Print this page
Email a friend
Was this information helpful?
100% said yes!
(1 votes)What do you think? Click "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" to vote!
If you have more to say, post a comment below!
Q. Have you heard of using milk of magnesia on severe acne? My son has cystic nodular acne. He is 16 and has been under a dermatologist’s care for many years.
We have spent thousands to no avail. He has recently tried a home remedy: applying milk of magnesia to his face at night before bed. He looks the best he has in four years. Can you tell us why this is working so wonderfully well?
A. Milk of magnesia (aka MoM) is a solution of magnesium hydroxide and is best known for its laxative action.
We don’t know why MoM might combat acne, but we have heard that this laxative can help clear up seborrheic dermatitis. In this condition, yeast on the skin causes redness and flakes, rather like dandruff, but on the forehead and chin as well as scalp and eyebrows. Here is one reader’s report:
“I have been using milk of magnesia on my face for the past two months and my face flakes are gone! I pour it in my hand and massage it on my face (forehead, eyebrows, around the eyes, nose, cheeks and chin) while showering, and rinse it off at the end of the shower. End of problem. It’s a great, cost-effective alternative to expensive Nizoral, and it works better, too.”
After reading you article in the paper Sunday,I tried MOM on two spots of red blemishy skin that had come up on my face in December. They are 90% gone after 4 days of use. I put a little MOM on these spots just after I wash my face at night. I might try using the MOM in the shower, as the other reader suggested as MOM may be a bit drying
otherwise.
I read YOUR COLUMN FAITHFULLY,BUT I'VE NEVER READ ANYTHING ABOUT SEBACIOUS CYSTS. I HAVE THEM ALL MY FACE,AND THEY ARE SPREADING. WILL MOM HELP ME GET RID OF THEM?
MOM for SKIN REACTIONS to TAPE: ie. eliminate irritation to adhesive on PATCHES ,tape for bandages on injuries and surgical procedures, paper tape and regular band-aids. Just apply a very light amount of MOM in area where tape will come in contact the skin and let it dry (just edges of patch). This has resulted in no irritation (previously reacted with raw skin)
I was interested in the letter touting MOM for acne. My wife and I used MOM on both our children for diaper rash when they were babies and it worked well. We kept the MOM in the refridgerator so it was cool and soothing on our children's rashes when applied. With continued use, the rash improved over several days.
As a teenager, I was blessed with relatively few blemishes. Now in my mid-20s, I have developed large deep pimples that heal slowly and have eroded my self-esteem. I had tried everything from the department store skin care regimens to the infomercial systems to acid peels at the salon. Nothing was wholly effective and I had been considering seeking a dermatologist's help when I heard MoM mentioned on your program. I gave it a try and my skin hasn't looked better for years! I apply a thin layer with a cotton ball 3-4 times a week, let it dry and then remove with a warm cloth before applying my normal cosmetics in the morning. My skin keeps a matte finish longer through the day and I have been developing fewer and less severe blemishes. MoM works better than anything else I've tried and the price is certainly right! Thank you, Joe and Terry!
I saw Amanda H's article in a local paper and i am trying MoM.. should i use my regular acne cleanser in between using MoM ( 3-4 times a week) ?
Can MOM be left on skin (the upper back - for acne)overnight??
i have been using milk of Magnesia for oneweek now, and its great! i have been suffering from acne for years, finally something that works!
My son has suffered from horrible acne for 2 years, even after seeing 2 different dermatologists. We've tried everything from prescriptions & ProActive to laser treatments. Nothing left to try except Accutane, but we were afraid of the side effects. After using MOM for only 2 weeks, his face has improved so much that instead of hiding behind shoulder length hair, he got his hair cut so his face can actually be seen now! It definitely works on severe acne, but be sure to get the original MOM because the flavored has mineral oil added. It's wonderful to have my son smiling again!
I have been applying MOM for the past 1 week and it is not working for me...the redness has increased and have new breakouts. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
I am putting milk and magnesia on every, morning and night... and I think it's great... why spend so much money on some acne product when you can just get something as little as $1.58 :)
I've had severe acne for 23yrs and I've used nearly everything I can lay my hands on...proactive, acnepril, avecix, etc. etc., and also wrinkle removers like revitalume, amino genesis, etc., etc. that had been caused by severe whiteheads under the eyes - NOTHING WORKED. I've been using MOM for 4-5 days and my skin has become so smooth that it is ONLY a MIRACLE - how it has worked.. I've no idea why, but it has WORKED!!!
I've had really bad acne on my back and chest for years now that has slowly spread and have tried many things that have yet to work. Well, my aunt read your article in the paper on MoM and how it can help so I've decided to try it. What is the best way for application and do you rinse it off after? I'm not sure which procedure works best. Anybody know?
A friend of mine and I were just discussing a possible auxiliary benefit of MoM as an anti-aging agent, helping the face maintain a fresh, healthy look. Has anyone had any long term success with MoM for this purpose? Also, for those who may be suffering from eczema like I did, may I suggest ingesting a small dose each day of flaxseed oil? Tastes horrible but works great.
Put it on with a cotton ball and let it dry. Leave it on overnight and wash your face in the morning. My daughter has used it for two nights, along with her regular acne products, and we can already see a difference. Honestly! It works.
I went to my derm. yesterday because of my flare ups! He said my skin looked good and I told him make up does wonders then he says before I put the makeup on put MoM on and let it dry! He said my makeup will look fresh all day! Put MoM on overnight to to clear up skin but get the basic mom not the advanced one cause that has oil in it! He says the zinc is what helps skin!
As I was walking in an aisle at the grocery store, my friends mom brought up the product Proactive. I told her that everyone I know who uses/used it, say that it doesn't work. To our amazement, another lady was listening in on our conversation, and suggested MoM. I bought it yesterday! I used it last night and this morning, I can't wait to see the results after a few more days! She said she had heard about it from an article! Thanks so much! You have solved about 5 years of severe acne.
Hi, my son has both seb. derm around his nose and acne-the acne has been treated with antibiotics, and ointments. It will clear up somewhat, but never completely, then will flare up again. The seb. dermatitis on each side of his nose has flared up quite a bit the last week or so. I am going to get some MOM, and am wondering if this should be used instead of his other stuff or in addition to it?
thanks!
I heard about MOM from a friend, I have moderate acne, mostly on the forehead. I can't wait to try it. Of course I will also continue eating fresh fruits and vegetables and drinking lots of water and green tea!
Does eating fresh fruit really work?
M.O.M really does work. I have the most pretty face. I used to break out and try to hide it but now I don't ever really break out. I still got some scars but M.O.M. really is helping them.
MoM works very well. I started using it 6 months ago and it helped my skin soooo much. SO much better than my dermo products. Then I stopped because I got lazy, and started to break out again. I am now leaving it on almost every night before bed all over my face. It can be some what drying, but it works wonders. Best product for acne I have ever used!!
I also have used MOM for one week now with no improvement... my acne tends to hurt and it has gotten more painful this past week. I was wondering if you got any tips after posting that message. I wonder if I'm doing it wrong, I just rub it all over my face morning and night after cleansing and in the morning I put make up on over it. Is that what you do too?