Supergoop Dupe: Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40

Supergoop, featured here on THE SAVVY SHOPPER is the legendary sunscreen known for its ultra-effective sun-shielding ingredients and hailed for its oil-free non-greasy, invisible application. Although it isn't chemical-free, dermatologists universally love and recommend it. Selling for $36 for a 1.7-ounce tube -- cheap it isn't, which matters when you should use sun protection generously every day of the year.

Universally dermatologists are also loving and praising Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 as an excellent dupe costing much less at $9 for 1.7 ounces. Both sunscreens pass the invisibility test. Both are SPF 40. Both are water-resistant for up to 40 minutes. There is a slight texture difference -- Supergoop is more matt, yet perhaps not significantly so to pay the difference. Trader Joe's dupe is creamier, a tad heavier which some people in side-by-side face comparisons like -- therefore it boils down to personal preferences and what you want to pay.

A few YouTube dermatologists describe Trader Joe's dupe as shockingly similar and the best dupe to the original product they've ever tried. The consensus is to run to Trader Joe's before it sells out.

A legitimate question to ask is why do skin doctors approve of the chemical ingredient sunscreens? Because chemical sunscreens tend to be lighter, silkier, and disappear into the skin better than mineral-based sunscreens. They reason the best sunscreen is the one people will use daily because they like its lightness. 

Conclusion: Save, don't splurge. Buy Trader Joe's dupe for this everyday sunscreen essential.

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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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Best Drugstore Anti-Aging Retinols

Let's do a roundup of the 5 best non-prescription anti-aging skin care products on the market. With Ulta and Sephora temporarily closed head to the aisles of your local drugstore. These are the brands recommended by doctors and beauty experts alike time and again. The 1st 4 choices are the best value. The last one is pricey -- perhaps to be saved up for -- yet has very powerful retinol, so I'm putting it on your radar. When T. J. Maxx reopens after the pandemic, you may find it there.

1) Neutrogena tops the list of countless dermatologists and beauty editors as the best anti-aging drugstore retinol available. You can't beat the price for quality retinol. If starting with one product, I'd go for the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum, the 4th in the image above. If you like it, add its night cream (the 1st item) to layer on top of the serum. Containing a retinol complex, glucose, and hyaluronic acid, the serum brightens your complexion and attacks stubborn lines and deep wrinkles by promoting skin turnover and the production of new collagen.

    

2) Revitalift Triple Power Concentrated Serum - If you only buy one anti-aging beauty product, it should always be serum, which has tiny molecules to penetrate deeper layers of skin. Add a moisturizer on top of the serum if your skin feels dry. L'Oreal is another solid beauty brand with great retinol power.

3) Olay Retinol 24 - Like all the brands featured here, Olay sells serum, moisturizer and eye serum. You only need the eye serum if the delicate skin under your eyes is so sensitive it can't tolerate the regular serum or moisturizer. If you can use the same serum and cream for your face and eye area, save your money! No need to buy extra. Olay has an arsenal of retinols, B3, and peptides to treat fine lines and wrinkles.

4) RoC is another reliable brand making drugstore anti-aging skin potions containing retinol with antioxidants and peptides -- ingredients backed by science known to work. Start with RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Anti-Aging Facial Serum and add what you wish. Personally, I buy face serum and a moisturizer as essentials. I use other brands of products with sunscreen, but some customers prefer to buy all their products from the same retailer. It's a safe way of knowing one item's ingredients won't cancel out another.

5) SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0 - Too strong for beginners, this retinol is for veterans who have used retinol for a while. A night cream that treats the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration, retinol 1.0 is the maximum strength. Its main ingredients include: Ceramides, shea butter, herbal extracts, retinol, essential oils, alpha hydroxy acids, antioxidants, and dimethicone.

So you have choice galore of retinol beauty products sold at the drugstore. Great quality without a prescription for less. Also different skin types have different needs. I will attach some links below to help you figure out what you want your skin products to address. Feel free to explore the beauty posts on the blog for even more information.


