Up Close & Personal — High-Performing Products Right from the Drugstore

While I love to the skin care products available through stayclearskin.com, some of the beauty products I use are from CVS Pharmacy. Yes, you can get benefits from drugstore beauty products. I had a coupon for Garnier Ultra-Lift 2-in-1 Wrinkle Reducer and had tried a demonstrator at CVS when the product first came out and liked the feel of it on my skin . Well, I finally purchased it and use it first thing in the morning after cleansing and toning my skin. It goes on smoothly and is quickly absorbed. However, I’m in my fifties and while I have semi oily/sensitive skin, I need more moisturization than what Garnier Ultra-Lift has to offer. So I apply CVS All Day Moisture Lotion for Sensitive Skin afterwards. It’s the equivalent of Olay Complete, which I also use. The CVS version and the real thing, Olay Complete, provide the same results — perfectly balanced moisturized skin. Benefits include: SPF sunscreen, Vitamin E and Aloe, UVA and UVB protection, and light, non-greasy. Ultra-Lift helps minimize wrinkles, but even my semi-oily skin needs more moisturization.

By the way, never wash your face with bar soap. My personal favorite is Olay Foaming Face Wash for sensitive skin (mousse nettoyante pour le visage peau sensible en francais). Another one of the great drugstore beauty products. It deep cleanses without drying your skin. I usually use Witch Hazel as a toner, but use other reasonably priced toner products like CVS Skin Purifying Astringent for sensitive skin. The camphor and Eucalyptus Leaf Oil remove trapped oil, dirt and makeup at the end of the day, and smooth the surface of your skin and tighten pores after cleansing in the morning. It may take a little getting used to the camphorated scent, but your skin will reap the benefits from this most natural and refreshing feeling solution.

I’ve told you about my personal regimen for cleansing, toning and moisturizing skin when you’re on a budget. Try Olay products and your can’t go wrong. And CVS’ copycat products are just as good.