaller pores, and to lighten your skin at the same time. Egg yolks are used to give your skin a more natural complexion. All you have to do is separate the egg yolk from the egg white - or visa versa. Whisk the egg white until foamy or the yolk until lemony in color. Apply either to your face and wash off when it feels tight.Potatoes
Yeah, potatoes. Surprisingly enough, potatoes seem to lighten your acne scars and discoloration. Apply grated potatoes to your face for about a half hour before you wash it off. Good for blackheads, wrinkles (not that anyone has wrinkles, of course :D ), whiteheads, and blemishes.
Ice
Probably the most used remedy, next to toothpaste. Take an ice cube out of your freezer and wrap it in a plastic bag or towel. Apply to your zit. Reduces swelling and shrinks your pores.Toothpaste
Before bed, dab a small amount of toothpaste (be sure to use paste, not gel) on your pimple. Toothpaste is commonly used to dry out zits overnight.Tomatoes
Apply tomato juice to your face for about 15 minutes every day. This gets rid of blemishes and spots. Tomato juice can also be used to fade a summer tan.There are sooo many treatments out there, so search the web and experiment. See what works for you. I use all six of these treatments occasionally, so I can promise you that they're effective, at least for my skin. Have a great summer, and look forward to the beginning of school next month!
