Hi Susie
I don't like to spend a lot on face products either, but there is one product that to me is worth the money. Cellex-c serum is great - it's expensive - about $100 a bottle but you only use a few drops a day. And you can get it quite a bit cheaper on ebay. I really think it makes my skin look younger - I'm 46. If you go to their website you can see photos of an older man whose face was treated with cellex-c on one half of the face and the other side was left alone. Another product I have been using lately and really like is jojoba oil. It is very inexpensive - I buy mine at Trader Joe's. You can use it for everything - hair, skin, - you can use it as a cleanser and wipe it off with a tissue, you can use it as a moisturizer and leave it on your face. It is actually even good for people with oily skin. I love it - just a few drops on your damp face work really well. Those are my two things. One is expensive but the other one is cheap, so I kind of figure the average of the two isn't that bad!

The most important thing you can put on your face is sunscreen, and you don't have to spend a lot of money on it. As far as "anti-aging" potions, I know that the Olay Regenerist line always gets high ratings, and it is a reasonably priced drugstore brand.

I went to a dermatologist a few years ago who told me the best OTC products are made by Neutrogena and there is absolutely no reason to spend more than that.

I am 45 now and my skin is a disaster from too much sun exposure when I was younger and acne which I never had til I was maybe 30 (it's not so bad now, but does crop up once a month!). So another dr. gave me Retin-A ointment, which I use every night. I honestly am not sure if it's making much of a difference. My biggest problem isn't so much lines and wrinkles but spots from sun damage and acne scarring.

I wish I had back all the money I've spent on high-priced serums and lotions and potions that didn't do squat. The last trip I made to the dermatologist, his aesthetician managed to "talk me into" spending close to $300 on products that at first I was enthusiastic about - but after using them for a number of months and seeing absolutely no change in my skin, the remaining crud left in the bottles got thrown in a basket, stored away, and eventually thrown away.

I tend to agree with Simon Doonan - not a doctor, but the creative director of Barney's New York. He's one you might think would be all about the high-priced skin care products, but he maintains that the only reason to spend $$$ is because it makes you feel "luxurious" to do so. His claim is that the high-end products can't work any more magic than the ones you buy from the drugstore can. I totally buy into his logic, having the anecdotal proof in my own face. Unfortunately.

Susie, as others have said, the less expensive products are just as good, if not better than the expensive products.

My hair started to thin in my 40's, which, of course, at the time was devastating. I used Minoxidil for awhile and didn't have any side affects, but didn't use it long enough to see a difference. My hair is still thinning, but maybe because of my age, 62, while I'm not happy about it, it doesn't bother me as much.

I so agree about not minding aging, but growing old gracefully. Although, I've my fair share of plastic surgeries just to freshen up a bit, I would never suggest anyone have plastic surgery. I have had nothing but side affects and I looked better before the procedures.

I also think how someone in our age group dresses is really important. It's just my opinion, but nothing beats simple elegance.

I like plain 'ol olive oil for around the eyes. It's cheap too. Soaks in quick. Won't harm the eyes.

I do use an alpha-hydroy lotion 12% also. It works just like they say. Check out Amlactin available only at pharmacies. The price is very reasonable for what you get.

They recently changed their label style and I just found five bottles on the clearance shelf at Walgreens with the old style label for only $5.00 each. Woot.

Go to their website for a coupon to print out. I have no connection to this company.

www.Amlactin.com

I also highly recommend using a good cleanser for the skin. I have recommended DHC before and still stand by them. Again, no connection to the company. Their soap will not dry your skin and will cleans thoroughly. It is a bit pricey but worth it. They will send you a FREE no obligation sample along with a coupon for your first order if you contact them. You don't have to order anything and they don't call you and bug you either. This is not an MLM. They only sell through catalogs and on the internet. (Oy. I just checked their site and they raised their prices again. Still worth it though.)

http://www.dhccare.com

Here is a link that might be useful: DHC Soap

I have always been complimented on my skin. I started using daily sunscreen around age 20 since I read that skin never forgets, it is not so much the time spend on the beach but the everyday little exposure like just walking from your front door to the car. Sun is the worst. I have also been using Cellex C and retin A for about 20 years now. I just turned 56. I have been told a few times, if I dyed my hair (I have all silver color, went grey very early) I could pass for someone in early 40's.

I also use DHC and like their olive oil products. Thinning hair? I've always had fine thin hair. No hope for me there, but in my next life...

Actually, I think good skin is no smoking, sunscreen when you're young-at our ages, Susie, you and I have already done most of the damage-and good genes, frankly. At 58, my skin is still pretty good, but not what it was 10 years ago. I don't spend a lot of money on products because I have great skin. Pure luck-spent summers on the Jersey shore and most of my life outdoors. When I was growing up, we didn't use sunscreen. I started using it in my 30s, I think (around 1982). I do think we all look younger than our mothers did at our ages and when someone is surprised when they hear my age, I tell them that this IS what 58 looks like these days! Aging gracefully, I think, is as much about attitude as anything else. I have no desire to be 20, 30, 40, or even 50 again. I am ever grateful to my parents for their genetic pool (Dad didn't go completely grey until he was in his late 70s)!

