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Milk of Magnesia Worked For Donut Face

Q. My face looked like a dry glazed donut for eight years, until I read your column about using milk of magnesia on the face and scalp. My dermatologist had been treating my scalp but I got nowhere. Both problems disappeared after one application of MoM.

A. Milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide aka MoM) has been used for more than a century as an oral laxative. More recently we have heard from readers that if this chalky liquid is applied to underarms it acts as a deodorant.

Someone else told us that topical applications of milk of magnesia on the face while showering could be effective for flakes. Another reader shared her success story: “ I tried the milk of magnesia on my daughter's terrible seborrhea after using countless remedies and prescription shampoos, and it has made a real difference. We were already using Lotrimin and Nizoral shampoo (prescription strength). MoM has really helped and it is inexpensive. Hurray!”

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About the Author
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist who has dedicated his career to making drug information understandable to consumers. His best-selling book, The People’s Pharmacy, was published in 1976 and led to a syndicated newspaper column, syndicated public radio show and web site. In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as “one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.”.
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