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More Advent Beauty Calanders 2019

Macy's 25 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar

As promised on Tuesday, I'm featuring a few more Advent Beauty Calendars 2019 which have a winning combination of quality products at a good value. This year I omitted advent  calendars priced over $200, as well as, those offering sample sizes instead of  generous (if not full sizes). Samples should be given to customers for free! I also left out the brands: No 7 and Sleek, because they are mostly sold out already and therefore too hard to find! Here are several attractive Advent Calendars still availabe to buy:

1) Macy's 25 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar (see above ↑)

Price: $129

What's inside:

• Ahava Mineral Hand Cream, 40 ml
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Full Size Liquid Lipstick - Heathers, 3.25 ml
• Borghese Crema Saponetta Cleansing Creme, 50 ml
• Boscia Matcha Mask Super-Antioxidant Mask, 13 ml
• Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet, 15 ml
• Clinique New Moisture Surge Eye Concentrate, 5 ml
• Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant, 30 ml
• dr. brandt Micodermabrasion Exfoliator, 7.4 ml
• Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, 15 ml
• Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair, 7 ml
• Girlactik Full Size Precision Eyeliner, 1.2 ml
• IT Cosmetics Confidence In A Gel Lotion, 5 ml
• Mario Badescu Rose Facial Spray, 59 ml
• NYX Professional Makeup Worth The Hype Mascara, 5.25 ml
• Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask, 15 ml
• Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Serum, 5 ml
• philosophy Microdelivery Face Wash, 30 ml
• Pure Aura Travel Size 24K Gold Peel-Off Mask, 30 ml
• RITUALS Shower Foam - Dao, 50 ml
• Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate, 10 ml
• StriVectin SD Advanced Intensive Concentrate, 10 ml
• Sunday Riley Auto Correct Depuffing Cream, 3 ml
• TONYMOLY Peach Punch Foam Cleanser, 10 ml
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, 2 ml
• $15 Gift Card
• Created for Macy's

***********************************************************************

2) Rituals Advent Calendar

Price: $74.50 

What's inside:

• spoon/spatula
• The Ritual of Namaste Hydrating Ampoule 2ml, 
• Wonder Mask 10g 
• The Ritual of Sakura Shower Scrub 70ml
• The Ritual of Samurai Foaming Shower Gel Sport 50ml
• The Ritual of Namasté Velvety Smooth Cleansing Foam 30ml
• Nail Treat for gift set
• The Ritual of Ayurveda Foaming Shower Gel 50ml
• Advent Mini Candle Private Collection - Oriental Vetiver
• Advent Mini Candle Private Collection - Sacred Saffron
• Advent Mini Candle Private Collection - Savage Garden
• Advent Mini Candle Private Collection - Precious Amber
• Amsterdam Collection Body Mist 20ml
• Amsterdam Collection Hand Wash 110ml
• The Ritual of Namasté Pure Face Oil 5ml
• The Ritual of Samurai Ice Shower 70ml
• The Ritual of Dao Night Balm
• The Ritual of Hammam Black Soap 70ml
• Scrub Glove
• The Ritual of Ayurveda Dry Oil VATA 30ml
• The Ritual of Happy Buddha Body Cream 70ml
• Miracle Wipes - Travel

********************************************************************************

3) Lookfantastic Advent Calandar

Price - £79/$99 in USA

What's inside

• Morphe 9A Palette (9 pan)
• Living Proof Perfect Hair Day (PhD) 5-in-1 Styling Treatment 30ml
• Caudalie Vinopure Clear Skin Purifying Toner 50ml
• Luxie 121 & 141 (2 brushes)
• Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream 30ml
• Illamasqua Nude Collection Liner – Raw
• Rituals The Ritual of Ayurveda Dry Oil 50ml
• Philip Kingsley Elasticizer 40ml
• OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel 35ml
• First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads 20
• Avant Skincare Moisture Surge Overnight Treatment 50ml
• Prai Throat & Decolletage Crème (15ml)
• Lord & Berry Black Eye Liner
• Mellow Cosmetics Liquid Lip Paint – Tehran
• Rodial Dragon’s Blood Lip Mask (1 mask)
• Molton Brown Fiery Pink Pepper Bath and Shower Gel 100ml
• Emma Hardie Moisture Boost Vit + C Cream 20ml
• Neal’s Yard Remedies Wild Rose Hand Cream 50ml
• Bio Effect EGF Serum 5ml
• Eyeko Lash Alert Mascara 4ml
• Delilah Cosmetics Eye Brow Pencil
• Bubble T Limited Edition Bath Bomb
• Filorga Meso-Mask 15ml
• Sleek MakeUP Highlighting Palette – Solstice 9g
• Omorovicza Queen Of Hungary Mist Limited Edition 30ml

