Clinique Liquid Facial Soap—Oily Skin Formula

Why would Spend or Save review a facial cleanser that costs $14.50? It’s that good. I am all for scrimping and saving on superfluous items but skincare items that make a difference merit the extra expense. If your skin is normal and not prone to acne, you are lucky in that you needn’t be as selective in your skincare regime; a good sunscreen, a cleanser that actually removes makeup and an anti-aging product (if you need it) are the bare necessities.

Those of us with oily or acne-prone skin need to be cautious of the ingredients in our cleansers. Did you know that there’s glycerin in the Cetaphil face wash designed for oily skin? That’s right, glycerin--the sticky, gooey, oily stuff you use to create Mixing Medium. For many years, I wondered why Cetaphil was leaving my skin feeling oilier than before I washed it despite the fact that everyone else was raving about how wonderful a cleanser it is. Different people react differently to different ingredients so what may work for me may not work for you and vice versa.

The best part about the Clinique Liquid Facial Soap is the fact that the “Oily Skin Formula” does not leave my skin feeling tight or stripped the way some cleansers can.

Did I mention that a tiny blob of product goes a long way and makes tons of foam? The only thing that makes this product fall short of Holy Grail status is the fact that it does not seem to remove my eye makeup even though it does a great job with the rest of the makeup on my face. I do tend to use a separate makeup remover on my eyes and it’s probably best to avoid using anything created especially for oily skin on one’s eyes since it may be too harsh or drying. The gelatinous texture also makes it a perfect match with Aspirin.

Image Credit: Clinique.com

Shiseido Suncreen: A Wortwhile Spend

My skin is the Paris Hilton of the skin world: High maintenance, finicky, reactive and overall...annoying! I break out at the drop of a hat and am noticing some wrinkles I hadn't anticipated on dealing with until my 30's (at the earliest). I am truly kicking myself for not getting into a consistent habit of using sunscreen and advise you to avoid repeating my mistake.

Why was I so negligent about using sunscreen? Simply put, it was too greasy and made me break out. I wish I learned of Shiseido's Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 55 PA+++ sooner. This is the only sunscreen (and I've tried many) that is not oily on my skin (some find this more mattifying than others) and has not led to a single breakout. And while I do note a bit of a white cast, it isn't nearly as bad as with other sunscreens. I apply this with a foundation brush to ensure an even coating and to avoid that dry, filmy feeling it tends to leave on my fingertips. The cream version of this product (in a tube) is not recommended for oily, acne-prone skin. This sunscreen with an SPF 55 that works well for my skin type is a great purchase even at $37 for a 3.3 oz bottle.

In case you are curious, the "PA+++" indicates the level of UVA protection (the scale ranges from "+" to "+++") whereas SPF is a measurement of protection against UVB rays. The combination of the two makes for superior, broad scale protection against the sun. This sunscreen is water resistant and boasts of ingredients that improve the condition of your skin although frankly, I have yet to notice anything beyond it's superior power to prevent sunburn.