Whether you're feeling the effects of the lousy economy [1] or not, it never hurts to save money. This week, I'll be bringing you a series called Recession-Proof Beauty. Expect money-saving tips on looking your best, including do-it-yourself treatments [2], cheap-chic products, and general advice for looking like a million bucks... even if you're counting every penny.

To start things off, I thought I'd tell you about the aspirin mask, a skin-softening, acne-fighting treatment that costs only a few cents. It's simple, cheap, and effective. Use it as an exfoliating paste, or leave it on your skin for about five minutes as a mask. Either way, you should see brighter, softer skin with less dullness. (That's because the effective ingredient in aspirin is chemically similar to salicylic acid [3], which helps exfoliate skin.)

For the super-simple aspirin mask "recipe," .

You will need:

• Four or five aspirin pills. They must be uncoated, plain aspirin; Advil, Aleve, Tylenol, and the like won't work.
• A tablespoon or two of lukewarm water
• Honey or plain yogurt (optional)

Mix the aspirin with just enough water to make a paste. If you want a thicker mask, add a dollop of honey; if you prefer a more soothing mask, some plain yogurt can do the trick. Apply the mask in a thin layer on your face, then allow it to dry. Remove it by rubbing in gentle circular motions.

Please note: Some people are allergic to aspirin, so try a patch test on your forearm before spreading this all over your face.

Source [4]