Help Me, Girlie LJ Hivemind!

[callistotoni]

Looking for inexpensive good facial care ideas:

I ran out of the last of my Clinque facial moisturizer this morning. I ran out of toner a few days ago. I need something to replace these (I am 50 and vain, after all ;-) ) but I am extremely economically challenged at the moment. Add to the mix is that I have sensitive skin, which has translated into skin irritation when I've tried to use regular body moistureizer on my face. :-( So, do any of you out there have some ideas of using inexpensive ingrediants and making your own toner/mositurizer? Do you know of any good websites that talk about this topic? Given the state of things, making stuff from ingrediants on hand would be preferred, but I'm also open to suggestions for inexpensive commercial products that you've had good experiance(s) with.

Thanks in advance!

Comments

[trystbat.livejournal.com]

The DIY stuff I've done has been for less sensitive needs -- deep-cleaning & acne, as I have oily skin. This page has some tips for masks that are good once-a-week treatments you can make from kitchen goods.

I think those recipes are all from this site, which if you scroll thru may have something along the lines of a moisturizer. Of course, you'll have to do some testing to see what works. Might want to dilute recipes as I find they can be rather strong; good for oily skin, less so for sensitive.

[joycebre.livejournal.com]

I like Olay for an inexpensive moisturizer. I think they have a sensitive skin one.
Witch hazel makes a good toner, but I don't know if you can get it at the drugstore any more. If you can get it, you can dilute it with distilled water.
When I get a chance, I'll check my soapmaking books - they might have a moisturizer recipe to try.

[baroness-eilis.livejournal.com]

I agree with the recommendation for Olay -- I use the sensitive, non-fragranced form and it has SPF 15 as a bonus. If you get it at Target/Walmart, it's downright cheap. This is the basic Oil of Olay stuff, not their pricier "regenerist" and other lines.

You can still get witch hazel, but you may not need a toner unless your skin is super-oily...

[freewaydiva.livejournal.com]

Add another one to the chorus for OofO. And eye cream is worth the investment - it lasts AGES, for all that it seems like price gouging at the register.

I've also heard that saving the water from rinsing rice is a great toner, but I haven't tried it.

[helblonde.livejournal.com]

I have a few Lancome samples of eyecream, etc. that are just sitting in a drawer. I don't know how friendly they are to sensitive skin, but you're welcome to have them.

[aastg.livejournal.com]

Yet another voice for Oil of Olay. I've been using Regenerist, but I used the regular stuff for years.

[tudorlady.livejournal.com]

If no one has suggested this yet, witch hazel is a *wonderful* toner. Very inexpensive and available in any drugstore. I also recommend any of the Neutrogena moisturizers - good for sensitive skin. Let us know if it works!

[bonacorsi.livejournal.com]

Something that sounds weird but works is making a scrub from dried milk (just add a little water and work it into a paste. Wipe on, wipe off. It has both vitamin A and D that is often added to those creams. Just be sure to rinse it all off.

Works as a toner and cleaner, and is dirt cheap.

[kahnegabs.livejournal.com]

I think I've been well serve by Olay and Neutrogena for the past 50+ years. Most people don't get my true age, so it must be doing OK for me.

[ngelinadb.livejournal.com]

second the witch hazel, and I love Nivea, which is pretty inexpensive.

[thelbk.livejournal.com]

My skin hates most skin care products (yes, that's why I have a red face all the time). Can't use most soaps either. But I've found that simple stuff from the kitchen does wonders.

Plain Yogurt face masks. Seriously, it's great.

Olive oil; while your skin is still wet just a bit on wet hands and smooth it over. It's an ancient beauty secret! and it's in your kitchen. I swear, it's good stuff (but no sunscreen protection, sorry)

[d-salie.livejournal.com]

Add one more for OofO, been using it for years.

[wufmew.livejournal.com]

my gran used OofO and had great skin to 98, that's why I use it, I use the sensitive because it is helps a bit with my rosacea. I also use witch hazel Dickenson's of course just ask aimeric he's been to the factory.

[joycebre.livejournal.com]

I looked up a few recipes, but I haven't found they're all that much cheaper. (but I haven't looked at the price of OofO lately). You can mix almond oil with cornstarch and beeswax and add a little distilled water to make a nice moisturizer. Jojoba oil is also nice, because it's similar to skin oils. But you have to make small batches, or buy benzoin or other keeper/fixatives.
Yogurt/skim milk things are great because the lactic acid is good for your skin, and I've never found a better scrub than honey & almonds. (but that's expensive).
Allure magazine often does readers choice/best product awards, and I think I might have saved the last one - they always do one high end product and one drugstore product. If I still have it, I'll bring it to crown. If I don't, I think it's in this month's issue, so you can read it at the grocery store. :-)