Cost Effective Products to Fight Dry and Dehydrated Skin
One of those is dry skin.
Whether it's from your medicine or the inflammation your body is in, your skin dries out. Most people would probably think that this is just a sign of growing older, but I'm still in my 30's. My skin should not be this dry and tight.
If you are unsure if you have dry or dehydrated skin, check out this post here.
I definitely do. Last week I talked about my personal skincare routine. This week I want to go over some products I found ranging from $ up to $$$.
If you are like me, you are probably on a budget. I am particularly aware of my finances as my chronic illness is classified as a rare disease and most of the things I need to treat** my illness...insurance does not cover. 80% of the things I need to function are out of pocket.
Cost Effective Products to Fight Dry and Dehydrated Skin
So back in October when I ventured into the arena of trying to fix my skin, I went to Ulta. While my experience was good and informative, I did get bamboozled into buying over a $100 of Clinique products.
Did they work? Hell yes.
Were they more than I wanted to pay to fix my inflamed skin? Oh Hell yes!
So back in March after seeing my chiropractor I stopped at my local Ulta on the way home. I politely refused help from anyone that approached because I was a woman on a mission.
Two hours of power squats later (with my L5 shifting in and out of place, bending over is impossible) I had about a 100 photos of different products to sort through, research, and look at the cost per ounce...plus a set of very sore quads!
The main purpose of this post is to find a good product that will hopefully fit into your budget. Second, if you are a chronic pain or illness warrior you may not have the time or ability to do this research. I have done it for you.
Don't Let Your Pain Dictate Your Finances
I know how it feels to walk into a store just fine and then have your nerve pain turn on halfway through the shopping trip. You no longer care about what costs what, you just grab and go, so you can get home. I'm hoping with the products listed here you can avoid the trap of doing the easiest (and sometimes expensive) decision instead of the most cost-effective decision.
If you choose to purchase something through my affiliate links, I receive a small percentage of the sale price at no extra expense to you. Thanks for your support of a chronic pain warrior!
'Normal' Skin Products Won't Help You
Facewash
Best Bang for Your Buck
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser $9.99 for 12 oz = $0.83 an ounce
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser $14.99 for 12 oz = $1.25 an ounce
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel $8.99 for 6.7 oz = $1.34 an ounce
Burts Bees Intense Hydration Cream Cleanser $9.99 for 6 oz = $1.67 an ounce
It Costs How Much?!?!
Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Cleansing Oil $34 for 4 oz = $8.50 an ounce
Love Your Bare Face Hydrating Cleansing Oil $28 for 3.5 oz = $8.00 an ounce
Middle of the Road
Botanics Hydration Burst Dual Action Cleanser $8.99 for 4.2 oz = $2.25 an ounce
Ulta Beauty Sinksoak Foaming Cleanser $12 for 4 oz = $3.00 an ounce
It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser Skin Transforming Hydrating Cleansing Serum $28 for 5 oz = $5.60 an ounce
Murad Age Reform Refreshing Cleanser $39 for 6.75 oz = $5.78 an ounce
I'm currently using CeraVe's Hydrating Cleanser so I feel good about my choice in facewash. It's cost effective and it works. I do like knowing that I have other options that are equally cost-effective.
Exfoliant
Best Bang for Your Buck
Clinique Clarifying Lotion No. 1 Very Dry to Dry Skin $24.50 for 13.5 oz = $1.81 an ounce
Mario Badescu Keratoplast Cleansing Lotion $15.00 for 8.0 oz = $1.88 an ounce
It Costs How Much?!?!
Shisedio Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Balancing Softener $45 for 5.0 oz = $9.00 an ounce
Middle of the Road
Andalou Naturals Blossom + Leaf Refresh Toning $12.99 for 6.0 oz = $2.17 an ounce
LANCÔME Tonique Radiance Clarifying Exfoliating Toner $26.00 for 6.8 oz = $3.82 an ounce
I'm actually thrilled. I've been using the Clinique Clarifying Lotion No. 1 and it actually ended up the best buy!
Now, exfoliating scrubs are cheaper and easier to find, but remember...using a scrub on dry and dehydrated skin is like throwing gasoline on hot coals.
