My grandma from the old country insists her stomach-churning trick gets rid of freckles – it worked like a charm on her
A BEAUTY enthusiast was horrified when her grandmother confessed the gross hack she used to get rid of her freckles.
It worked “like a charm” and now her grandmother has a smooth spot-free complexion, the enthusiast said.
The woman shared her grandmother’s advice on Reddit’s Makeup Addiction forum, which has over 6 million members.
She wrote in response to a user asking for beauty tips from elderly family members.
“A bit of a funny story,” she said, writing under the handle Denine.
“My grandma, who is very much from the old country, insists that the way to get rid of freckles is to put your own pee on your face!
“She is dead serious when she tells me this, and she’s not really the trickster type, so either she is really committed to this prank, or she believes urine removes freckles.”
The Redditor revealed she had no way of disproving her grandma’s liquid gold hack.
“She claims to have done this in her younger years, and that it worked like a charm, I can’t call her on it, because she doesn’t have any freckles!” she said.
“I don’t even have freckles, the reason this discussion came up is because I’m dating a ginger, and she suggested I let him know!
“LOL! Silly, adorable grandmas!”
BIGGER PROBLEM
Many people upvoted the post but commenters didn’t share whether they’d tried it themselves or if the hack was effective or not.
According to Verywell Health, urine is 95% water, 2% urea, and has trace amounts of minerals.
It is a myth that urine can be a beneficial skincare treatment when applied to the face, though as far back as antiquity, the Romans used it to launder clothes and as a mouthwash to whiten teeth.
These days, experts recommend looking for a product that contains urea rather than using urine.
Urine contains bacteria that can cause infections and worsen acne.
Dermatologist-approved anti-aging tips
Dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp shared his dermatologist-approved tips with The U.S. Sun.
- Stop using tanning beds.
- Don’t use sunscreen to contour your face.
- Wear driving gloves to protect your hands from the sun. He likes Coolibar Gannett UV Gloves UPF 50+, $15.99 to $39.
- Exercise, stick to a healthy diet, and get enough sleep.
- Don’t drink excessively or smoke.
Freckles may appear on the skin due to sun exposure but aren’t painful or harmful, according to Healthline.
It is “generally safe” to have them lightened using laser treatment.
There are also many over-the-counter creams that can lighten freckles and improve sun-damaged skin.
Natural remedies such as lemon juice, honey, or sour cream haven’t been scientifically proven to remove freckles.
A dermatologist can advise on the best method while taking into consideration if the freckles are hereditary or caused by sun damage.
The freckles hack came after a Redditor revealed her German grandmother uses Nivea creams as a “fountain of youth.”
She said the product makes skin “soft and hydrated” for a glowing appearance.
Many people said their elderly female relatives also use Nivea products “religiously” without their skin getting itchy or breaking out.