****************************************************************************************

4) Yves Rocher France Advent Beauty Calendar

Price: $59

What's inside:

•  Eau de Parfum Sel Azur - 1,2ml / 0.04 fl. oz.
• • Eau de Parfum Plein Soleil - 1,2ml / 0.04 fl. oz.
• • 2 in 1 Jumbo Eye Pencil : eyeshadow and liner - 1,7g / Net wt. 0.06 oz.
• • Botanical Scrub Body - 30ml / 1 fl. oz.
• • Mango Coriander Bath and Shower Gel - 50ml / 1.6 fl. oz.
• • Botanical Colour Nail Polish 41. Garance - 5 ml / 0.16 fl. oz.
• • Botanical Colour Nail Polish 103. Camélia Nacré - 5 ml / 0.16 fl. oz.
• • Nail Polishing Block - 4 sides
• • At The Heart Of Pine Trees Bath and Shower gel - 50ml / 1.6 fl. oz.
• • Botanical Colour Nail Polish 43 Cerise Noire - 5 ml / 0.16 fl. oz.
• • At The Heart Of Pine Trees Body Lotion - 50ml / 1.6 fl. oz.
• • Eyebrow Mascara 02. Châtain - 2,5 ml / 0.08 fl. oz.
• • First Snowflakes Hand Cream - 30 ml / 1 . fl. oz.
• • Hammam Argan Rose Bath and Shower Gel - 50ml / 1.6 fl. oz.
• • Nourishing Cream Shampoo - 50ml / 1.6 fl. oz.
• • 2 in 1 Cleansing Micellar Water - 50ml / 1.6 fl. oz.
• • 2 in 1 Soothing Cleansing Micellar Water - 50ml / 1.6 fl. oz.
• • Ultra-Rich Shower Cream - 30 ml / 1 . fl. oz.
• • SOS Resistant Base Coat for nail polish - 5 ml / 0.16 fl. oz.
• • First Snowflakes Bath and Shower Gel - 50ml / 1.6 fl. oz.
• • 2 in 1 Nourishing Cream Hair Mask - 30ml / 1 fl. oz.
• • Face Care 48h Non-Stop Moisturizing Gel Cream - 7ml / 0.23 fl. oz.
• • Face Care Soothing Moisturizing Cream - 7ml / 0.23 fl. oz
• • Grand Rouge Elixir Matte Lipstick Rose blush 200 - 3.7g - Net wt 0.13 oz.

*************************************************************************************

5) L’Occitane Advent Calendar

Price: $64

What's inside:

• Immortelle Essential Water 1 fl.oz.
• Almond Milk Concentrate Net Wt. 0.7 oz.
• Immortelle Divine Foaming Cleansing Cream 0.4 fl.oz.
• Shea Butter Foot Cream Net Wt. 0.3 oz.
• Immortelle Precious Cream Net Wt. 0.17 oz.
• Shea Butter Comforting Eye Patches Net Wt. 0.05 oz.
• Shea Butter Intensive Hand Balm Net Wt. 0.35 oz.
• Shea Butter Milk Extra-Gentle Soap Net Wt. 0.8 oz.
• Almond Shower Oil 1.18 fl.oz.
• Shea Light Comforting Cream Net Wt. 0.17 oz.
• Almond Delicious Hands Net Wt. 0.3 oz.
• 5 Essential Oils Conditioner 1.1 fl.oz.
• Aqua Réotier Ultra Thirst-Quenching Cream Net Wt. 0.17 oz.
• Shea Body Shower Oil 1.1 fl.oz.
• Almond Delicious Soap Net Wt. 1.7 oz.
• Immortelle Divine Cream Net Wt. 0.14 oz.
• Shea Butter Hand Cream Net Wt. 0.34 oz.
• Verbena Eau de Toilette 0.33 fl.oz.
• Rose Hand Cream Net Wt. 0.34 oz.
• 5 Essential Oils Shampoo 1.18 fl.oz.
• Cherry Blossom Hand Cream Net Wt. 0.35 oz.
• Immortelle Overnight Reset Oil-in-Serum 0.16 fl.oz.
• Shea Butter Ultra Rich Lip Balm Net Wt. 0.13 oz.
• Herbae Eau de Parfum 0.16 fl.oz.

