You CAN simplify your skincare routine
The best ways to exfoliate are with a rough washcloth or using a gentle facial brush. I used to buy one from The Body Shop, but find them now with at any drug store.
Chemical exfoliation products are NOT necessary. They will not do a better job than a washcloth, or even making up a simple paste out of baking soda and water. Less really can be more.
This same less-is-more philosophy also applies for moisturizers. Yes, you do get wrinkles as you age. But piling on heavy cream won’t make them go away, and may just clog up your pores. Use the lightest potion that makes your skin feel good. Olay Regenerist moisturizers have been shown to be the most effective product by Consumer Reports, and they are fairly inexpensive and widely available. They now offer a very wide range of products, including exfoliants and an SPF 15 moisturizer that is great for winter. I also like Pond’s Replenishing Moisturizer Lotion – it is super cheap and sinks in quickly.
As always, I am promoting sunscreen usage. I do realize that sunscreens have great potential to cause breakouts, and I do wish that more companies offered tester sizes of these products because of this. But you should never skip sunscreen. The higher the price of the sunscreen product, the more likely it is that samples are available. Shiseido is known for its facial sunscreen products, Neutrogena also is a leading company in this area (Healthy Defense”>, and Coppertone is developing fabulous products for protecting the face.
Look for ingredients such as zinc oxide (Coppertone Spectra”>, titanium dioxide or Mexoryl. These all guard against UVA and UVB rays. Make sure the product is oil-free.
Keep it simple – and keep with it. Once you find a routine that works for you, don’t change it unless your skin changes drastically or you move to a totally new climate zone.
By stripping down to skin-care basics, your wallet will thank you for it!
