The truth about Milk of Magnesia as a primer

You may have heard from a friend or read in a blog somewhere that Milk of Magnesia can serve as a cheap face primer for people with oily skin.  As far as my research goes, several bloggers in the Philippines have also tackled this matter talking about how the product has worked for them.  I, on the other hand, do not own a bottle of Milk of Magnesia.  What I will talk about today is whether using MOM for this purpose is safe and effective.

The original purpose of Milk of Magnesia

MOM was originally intended to neutralize the pH in our stomach.  If you find yourself having stomach ache, excess burping, burning sensation in your mid-region, heartburn and a sour taste in your mouth then that means you have excess acids in your stomach.  Taking MOM will relieve these symptoms because it counters or neutralizes the acidic pH in your stomach.  However, it will not address the main problem as to why you have gastric discomfort, it will only take away the pain.

MOM is also a laxative (helps you poop).  When the Magnesium ions dissociate from the complex they are not fully absorbed by the intestinal tract and so it absorbs water from the surrounding tissues.  The increased water in the intestinal tract will help to soften the stool and make it more "passable."

One other ingredient that can be found in Milk of Magnesia is Sodium Hypochlorite, otherwise known as bleach.  These are in very low concentrations and mainly serve to disinfect the product making sure there will be no bacterial growth (unless of course the product is expired).

The attributes of Milk of Magnesia that make it applicable for skin care

A medical journal was published in which the authors performed tests with different forms of magnesium on their ability to separate wax esters and steryl esters (basically oil) and they found that magnesium hydroxide (the form found in MOM) performed best.  They furthered their study and tested it on wax esters and steryl esters (again oil)  from the skin surface lipids of humans, rats and monkeys and they found the oils were separated completely.

Also the other ingredient, le bleach, is a strong oxidizer and can cause chemical dissolution of surface lipids resulting in less oil on the skin.

The good (above) and the bad (below)

Because it was originally intended to neutralize the pH of our gastric environment, Milk of Magnesia is quite basic with an overall pH of 10.5.  Furthermore, the bleach found in MOM produces Sodium Hydroxide when it reacts with water.  And Sodium Hydroxide has a pH of 14 making it even more basic.

The estimated natural skin pH is below 5 making it acidic.  When this pH is followed, the normal flora (resident bacteria) on our skin stays attached to the skin.  Now don't go "eewww" and "yucky" on me.  We actually need these resident bacteria on our skin.  They're not freeloaders on your face, they actually serve a purpose.  First off, the normal flora on our skin are good bacteria much like the lactobacillus shirota strain in your yakult.  They don't cause pimples or harm your skin, that's why they're called NORMAL flora.  Also, they serve as guardians and protectors of our skin.  When the normal flora on your skin is present it fights off other forms of bacteria that can be potentially harmful.  It competes for space on your face.  Now when the pH levels of our skin rise (above 5) we actually disperse the normal flora on our skin lighting up the "vacancy" sign and making it a playground for other harmful bacteria.  In using MOM, which is a very basic product, we actually increase our pH level making our skin more basic and warding off our friendly, protector bacteria.  (You still with me?)

So Now What?

The whole point of this post was not to discourage you from using MOM as a primer for oily skin.  You may if you really want to.  I just want you, le reader, to be fully informed about the things you apply on your face. There are reasons why products not intended for the face are now being considered for skin care and I want you to properly understand why instead of just taking your best friends word for it.  I suggest, however, that should you try this use it very sparingly and on alternating days so as not to completely disrupt your skin's pH level.

"So if I can't use MOM everyday, what would you suggest?"  Glad you asked.  A ton of products are being made with the specific purpose of priming the face before makeup application.  It's all about collecting and selecting which one works best for you.  I know that sounds expensive but this is your face we're talking about.  No expense should be spared on putting your best foot forward.  Once you find your HG primer, you will begin to save because your spending will be limited to just that.  To start off your collect and select process, here are a few I would like to recommend.

(Note:  I do not own any of these primers.  This list is a product of research and accumulation of a lot of reviews on primers for oily skin)

1. Ellana Minerals Make It Last Liquid Primer

I've actually swatched this primer and found that it glides on very smoothly and dries fairly quickly.  With regards to it's oil controlling power, mixed reviews have been made but those that actually recommend it say they got really great outcomes.

2. NYX HD Studio Photogenic Primer

  

According to several reviews, this primer is great at oil control.  Most users got at least 8 hours of no retouch on this product.  However it may be hard to blend and because of the white color it can produce a white cast if too much is applied.

3. Krave Mineral Oil Eliminator & Skin Hydrator

If the 2 claims of this product, which is oil elimination and skin hydration, become true for you then this would be the perfect primer.  The two properties would work hand in hand because if you will remember (i discussed this on a previous post) oil is produced as a defense mechanism when our skin thinks it's become too dry.  So when the Krave Mineral powder hydrates the skin it removes the excess production of the oil and because it has oil elimination properties it can also get rid of the surface oils.  I will be ordering this soon so stay tuned for the reviews.  Order here.

If these 3 don't work for you, there are a ton of other products out there waiting to be tested.  God bless your search for the right one.  :)

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