Rich, festive, coveted, high quality and a good value: Advent Calendars you'll be delighted to give and use. Plus, you'll have a few bucks left in your wallet to buy other Christmas gifts!


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Florence by Mills Beauty From Millie Bobby Brown

Photo: getthegloss

Florence by Mills is a new line of skin care and makeup from generation Z (i.e., 15 year old actress) Millie Bobby Brown. The beauty products contain natural ingredients infused with vitamins and botanicas that are not tested on animals. They are targeted for teenagers, but all ages and skin types can use them. 

Sold at Boots in the UK and Ulta in the US at such affordable price points with good clean ingredients, they are worth putting on your radar! 

Although I always take note for whom products are formulated, when anyone can benefit ... use the brand. Sometimes it's only marketing. At other times, it simply means the beauty line is more gentle. For example, products created for young skin won't have heavy perfume. This brand is phthalate free, paraben free, sulfate free, artificial scent free; and it is good for universal skin!

What's more, I lean towards a fresh, natural look. I want to look like myself ... but my, enhanced, best self! You?

The light face tints, under eye concealers, cream blushes and lip glosses are worth a browse.

It's fantastic to have additional choices, budget-friendly prices and simple yet attractive packaging ... all bringing us back to what is truly important. What's inside: Products that work, sans wasteful packaging, or inflated costs to pay for fake, so called exclusive "luxuries."  The fact that Florence by Mills is sold at Boots and Ulta, retailers who run a ton of sales, means trying them for less is a must.

The future's Generation Z looks bright, no? Not to mention fresh and attractive!


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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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Aveda Wellness Beauty

Photo: Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort

For years I've loved Aveda's line of wellness skin and hair care, as well as, its cosmetics. The natural hues flatter a broad range of  complexions. The company was founded in 1978 by Horst Rechelbacher on the principles of Ayurveda, the Hindu holistic system of medicine and surgery in India. Now owned by Estee Lauder, it is still in partnership with a Brazilian community collective of organic babassu for use in its soaps. Pure flower and plant essences go into all of Aveda's skin and hair elixirs and makeup. The company is super eco-friendly and cruelty free.

Moreover, Aveda employees are trained in science, botany, skin and hair care, along with innovative techniques to help customers select products suited for their individual needs. They attend the Avenda Institute (their school) before working in the shops. In stores they take the time to teach you about holistic skin and hair care and show you how to use their products.

It would be ideal to switch over to the entire Aveda beauty line. However, the costs for pure botanical ingredients based on wellness principles can really add up. So start slow and select carefully. When I can't afford a whole line, I might buy a face serum, or a very pretty, long lasting blush. You might value a frizz tamer for you hair. Worth the splurge considering the quality!

Compared to many other retailers of organic ingredients, Aveda is more affordable. Fortunately, Aveda also runs promotions, putting the beauty goods in the you-can-budget-for-it category, not the only-an-heiress category.

At $26, the limited edition hand relief® moisturizing cream with rosemary and peppermint (it smells clean and invigorationg!) keeps hands and cuticles smooth in a dry climate. In keeping with Aveda's mission, $4 of each purchase supports cruelty-free research through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. So along with a splurge, consumers are supporting a good cause, which is money well spent!



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