The Minimalist Traveler's 28 Personal Care Essentials

I'm still away from home helping my elderly mother with the recovery of her fractured leg. (It explains why I'm blogging less often.) Essentially I'm living out of a suitcase! And yet when you find yourself in such circumstances, you have to continue to take good care of yourself.

In the effort, here are 12 minimalist traveler's skin and personal care products I'm using every day on my trip away from my home stash of skin and personal care toiletries:

For Skin Care:

Morning --

1) Noxema Cleansing Cream - I'm using it to wash my face and body, as well as moisturize my skin. Originally formulated by a doctor to soothe sunburns, it's cool and tingly upon use.

2) AN Artnature Vitamin C Advanced Moisture + Brightening Serum - Applying this serum to my face every morning as a multi-purpose anti-aging elixir. A vitamin C serum also gives you some protection against free radicals and the sun's harmful rays.

3) Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer For Sensitive Skin with SPF 15 - I use it every day of the year, plus as a greaseless suntan lotion in the summer.

Night, Noxema again, then --

4) Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil - Applying it to my face at night, the oil came as a 2-item kit with the cream below. More like a serum than an oil, its purpose is to boost the power of the Retinol. Probably we could survive with the cream only.

5) Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Regeneration
Cream - Applying it to my face at night on top of the serum (oil). Some consumers prefer Olay Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer since its consistency is lighter with more hyaluronic acid in the cream. I like and use both brands of anti-aging face creams and approve of Neutrogena's high potency and thickness. At times I'll add drops of water to the formula to make the cream a little thinner and sometimes not.

For Toothcare:

6) Philips Sonicare Toothbrush - It's well worth packing in the suitcase. You simply can't brush your teeth as thoroughly with a manual toothbrush. I'm happy my dentist's office advised me to buy it, as well as, told me to buy the basic model for about $40 without the extra bells and whistles. You don't need them.

7) Regular manual toothbrush - I use the sonic toothbrush twice a day, every morning and night, and a regular toothbrush for shorter cleaning sessions to clean my teeth if I eat any in-between sugary snacks.

8) Colgate Maximum Strength Whitening Sensitive Toothpaste - After years of drinking 2 cans of soda each workday at the Time, Inc consumer magazines, I now have sensitive teeth, so I've given up soda altogether and use sensitive toothpaste to try to "repair my enamel" as much as is possible. At mom's age of wear and tear of her teeth, we both use it.

9) Dental Floss - I miss my water pick, but felt I had to limit what to pack and left it at home. Frankly, I hate the necessary evil of teeth flossing!

10) Equate Anticavity Alcohol-Free Fluoride Mouthwash - Yeah, I buy the purple mouthwash, however, which one's really the best for our teeth and gums, only our dentist knows for sure. Probably adults don't benefit from the extra fluoride, who knows? The dentist!

For Body Care:

11) Crystal Body Deodrant Stick - The salt crystal seems to prevent wetness and underarm odor. I have the travel size with me and the thicker stick at home.

12) Cetaphil Body Moisturizing Cream For Very Dry Skin - I bought this one for my elderly mother's skin, but sometimes dip my hand into the jar as a hand and body cream. It has zero fragrance and is super moisturizing and non-greasy. Skin doctor recommended too. Now I prefer it to other brands.

For Hair Care

13) SheaMoisture Shampoo - Whatever formula is available at the drugstore.

14) SheaMoisture Conditioner - Ditto, whatever formula I find at the local drugstore has been terrific.

For Makeup: 

I've only used the 1st three items on the list below and only on Zoom calls. Since we still wear face masks in certain indoor places, I mostly don't wear makeup these days. Yet I brought the following along --

15) L'Oreal Revitalift Miracle Blur

16) Dermablend Quick-Fix Concealer

17) Bobbie Brown Pot Rouge For Lips and Cheeks - in Pink Raspberry #18

18) Milani Lipstick - in Dulce Caramelo #27

19) Milani Lip Gloss - in Delight Deluxe #01

20) Adrien Arpel Eye Crayon - in Forest Green

21) Sephora Brow Sculping Pencil - in Light Brown and it has a tiny brush on one end.

22) Lip Balm - Beeswax is the main ingredient.

Finally, I brought my stash of samples packets that I save for overnight trips. In a pinch, I'll find a product I need (face cream, shampoo, or conditioner) to tie me over until I can get to a Walmart, Target, or drugstore. 

Moreover, the Tool Makeup Bag contains:

23) Tweezers

24) Hair ties

25) Nail clippers

26) Nail files

27) Nail buffer

28) Mini Nail Brush

The only three tools I've used are tweezers, nail clippers, and hair ties. 