Hydrating Serum
Best Bang for Your Buck
Ulta Beauty Dewdrench Replenishing Essence $19.50 for 1.7 oz = $11.47 an ounce
OLAY Regenerist Regenerating Serum $22.99 for 1.7 oz = $13.52 an ounce
Botanics Hydration Burst Light Serum $15.99 for 1 oz = $15.99 an ounce
CeraVe Skin Renewing Serum $16.99 for 1 oz = $16.99 an ounce
PUR Soak It Up Intense Hydrating Moisturizer $34 for 2 oz = $17.00 an ounce
Neutrogena Hydroboost Hydrating Serum $19.99 for 1 oz = $19.99 an ounce
It Costs How Much?!?!
Perricone MD H2 Elemental Energy Hydrating Booster Serum $100.00 for 1.0 oz = $100.00 an ounce
CLARINS Hydra-Essentiel Bi-phase Serum $59.00 for 1.0 oz = $59.00 an ounce
VICHY LiftActiv Serum 10 Supreme, Anti-Aging Face Serum $45.00 for 1.0 oz = $45.00 an ounce
The Better Skin Co. Better Skin Epik C Serum $42.00 for 1.0 oz = $42.00 an ounce
Middle of the Road
Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance $69 for 3.4 oz = $20.29 an ounce
Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate $39 for 1.6 oz = $24.38 an ounce
Mario Badescu Herbal Hydrating Serum $30 for 1 oz = $30.00 an ounce
OFRA Cosmetics B5 Moisturizing Serum $39.00 for 1.2 oz = $32.50 an ounce
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum $36 for 1 oz = $36.00 an ounce
H2O Plus Oasis Moisture Boost Serum $38.00 for 1.0 oz = $38.00 an ounce
I'm seriously shocked here. These prices are in an incredible range from $11 - $100! I'm currently using the Clinique Supercharged Concentrate, and while I thought it was pretty expensive, compared to how much serums cost, it ended up in the middle of the range.
Hydrating Cream or Gel
Best Bang for Your Buck
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream $30 for 6 oz = $5.00 an ounce
Garnier Skin Active Moisture Bomb Antioxidant Moisturizer Gel Cream $16.99 for 2.5 oz = $6.80 an ounce
No7 Beautiful Skin Day Cream for Dry/Very Dry $14.99 for 1.6 oz = $9.37 an ounce
Botanics Hydration Burst Hydrating Day Cream $15.99 for 1.69 oz =$9.46 an ounce
It Costs How Much?!?!
Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture $75 for 1.7oz = $44.12 an ounce
It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream - Transforming Mosituring Super Cream $48 for 2 oz = $24.00 an ounce
Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief $52.50 for 2.5 oz = $21.00 an ounce
Middle of the Road
Ulta Beauty Waterfull Gel Cream Moisturizer $19.50 for 1.7 oz = $11.47 an ounce
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream $19.99 for 1.7 oz = $11.76 an ounceBare Minerals True Oasis Oil-Free Replenishing Gel Cream $32 for 1.7 oz = $18.82 an ounce
Renewed Hope in a Jar $39 for 2 oz = $19.50 an ounce
I've been using the Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief and it's expensive.
I will say that I only buy it during Clinique Bonus Time - so I get 5 extra products with it, including travel sizes of the moisture surge line and I always purchase through Shop Discover which gives me 5% cash back.
So that leaves me with a total of $19.95 an ounce placing it in the middle of the road category.
It is close to being at the top end of the middle of the road. I may look at switching to the Garnier when I'm done with my jar. I really like the feel of the gel cream so I want to stick to a product with a similar texture.
Facial Oil
Best Bang for Your Buck
RAISE THE ALARM! PINK TAX! DISCRIMINATION TOWARDS WOMEN THOUGH FINANCES!!!
Frederick Benjamin Easy Primer Pre-Shave and Face Oil $12.00 for 2.0 oz = $6.00 an ounce
This is the cheapest facial oil I could find. This is a product for men and it's not marketed to women. You can only buy it online. Ingredients are similar to most of those used by women's facial oils, so can and should be used by women.
This is the cheapest facial oil I could find. This is a product for men and it's not marketed to women. You can only buy it online. Ingredients are similar to most of those used by women's facial oils, so can and should be used by women.
Derma-E Essentials SunKissAlba Radiant Glow Face Oil $19.99 for 2 oz = $10.00 an ounce
Goodal Water Oil Firming Camellia $30.00 for 2.0 oz = $15.00 an ounceULTA 24K Magic Beauty Oil $19.50 for 1.0 oz = $19.50 an ounce
It Costs How Much?!?!
