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| Photo: Good Housekeeping |
Every year I re-access to try to do SOMETHING better. Tweak a practice to (1) improve or (2) make life easier. What comes to mind this year is simplifying my daily skincare routine, as well as, finding cheaper, cleaner, yet effective anti-aging potions. Over time the savings can really add up! Not only do I wish to spend less money, but less time in the bathroom!
Dermatologists agree: Only two skincare products make a difference: (a) Retin-A (by prescription) or Retinol (its over the counter derivative). Both work well when used consistently; and (b) Vitamin C.
For the care of my face, I've reduced the steps to 3 twice a day: Wash. Treat. Moisturize ... and my products to 3 for the day; and 3 at night. Here is my winter 2021 skincare regime:
I. For My Morning Face Routine, I use:
1) SheaMoisture Soap - Since the shower water rinses my face so thoroughly I use this moisturizing soap from face to toe. It rinses clean and doesn't dry your skin.
2) Next apply Vitamin C Serum - In addition to ArtNaturals and Tree of Life, I'm also using up The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23%. All 3 brands are effective, so you can switch them, always buying the best priced one.
2-a) Peptide Serum - Right now I'm using up what I already own, alternating between Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum, and The Ordinary Buffet. (I can stop step #2-a once I use up these serums. They add moisture and beneficial anti-oxidants to the skin, however Vitamin C (an antioxidant) and Retinol are the only serums dermatologists say are essential. There are no reasons based on science to layer other peptides with antioxidants over Vitamin C say the skin doctors. It's money washed down the drain. So until future research changes this advice ... you can skip layering additional skin treatments on and go directly to step #3
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| Reapply SPF 15 more often than SPF 30 |
3) Olay Complete Moisture with Sunscreen SPF 15/30 - In winter I need a light daytime moisturizer and use sun protection all year round. SPF 15/30 is the anti-aging elixir here! Olay is cheap, lightweight and non-greasy. Choose the sensitive skin formula that uses minerals, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, as sunscreen. Avoid the sunscreen chemicals like avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene or ecamsule. Another good brand is CVS's Moisturizing Facial Lotion with SPF 15/30 so you can buy the cheaper one as they go on sale. But you must read the labels like a hawk as one formula of the 2 brands has the chemicals, while another formula uses the minerals as sun protection. -- yes, it's a pain!
Both are effective! 
II. For My Nightime Face Routine, I use:
1) Noxema Cleansing Cream - Discovered at 14 years old, it cleans and moisturizes my face simultaneously.
2) Next apply Retinol Serum - Excellent low cost brands include Tree of Life; ArtNaturals; and The Ordinary, with proven ingredients based on science and costing under $10.
Great beauty brands, one American, one Korean.
3) Follow with Retinol Night Moisturizing Cream - I like the feel of a moisturizing night cream to prevent dry skin especially in winter, and my non-scientist mother says I must wear one to keep those wrinkles away! (They find us while we sleep, evil things!!) Right now I alternate between Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Cream and Azure Hemp & Retinol Sleep Mask. In fact, you can use the Neutrogena Repid Winkle Repair Night Cream solo without a Retinol serum underneath it. I can't verify how much Retinol the Azure night cream has, so I do use Retinol serum underneath it to be sure. Your skin knows, so if the combo seems too strong ... adjust.
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III. My Morning Body Routine is reduced to one item: Cooking oil.
Immediately after my shower I slather coconut oil all over my skin to lock in the water from my shower. For simplicity I only buy one coconut oil that can be used for both cooking and body oil. But as it turns out, I don't cook with coconut oil often, so I'm thinking of making life even easier by switching to Extra Virgin Olive Oil as my after bath moisturizer, which is equally beneficial. Saves time, space and money!
IV. Extras I need in winter: Body lotion which I use as hand/skin cream as needed. Petroleum jelly/lip balm.
At 1st glance it may still seem like lots of products, but look again, I reduced skincare to 3 steps: Wash, treat and moisturize - with a single product under each step. Giving you a few brands of equivalent quality and price lets you buy the better deals.
We love old standbys; bargain beauty; and keeping it simple!
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