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By Kristen from Swistle
You betcha! Keep in mind, though, that you’re asking someone in her mid-thirties. Check back in ten or twenty years and see if I’ve changed my tune.
Here’s what you’ll need for the regimen my skin loves:
1. Bar of girly soap : Caress or Dove or Oil of Olay , each of which costs about $1 a bar in a multipack. Use morning and night with a washcloth. You can use your hands in the role of the washcloth if you want to be even more gentle with your skin.
2. Apricot facial scrub . I get the store brand for about $2 for 6 ounces, because anyone can crush an apricot pit. Use once every couple of weeks, avoiding the eyes but making sure to get the “pore strip area ” of the nose.
3. Oil of Olay Warming Cleanser , about $9 for 4 ounces. Use once a week.
4. Daily moisturizer with SPF . I use either Dove Deep Moisturizing or Oil of Olay Complete . Either one costs $6-8 for a 4-ounce bottle. Use every morning.
5. Night cream . I use Night of Olay Firming Cream . This is the most expensive item I buy: $7-8 for 2 ounces, but goes on sale for $6. Use each night.
There you go, Gorgeous! Your whole bag of tricks for the cost of an ounce of the rich girl stuff!
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Love this! I use the Dove products and love them. I also like Aveeno’s moisturizers and anti-aging cream. Not sure how they match up, price-wise, but probably comparable.
Lee | October 28th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Oooh, fun!
Also, “anyone can crush an apricot pit.” Ha!
Nowheymama | October 28th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
I have about 10 years on you. I agree that there are deals to be had at the drugstore, but I think you’ll find that apricot scrubs will start to feel a little mean to your skin. If you like a physical exfoliant, there are lots of inexpensive brands that use round beads for scrubbing that will be a little kinder.
However, I think chemical exfoliants are kinder still, and in my experience, more effective. I’m talking about serums, toners or moisturizers containing salycilic acid, also known as beta hydroxy acid. These will exfoliate as well as or better than a physical scrub over time, but will not create the micro-injuries to skin that an apricot pit fragment will. Also, washes containing chemical exfoliants aren’t really on your face long enough to do much, so if you want in on this action, you really have to use something that stays on your skin. Bonus, BHAs reduce blackheads.
rb | October 28th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
My son has some pretty serious skin condition and sometimes the medications leave his skin flaky. The dermatologist said that the best exfoliant is wet sugar. I’ve been using it and it’s great! Scrubby enough without being scratchy.
LoriD | October 28th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
I use Dove soap products, as a dermatologist told me he highly recommends them. I use a facial moisturizer with spf of 15. Oil of Olay is what I use, but whatever works for you. However, I recently began using Aveeno facial cleanser because my Dove product was out…and my skin is glowing, soft, and smooth.
My other secrets to great skin: drink a lot of water, minimize direct sunlight exposure, and get plenty of rest (or as much as you can). That keeps my skin pretty smooth and blemish-free.
Just Jiff | October 28th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
LoriD is right - sugar is an awesome (and cheap!) exfoliant. Honey also makes a great 5-minute mask - really softens up the skin and is gentle.
Jamie | October 29th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Lee & Just Jiff- I love Aveeno, too! I think a LOT of inexpensive moisturizers are good stuff.
RB- *taking notes*
LoriD & Jamie- SUGAR! What a great idea! And delicious if it accidentally gets into the mouth, unlike the apricot stuff. Not that I’d know. Ahem. *spits out apricot pit fragments*
swistle | October 29th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
After that point where chemical exfoliants are needed (I’ve just now crossed it in my mid-thirties) a cheap solution is to crush uncoated aspirin, and mix it with some honey and aloe. It’s done amazing things for my skin, and is super cheap.
Sabine | November 18th, 2008 at 1:36 pm