Recommendations for good skin care cheap?

[Luv2BeFrugal]

I'm trying to figure out what would be a good skin care line for me...

I've tried "all natural" stuff and it doesn't seem to do very well. I'm using Neutrogena now. It's all right, but isn't "wow-ing" me by any stretch of the imagination.

I have a normal-to-oily t-zone and normal-to-dry cheeks. I have breakouts on my jawline and big pores on my nose.

My big "worry" is I'm getting lines under my eyes.

I don't want to spend a fortune...and I'd like *some* results for my efforts.

I've tried expensive lines (Estee Lauder, Clinique)...they don't seem to work/feel any different than the off the shelf stuff form Walmart.

Help!! I have no clue where to turn next!!!

[slowtypinwoman]

You didn't say your age so I'll tell what I use. I'm using a dove bar I got as a freebie.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Dove-Cool-Moisture-Cucumber-Green/dp/B000NOFZI0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=beauty&qid=1279929415&sr=8-2"]Amazon.com: Dove Cool Moisture Bar Soap, Cucumber and Green Tea…@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/313fv47HSwL.@@AMEPARAM@@313fv47HSwL[/ame]

I think it was one of the cucmber and something mixes. I like that it makes my skin very soft. I have a problem with adult acne so I was using Oil of Olay daily washes. They were somewhere around $5-8 but I cut them into quarters and thought they lathered up fine. I am getting slight lines around my eyes but still pass for mid 30s. I don't think I'm vein but I'm doing what I can(frugally) to slow the aging process.
Hope that gives you a starting point.

[PrairieRose]

At present I'm using some Mary Kay that I bought from a member here as she was getting out of selling it. I had been using equate (walmart brand) eye cream and honestly can't tell much difference between it and the (normally) higher priced Mary Kay stuff. I'm using MK facial wash as well and it's good, but I'm not sure I'd ever pay the higher price for it. I got a very good deal though and am happy with it now. For my money, unless I came across another 'deal' I'd probably just use Dove or Caress on to wash with and an Equate brand moisturizer and eye cream.

[EmilyD]

I also use Oil of Olay daily washes and have always been happy with the results. I tried cutting them in half but didn't feel it was worth what I was saving to do it.

I also use Walmart Equate brand of wash, astringent, and both eye and regular moisturizer.. I am in my mid-fifties and am often thought to be at least 10 years younger.

The most important part of any regimen I think is consistancy.

I sold Mary Kay for a while and used the facial products and didn't see any real difference except the price.

[Luv2BeFrugal]

Sorry I didn't think to put age... I'm 29...will be 30 in 3 months. EEK!!

I didn't have any "lines" problems until about a year ago? I've noticed a big difference since then. (And I DON'T like it!!). Been stressed out pretty bad.

Other than the lines under my eyes (and the one line on my forehead that I'm sure only I see...but it's there!) my skin looks pretty young.

Knowing me (Lil' Miss Obsessive-Compulsive) I'm just paranoid about the "next chapter" of life being right around the corner.

At the same time I want to make sure I take proper care of my skin...the extreme cold, wind, and dryness of Alaska has a way of wreaking havoc with your skin!

I'm tired of wasting $$ on different products only to find out they're no different than anything else I've tried.

Has anyone had any luck with St. Ives?

[babetteq]

I love St Ives. That's what I use - moisturizer and exfoliant and mudmasks. I've spent years up north (I used to be able to see alaska from the beach). The best thing I did for my skin is to drink a lot of water and keep a kettle on the stove, or a pot of water on the wood stove. That keeps the air from being too dry. 2ndly, exfoliate 3x a week. All the products in the world won't replace those two things imho.
good luck

[Amanda W]

I use Cetaphil cleanser and facial moisturizer, and I really like them both. I haven't found an eye cream that I can use. Every single one I've tried makes my eyes all red and irritated and they burn like crazy.

[staceyy]

I am 55 and have no lines or wrinkles the best thing I've done was to read Dr. NV Perricone's books and follow his regimen along with his products. His books show dramatic before and after photos. A lot of his advice is found on his website www.nvperricone.com. Oprah had a show on anti-aging and showed a woman who followed Dr Perricone's advice for 30 days. The results were as dramatic as the woman who paid to have a facelift. He believes in taking vitamins, drinking a lot of water, eating a lot of salmon, cantaloupe and bright colored fruits and vegetables. His alpha lipoic acid and DMAE facial lotions are excellent but expensive. You'll see immediate dramatic results. I buy his products on Ebay to lessen the cost. I am always being complemented on my skin. I also like Susan Lucci's micordermabrasion system. I use this along with Dr Perricone's system.

[AmyMCGS]

I use the Ponds moist towlettes every night to remove make-up, and I've been happy to see that since I started using those, I"ve stopped breaking out. I think I may try some more of their skin products when I run out of my current supply.

I use Olay everything else... daily facial pads, moisturizer, etc. I also use Avon moisturizer sometimes and like it just as well.

I've used the St Ives apricot wash before and love the scent, and my skin feels very clean afterwards. It doesn't help with breakouts for me, though.

[tbs727]

I have the same problem, the oily T-zone, and acne between my eyebrows and on my chin. I mentioned my frusterations to my mom when we were in wal-mart a couple of weeks ago. She told me that she buys the Walmart brand of St. Ives medicated apricot scrub (about $1.80), and Vaseline Intensive Care Renewal age redefining body lotion (about $2.90 for 6.8 oz). The lotion does something to keep the skin on your face renewing itself. The scrub helps to get the old skin off. It has made a tremendous change in my skin. I am only 26 but I have spend WAY too much time in the sun and my skin was really starting to show it. I feel like my skin actually reflects my age now. Good luck finding something that works for you.

[lottaLove]

I think one of the most important things you can do is wear sunscreen. Even on a cloudy day, the sun's rays damage your skin.
I use Oil of Olay's Daily Defense (SPF 15) in the morning, and if my skin feels really dry at night, I use Clinique's dramatically different moisturizing lotion (it was $15.00, but a tube has lasted me 2 years now, and there's still some left). I wash my face with either Clinique bar soap or Dove, depending what I have on hand. I use Pure Zone toner to remove any soap residue or excess makeup, plus it helps unclog pores. To exfoliate 2x per week, I use St. Ives Apricot scrub.
I think you sort of have to try different combinations of products until you fall into a groove that works for you. Good luck!

[EmilyD]

I have used several of the St. Ives products. I am allergic to most of them.
They smell good but are pretty strong.

[Luv2BeFrugal]

For sure on the SPF!! Even up here in snow-country! Lots of reflection off the snow...even in the short daylight time...

I think I'm gonna give the Equate brand stuff a try next go-round. I'd like to find something with alpha lipoic acid...guess that's supposed to be good...?? Anyone know about that stuff??

I'm thinking the "mix-and-match" suggestion will be a good one for me. Especially since I make my own toner...

Thanks for all the input!!

[staceyy]

Alpha lipoic acid is the best thing I've ever used on my face. I can't say enough good things about it. You can buy the powder on Ebay if you'd like, and just add it to a facial lotion such as Lac-Hydrin Five with alpha hydroxy. I buy the lotion from drugstore.com.

[Mumzy]

I'm thinking the "mix-and-match" suggestion will be a good one for me. Especially since I make my own toner...

Hey how do you make your own toner! Because dd loves Sea Breeze. TIA