milk of magnesia for oily skin

[Discohouse]

I heard on the Tyra Banks show that some models use milk of magnesia on their face before applying a cream to help keep the face looking matte all day. I tried it and it really works, but I do not know if milk of magnesia is healhty to use for long term on the skin. I think it is very high in alkaline. Anybody know?

[drtodorov]

Indeed, milk of magnesia is alkaline. You may be able to use zinc oxide cream instead. Also, Monistat's Powder-Gel is mildly mattifying.

[Discohouse]

So what does a product with high alkaline do to the skin to harm it? I myself haven't felt it irritate my skin at all, but found it extremely soothing. Do you still think milk of magnesia could age my skin faster?

I really like how it absorbs all my oil for the whole day, I Just put some in a spritz bottle, and spray some on under my moisturzier, and I stay matte all day long. I tried the monistat chafing relief gel, and it is not half as good in controling shine as the milk of magnesia.

[drtodorov]

Milk of magnesia is somewhat alkaline but not as highly alkaline as ammonia or sodium hydroxide. Depending on many factors, i.e. your skin pH, other products you use together with mild of magnesia, how much of magnesia you apply, sebum and so forth, the resulting pH of your skin, (even after using milk of magnesia) could end up close to neutral or even slightly acidic. If you want to be sure - measure it with a pH indicator strip.

Generally, overuse of alkaline products may destroy acid mantle. See smartskincare.com/skinbiology/sebum.html
But if you are using small amounts occasioally that could be ok, just be prudent and watch how you skin reacts.