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Would You Try This: Get Rid of Oily Skin Using Milk of Magnesia Primer

Wednesday February 1, 2012 by Alexandra C.



Having oily skin, whenever I hear the words 'glisten, sheen or dewey', I cringe inside. I'm not alone, there are always chicks looking for advice on how to deal with oily skin. While doing some clever internet googling, I came across a bizarre remedy I had never heard of before: using milk of magnesia as a primer to reduce oil and shine. 


On the scale of Preparation H to Peptol Bismol, this edition of Beauty Detective falls somewhere in the middle on the weirdness range (I'll admit I was glad the embarrassment factor when purchasing was significantly lower this time around). Milk of magnesia is also known as magnesium hydroxide but the term 'milk' is used to describe the texture of the product (it actually does look like milk). Milk of magnesia (available at all drugstores) is used primarily as a laxative and for digestion. Supposedly, the milk of magnesia mattifies the skin and keeps an oil free canvas that in turn, will help with acne. 

Step 1: Apply Milk of Magnesia 

I was thinking about using this as an online dating profile picture!

I took off my make up on one side of my face and applied the milk of magnesia with a cotton pad. I applied a thicker layer than normally suggested so you would be able to see what it looks like when dried. It takes about 1-2 minutes to fully dry and have a chalky feel and look to it when it does. If using this as a primer, you obviously don't need this much, however you could also use the milk of magnesia as a mask in the same way. 
 
Step 2: Moisturise

On the same cheek, over this layer I applied my regular moisturiser lightly, patting with my fingertips.  This gets  rid of the white residue. Over this, I applied my foundation. 

Step 3: Concealer, Blush and Set 

I finished applying my makeup on the same cheek, using my concealer, blush and setting with a powder foundation. This photo was taken about an hour after I had finished my makeup. 

The Verdict on the Milk of Magnesium Primer: I'm kind of into it. 

Milk of magnesia costs about C$10.00 for almost a litre (i.e. a lot of upset stomachs). That's a very inexpensive primer considering a drugstore primer will run you about C$15 for a much smaller bottle and a high end primer can cost up to C$40. I didn't have any problems with my makeup going on or the finish of my makeup. In fact, it looked better than the other cheek. A few hours in, my skin was still matte and there was no shine. The one thing I didn't like was the application process since it is a bit on the messy side but otherwise, consider me a milk of magnesia convert! 

Would you try this trick out? 

More by Alexandra C.
More on Eyes, Lips, Face, Would You Wear This?, DIY


Facebook Comments


39 Comments

on Feb 21, 2013  smiley_gen  2,901 said:

Sounds like something I should try!

on Aug 09, 2012  laughlovelivelife  463 said:

Im definitly going to try this!!!!

on Feb 29, 2012  AlexJC said:

UPDATE: I have become Addicted to this! I was using it twice a day (as a primer in morning and then a mask at night) but once the really harsh winter wind started affecting my face, I switched to using it only as a primer. I've found that my skin is much better, less oily and also my skintone is healthier!

on Feb 29, 2012  bdeyell86  2,018 said:


Interesting, Not sure if I will try tho.

on Feb 06, 2012  Penguinsangel  477 said:

OH my gosh I had to come back and say that I bought this Friday night and tried it for the first time yesterday and no shine. I usually get this oily/shiny forehead, but had none. Am in love with this. Thank you so much for sharing!!

on Feb 06, 2012  LadyChick234234  3,651 said:


I'd try that. For sure.

on Feb 06, 2012  AlexJC said:

@Dinah After a full day of wearing my makeup, the milk of magnesia primer holds up pretty well, definitely not worse than any other more expensive primer.

I found that after a while it started to cake just a bit and I had to blend it a bit more into my skin. But this happens often will my skin- it doesn't matter what primer I am wearing. It definitely didn't fade though. After a while there was a bit of oiliness around my nose but less than with moisturizer or other primers.

on Feb 05, 2012  GlamGal  2,328 said:

I don't think I would try it, but it is interesting....

on Feb 04, 2012  Charmheart16  2,419 said:

This is interesting. I'm always looking for ways to control the oil on my forehead. Will definitely try this.

on Feb 03, 2012  Dinah123  1,236 said:

Oops posted before signing in :$ (below)

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