I'm functioning just fine with three small organizing makeup bags of basics. Makes me think minimalism of toiletries is all we ever really need! A less is more mindset saves us tons of time and money. Why not pare down to a simple approach both at home and away from home?

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Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Max

Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 with hydrating ingredients has a MAX formula with 20% more retinol. It also contains vitamin B3, which hydrates and brightens the skin and promotes elasticity, plus fights free radicals. If your skin isn't used to maximum strength retinol, stick with Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 in its regular strength. More retinol doesn't always mean better, you just need enough effective anti-aging ingredients -- here, retinol ... and to use the potency of retinol that is tolerated by your skin. To be effective, you must use it regularly. If too harsh, making your skin red and raw, you then stop using it.

I like the availability of a greater retinol strength in Olay, a non-prescription potion, for people who have been using the regular formula for a time and feel it's time to bump the potency up. To be sure, if mistaken their skin will indicate its need to return to the lesser strength!

As regular readers know, Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 and Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair are 2 of the drugstore brands of anti-aging night creams I fancy. Each works without emptying your wallet.

Be on the look out at T.J. Maxx for this Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair 2-pack for $16.99, a steal! Full-sizes and about half the price of one item alone at the drugstore (when not on sale). The instructions say to apply the retinol oil and follow with the retinol cream. The oil adds another 3% of retinol for double the wrinkle-fighting power (know that 2.5% is considered a good and standard amount in a non-prescription retinol formula).

If not already using a retinol skin cream potion, start slowly. You may have to apply the cream once a week, then twice a week, then increase to every other night before your skin tolerates it every night.

Choices are good for consumers, especially if they land on the shelves at T.J. Maxx. Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Max is another effective budget-friendly formula to know about. 

You are left with money in your pocket and a smile on your face ... winkles that soften or perhaps are erased.🎃🙂 

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Simplifying My Daily Skincare Routine

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Simplifying My Daily Skincare Routine

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!

OMG, look at this YouTuber's daily routine and long list of beauty elixirs! I don't intend to be unkind because if we met, I'd like the Vlogger for her generous spirit in sharing what she does based upon her research. She genuinely means well. I decided not to subscribe to her channel or link her to THE SHAVVY SHOPPER's sidebar because at the end of the day, her routine is excessive according to my own research. It adds up to washing lots of  money and time down the drain. Time one can never get back!

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

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.

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!

I keep a refillable container in my bathroom to pour cooking-turned-bath oil into it. Hey if I ever get locked in my bathroom, I'll have sustenance to keep me alive until I'm free. Just slide some eggs and bread under the door, please.😋

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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Olay's Because Of You Gift Set

Sometimes beauty companies offer their skin care lines at a "special price" in the form of a beauty gift set. At times it's a bargain for a brand you long to try. The Olay "Because of You" Gift Set retails for $159. Olay is offering 5 products for $98.99 here. As a Savvy Shopper looking for the best deal, should you buy it? 

Surprisingly my answer is no, or probably not ... unless you simply want a lovely gift set to make someone you know happy who would benefit from the introduction to good skincare. And ... you don't wish to put a gift set together yourself. However, for value you can get the Olay beauty items for lower price points at Walmart, Target and drugstores (which tend to sell them for less ... before adding their own promotions). Always compare prices to make sure you aren't paying more for beauty products on a retailer's own website. Too often Olay's skincare lotions, creams and treatments are higher when purchased directly on the Olay website.

A 2nd reason not to buy Olay's Because Of You Gift Set is: You are paying for multiple products you may not want or use. So always examine what's in a retailer's collection: In the above gift set, there are 2 face creams, but do you need both? Probably not as they do much the same things -- moisturize the skin on your face -- with one of them targeted to fight aging. So if you happen to be younger and wrinkle-free, you should buy the red jar (Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, Fragrance-Free, 1.7 oz); and as you age you can switch to the purple formula (Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer​, 1.7 oz) to help treat those developing lines and wrinkles.🙁←me. 

What's more, many people can use one cream for their face and under their eyes. Therefore only if your under-eye skin is sensitive, do you need to spend another $25 for a separate eye cream.

The other 2 products in the kit are bonuses. The Olay Shine Control Sun SPF 35, 1.3 oz offers excellent sun protection to prevent aging, but I would think about buying it solo on sale to try it; and the Overnight Brightening Gel Mask, 1.7 oz is great for pampering and brightening the skin if you, in fact, need it.

So the verdict is: The set contains top-notch skincare; nonetheless you get a better deal by buying only the products you need elsewhere for less than $100. While you're not being ripped off, the 5  jars of products (at $20 each) are not much of a reduction. The set is not a steal!

Sorry Olay ... know that I still love you!


