Important: The tips below are for general, at-home use and are not medical advice. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) can irritate skin and interact with certain medications. Do not use aspirin topically or orally if you’re allergic to aspirin/salicylates, have active skin infections or open wounds, are on blood thinners, have bleeding disorders, stomach ulcers, severe asthma triggered by NSAIDs, or are under medical instruction to avoid NSAIDs. Aspirin is not recommended for children or teens with viral illness because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome. Always patch test skin hacks (inner forearm, 15–20 minutes) and discontinue if burning, redness, or rash occurs. When in doubt, check with a healthcare professional.

Why Aspirin Shows Up in DIY Hacks

Aspirin is best known as an over-the-counter pain reliever, but its active family (salicylates) also has keratolytic (exfoliating) and anti-inflammatory properties. That’s why you’ll see it in dandruff tips, pimple dabs, and callus softeners.

Used thoughtfully and sparingly, aspirin can be a handy addition to your at-home toolkit—with common-sense precautions to keep your skin and health protected.

1) Soothe Insect Bites

Occasional itchy bites can ruin your day. A quick aspirin paste may offer short-term comfort by dialing down surface redness and itch.

How to try it