How to Get Gum Off Your Face

Kids often get gum on their faces.

Favored for its chewy, sticky texture and flavor variety, chewing gum is a well-known confection made of food-grade polymers, softeners, flavorings, colorings and preservatives. Blowing bubbles with gum, however, sometimes causes gum to stick to your face when it pops. Since gum on skin is uncomfortable and unsightly, people often desire to remove the sticky mess immediately. Gum becomes harder to peel off skin the longer it sets. Promptly remove gum from your face using mild products.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton ball
• Baby oil
• Mild facial cleanser

Instructions

1. Immerse a cotton ball in ordinary baby oil. Rub the oily cotton ball over the gum, thoroughly saturating the sticky mess.

2. Massage the oily gum with your hands to soften and loosen it. Roll the gum into a wad.

3. Pull the softened wad of gum gradually off your face. Moisten the wad with additional baby oil if necessary.

4. Remove the baby oil and any remaining gum fragments from your face using a mild facial cleanser and water. Massage the cleanser evenly onto your face according to the cleanser manufacturer's directions.

5. Rinse your face thoroughly with fresh water.

Tips & Warnings

• Substitute mineral oil for baby oil.

• Spot test the baby oil and facial cleanser on your skin to prevent allergic reactions.

References

• International Chewing Gum Association: Frequently Asked Questions
• She Knows; Tips To Remove Bubble Gum; Molly Cerreta Smith; August 2010