Murad Multi-Vitamin Infusion Oil $72 for 1 oz = $72 an ounce
Clinique Smart Treatment Oil $44.50 for 1.0 oz = $44.50 an ounce
Julep Boost Your Radiance Reparative Rosehip Seed Facial Oil $36 for 0.85 oz = $42.35 an ounce
Burt's Bees Complete Nourishment Facial Oil .51 oz $19.99 = $39.20 an ounce
Middle of the Road
Botanics 100% Organic Nourishing Facial Oil $17.99 for 0.84 oz = $21.42 an ounce
Mario Badescu Rose Hip Nourishing Oil $22.00 for 1.0 oz = $22.00 an ounce
No7 Youthful Replenishing Facial Oil $22.99 for 1.0 oz = $22.99 an ounce
I'm actually pretty surprised that the most cost-effective facial oil "for women" is not any cheaper than $10.00 an ounce. I think I'm most surprised about the price of Burt's Bee's facial oil. It's not even considered a 'prestige' brand.
Overnight Hydration
Best Bang for Your Buck
No7 Beautiful Skin Night Cream for Dry/Very Dry Skin $14.99 for 1.6 oz = $9.37 an ounce
AVEENO Positively Radiant Overnight Hydrating Facial $16.99 for 1.7 oz = $9.99 an ounce
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream $16.99 for 1.7 oz = $9.99 an ounce
Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask $35.00 for 3.4 oz = $10.29 an ounce
VICHY Aqualia Thermal Night Spa Anti-Fatigue Night Cream $28.00 for 2.5 oz = $11.20 an ounce
It Costs How Much?!?!
Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Overnight Cream $75.00 for 1.7 oz = $44.12 an ounce
Estee Lauder Nutritious Vitality8 Night Radiant Overnight Mask 1.7 oz $72.00 = $42.35 an ounce
AHAVA Mineral Radiance Overnight De-Stressing Cream $55.00 for 1.7 oz = $32.35 an ounce
Middle of the Road
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydra Firm Sleeping Cream $38 for 1.7 oz = $22.35 an ounce
Algenist Splash Absolute Hydration Replenishing Sleeping Pack $48.00 for 2.0 oz = $24.00 an ounce
Renewed Hope In A Jar Overnight $49.00 for 2.0 oz = $24.50 an ounce
ROC Multi-Correction 5 in 1 Restoring Night Cream $27.49 for 1.7oz = $27.49 an ounce
I'm definitely interested in trying some of the different overnight creams and masks. I'm currently using the Clinique Overnight Mask, and while in the Best Band for Your Buck category, there are others that I would like to try.
Masks
Best Bang for Your Buck
Formula 10.0.6 Sea Side Glow Skin-Hydrating Peel Mask $6.99 for 3.4 oz = $2.06 an ounce
VICHY Quenching Mineral Face Mask $20 for 2.54 oz = $7.87 an ounce
E.L.F. COSMETICS Hydrating Bubble Mask $14.00 for 1.69 oz = $8.28 an ounce
It Costs How Much?!?!
Julep Triple Quench Deep Hydration Sheet Mask System $12 for 1 treatment
SOAP & GLORY Speed Plump Super-Hydrating Miracle Moisture Mask $4 for 1 treatment
Middle of the Road
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask $24 for 2 oz = $12.00 an ounce
AHAVA Mineral Mud Brightening & Hydrating Facial Mud Mask $32.00 for 1.7 oz = $18.82 an ounce
This was a tricky category. Most masks are for acne or clearing pores. Even ones that say they are hydrating have clay in them which is drying. The 'winner' Formula 10.0.6 Sea Side Glow Skin-Hydrating Peel Mask has clay so I'm actually unsure if it would hydrate.
The expensive ones are the single treatment masks. Most of the traditional jar masks you can get more than one use from...making the single treatment sheet masks the most expensive.
Unfortunately, sheet masks are quite trendy and companies realized how much money they can make from them. They really are a financial rip off for consumers.
For example:
I'm going to use a 3-month mark. I really feel that most jar masks would last anywhere between 2 - 3 months.
The SOAP & GLORY Speed Plump Super-Hydrating Miracle Moisture Mask $4 for 1treatment, to do this once a week for 3 months = $48.00
VS.
The most expensive jar mask, AHAVA Mineral Mud Brightening & Hydrating Facial Mud Mask which is $32.00.
There you go. I hope that this post helps you to make some wise financial decisions regarding your skincare. Stay healthy my friends.
** There is no standard medical treatment for Adhesive Arachnoiditis
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