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Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Collection

Olay makes anti-aging skincare as good as the luxe brands for less. In fact, with the advanced anti-aging ingredients contained in elixirs from The Ordinary, as well as, other drugstore brands, including L'Orèal and Neutrogena, there is no real need to spend big bucks elsewhere. Not only do drugstore brands start at lower price points, they also go on sale for additional savings!

The Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Collection contains the bonafide ingredients that science says work. The collection hydrates, brightens, evens out skin tone, minimizes pores and smooths the appearance of fine lines and winkles by using a combination of retinol, retinue propionate and vitamin B3. The formula is created to deeply penetrate the skin and encourage quicker skin cell turnover with less irritation.

Do we need more retinol youth lotions and potions on the beauty market? Yes ... yes, we do! Why? Because ... consumers win: More product, competition, selection and savings!

The Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Collection consists of 3 items:

1) Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Moisturizer - Contains retinol, vitamin B3 (a hydrator) and amino peptides. Hydrates the top layer of skin. Apply after serum.

2) Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Serum - Has retinol, vitamin B3 and amino peptides. Serums have smaller molecules and the ability to penetrate deeper layers of skin, the reason we use them. Apply before a moisturizing cream.

3) Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Eye Cream - Contains retinol, vitamin B3 and amino peptides for the sensitive skin around the eyes.

Even at drugstore prices, the cost of skincare adds up. For that reason I recommend buying the serum and moisturizer, but the eye cream only if you have sensitive skin under your eyes requiring a separate cream. The Night Moisturizer is unscented, so many people tolerate it to treat and moisturize their entire face, including the more delicate skin around their eyes.

Bring it on Olay, the more anti-aging skincare the better!

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Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Cream Face Moisturizer

Since I'm running low on Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream (the bottom red jar) which I like to dab on top of face serum right before bed, I went to buy another jar. However at Bed, Bath And Beyond, I noticed Olay's newest launch Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Cream Face Moisturizer (the white jar above) and instead bought it to try. The words, "advanced anti-aging night recovery cream" was all the hook it took. This youth-lotion-potion was coming home with me! 

The Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Cream Face Moisturizer is sold as a super hydrating formula containing amino-peptides to penetrate deeper layers of the skin. Reportedly, it has two functions: 1) encourages faster skin cell turnover; and 2) pumps up the skin with moisture to soften lines and winkles for a "velvety feel."

The face cream is non-greasy and absorbs easily into the skin. I do like it, but don't notice a real difference from the older moisturizer, Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream. They are both hydrating, the red jar a tad more. The white jar night cream is marketed for older skin and has one benefit not claimed by the red jar face cream -- namely it tightens the skin. IMHO it's a microscopic difference, not really noticeable. I probably like the red jar for hydration, just a hair more than the white jar. So in winter, I'd buy the red jar. If you, too, end up liking both fairly equally, now you have another choice and can buy the one that goes on sale.

Here at THE SAVVY SHOPPER, we embrace more consumer options in order to save when and where we can!❤️

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Revamping Your Skincare Routine For Less

For anti-aging potions to work, they must contain the right ingredients including: 

1) Antioxidants - Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10, green tea.

2) Glycolic acid - a/k/a hydroxyacetic acid

3) Peptides

4) Retinols (over the counter) - or retinoids (prescription strength)

Plus they must be used regularly. Well, it just got simpler because nowadays anti-aging elixirs are available in a drugstore aisle. Containing the same ingredients as their pricey upscale cousins, they really work, and you can afford to use them every day. 

Here are 4 top performers from 4 well-known beauty brands for less:

1) Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Concentrate (above↑) -Infused with advanced amino-peptide complex II to speed up skin cell turnover, and 5% niacinamide to brighten your complexion. Smooths lines and sofens the appearance of wrinkles. Pair it with a Regenerist moisturizer for maximum skin hydration.

2) L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Eye Renewal - Hydrates, firms and smooths crows feet. Reduces dark circles and gets rid of under eye bags and crepey lids.

3) Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Accelerated Hyaluronic Acid Retinol Night Cream - Contains fast acting rentinol SA and hyaluronic acid to treat wrinkles and erase the appearance of lines while you sleep.

4) No7 Restore & Renew Face And Neck Multi Action Serum - Lifts and tightens a crepey and sagging neck. Contains dimethicone, glycerin, butylene glycol, aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, Isononyl isononanoate, gluconolactone, dimethicone crosspolymer, phenoxyethanol, 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid and pentylene glycol.

My neck will have to sag because I stop at my face; however, I'm including an effective neck serum since some people may worry about an aging neck. Frankly what I can't see, I don't treat as I long to get out of my bathroom.

What's terrific about finding anti-aging beauty products at the local drugstore is, you can take already well-prices items, wait for a sale then apply your reward points to get a steal! Rarely must you break the bank!


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