PRIMER DILEMA | WHY YOU SHOULDN’T USE MILK OF MAGNESIA AS A PRIMER

A must have for me in my makeup regimen is my face/foundation primer because I have a combination skin. Combination skin means that my t-zone gets oily than the rest of my face. To tame the oil, I either use my favourite face primer or I use an oil mattifier. Both of them helps control oiliness or secretion of oil on my face.

Just the same way there is a primer for the face. There is also a primer for the eyes. Today is all about the face/foundation primer and the importance of NOT using the “MOM”, milk of magnesia as a face primer. The use of mom or milk of Magnesia as a face primer seem to be a trend in the beauty community. Today, I am going to share with you few reasons why you should NOT use them as a primer.

What is a primer and what does it do ?

The face primer is simply used to “prep” the skin before make up application. Make up like foundation, powder and other cosmetics. It is a skin care and make up solution. The primary benefit of the primer is to even out the skin to achieve even and smooth complexion.

Other benefits of the primer is that it helps prevent or reduce redness, reduce oil secretion, reduce the appearance of acne, helps make up last longer and it is a base for your makeup. When I say base for your makeup, it means the make up is not applied directly unto your skin but on top of something. That something is the primer.

Since there are different skin types, there are different primers that work for different skin type. I will share that with you in the near future.

If it is wrong, it is wrong !

I will start by saying that the fact that something is a trend does not mean it is right. Right simply is right and wrong simply is wrong no matter how you put it.

If you love your skin, my advise to you will be never, ever use the milk of magnesia as a primer. Milk of magnesia is not a primer, don’t use it on your face.

What is Milk of Magnesia and what is it used for ?

The scientific name for “mom” is Magnesium hydroxide Mg(H0)2. It is called the milk of magnesia because of its milk like appearance as a suspension.

In simple terms, it is used to treat constipation. It is simply a laxative. Laxatives are meant to help you move the bowel easily, they help you loosen stool. If you like, they are meant to help you use the toilet a.k.a number 2. They are also very helpful for the prevention of constipation.

It is also used as an antacid. An antacid is a substance that neutralises stomach acidity. It simply means the relieves of heartburn. In most cases, you can buy them over the counter and it is not advisable to use them on a long term basis.

Why you should never use them ?

If is natural for your skin to react to them because they are not formulated for your skin. The alkaline PH of MOM too high for your skin.

Your skin is slightly acidic. If you sweat and taste a little bit of your sweat, it tastes like salt, that is what I mean (don’t try that thought ). It is the acidic nature of the skin that allows the bad bacteria affecting your skin to die easily and helps the good one to thrive.

Good skin care products are formulated within good PH of (5 to 8). When the acidic PH of the skin is tampered with, the bacteria caring for your skin becomes harmful and can cause things like dryness, prone to irritation and acne.

Milk of magnesia or MOM has a high PH of 10.5 which is way too high for the skin. Using it will eventually damage your skin. Damage to the skin is however not easy or cheap to correct.

According to skin care guru Paula Bergoun. She says “milk of magnesium is too high in PH. Frequent or continues use of it will cause damage to the skin”. She also says using it once in a while is okay.

I will say, don’t use them at all. Why buy them when you can buy a primer? It is natural for the face to secrete oil, it is almost inevitable especially if you have oily skin.

What should I use then ? 

There are different primers formulated for different skin type like I mentioned above. I will write a post in the future sharing primers I will recommend to you. In the mean time, try get yourself some blotting paper to help keep your face matte. Also setting your face with a translucent powder or a blotting powder will do the job for now.

Watch out for that post and see it as a part two to this one.

If you have been using the milk of Magnesia on your skin or planning to buy yourself some, I hope I have given you enough reason not to.

Now share this post with your friends and family, they may also find it helpful.

As always, thank you so much for stopping by today. Wishing you a fantastic day today and God bless.

Much Love, Mojisola.

Photo Credits : Google Images.