As long as you are exercising, eating well, and feeling good, you are ahead of the game, IMHO. Oh and laugh every day. My guess is you are gorgeous!

Thanks for all your responses. I have been doing a couple of things: using sunscreen, sometimes a little bit of olive oil (probably start using more of that). Checked out the DHC soap, think I'll get some of that and I'm checking the local Walgreens tomorrow to see if they have Amlactin. I used to use Cellex-C years ago, and it did make my skin look brighter (at least I thought so). One thing I've done and I hope it helps my skin, at least the skin on my body, is I've put a chlorine filter on the shower. My skin already feels a little better (felt sore and rough before). Always trying to dress my age without looking too old (or too young). Trying for the "simple elegance". Thanks again, all.

There's a great website called "Truth in Aging" that led me to find a c serum at amazon for a great deal less than the others. I've been using it and it makes my skin definitely finer and softer--but I can't say it has drastically improved my wrinkles...one other thing that's important is to avoid products with toxic additives, e.g. any parabens. I'll link to the product at amazon, rather than to the truthinaging site--as that's pretty easily findable.

Here is a link that might be useful: lots of good stuff, no bad stuff

Great idea to filter the chlorine, Susie. I filter my drinking water, but we do absorb tons of chlorine though our skin. I need to get one of those filters, too!

Yes, meant to comment on the chlorine filter too -- DH and I can really tell a difference--we're going to put a similar showerhead with changeable filters on DD's shower as well.

I forgot two other beauty tips that really, really make a huge difference and are practically no cost.

One is to exfoliate. When one gets older skin cells do not turn over rapidly like they once did and skin can look dry even when it is healthy. Those microfiber wash cloths really do bring a nice glow to the face. You don't have to buy those $30 ones either. You can use the inexpensive ones the auto or household department sells. They are exactly the same except for the garish color.

I use exfoliating gloves with a weekly bath (shower every day) to make the skin on my whole body look good. They really do remove those dead skin cells that make one look dull. Follow up with moisturizer or skin treatment product. By removing the dead layer the skin products will get right at the skin.

Also, a lot of women, myself included, get fine facial hair all over their face in middle age. I use a depilatory or if I am in a hurry I just grab a razor. Getting rid of all that peach fuzz on the cheeks can take decades away from one's appearance.

Interesting, dillydally--so folks use a microfiber cloth? I've only ever used regular old washcloths. And scrub. When my washcloth wears out, I'll try a microfiber cloth instead. Who knew :)

Yup, they sell microfiber ones for exfoliating and polishing the face. Here is a link below to just one of the many places that sell them. The Aveda brand ones are priceier. You can just use the microfiber cloths sold in the household or auto department and they are cheaper.

You don't have to wait until your current cotton ones are shot. Just buy a couple microfiber ones for use on your face only and keep your current ones for regular use. I've always have separate face cloths and ones for other body parts even if they were not microfiber before microfiber was invented.

*Remember: DO NOT wash your microfiber clothes with regular ones.

http://www.purespadirect.com/Microfiber-Wash-Cloths-13-X-13-p/vw-132288.htm?1=1&CartID=0

Here is a link that might be useful: Microfiber Spa Washcloths for Face

I was in my neighborhood "postal store" yesterday using their copy machine & a tall, slim, good-looking gal came in, I'd guess her age about late 30ties. She was obviously bringing something in to have wrapped & remailed to its source. I overheard her exclaim something about "$99 a month!".

Being the curious type, I asked her what she was returning & she replied "Anti-wrinkle cream and it doesn't work!"

She went on to say that this product was something she saw heavily advrtised on television (sorry I forgot to ask the product name) & she bought into it, also not realizing it was some kind of ongoing beauty program that was going to cost her $99 a month. She said she thought of keeping her original order as a "moisturizer" but decided that even the first $99 wasn't worth it and "will I ever learn?"

The charming lady owner of the postal business kind of smiled at that point and said that she was the fifth woman in the last month who had come in for a re-wrap & return mailing of that very same product!

What is it about if something seems to good to be true....

Thanks for the info, dilly.

Dilly, what depilatory do you use on your face? i would like to try one that won't break me out or make my skin peel.

My routine is simple; I take eye makeup off with baby oil, wash my face with Aveeno Positively Radiant Face Wash, and at night use Retin A and Lancome Absolue Premium Night Cream.

Morning is Lancome Absolue Day Cream with 15 SPF; if I'm getting much sun expsosure I use Obagi 60 SPF suncreen first.

I, too, use the Walgreens Alpha Hydroxy 12% cream; I use it on my legs and feet.

I wish I had been taking care of my neck and hands all these years.

Jennava, I started out buying the ones made for the face and bikini line. They are suppose to be more gentle. I found that plain 'ol Nair or Veet works find for me. Buy the kind that takes 15 minutes though not the speedy 3 minute stuff. With the 15 min. depilatory if you leave it on a minute or two longer you won't get a burn like you would leaving the 3 min. kind on almost double the time.

If your skin is very sensitive, and you already know you are prone to irritation, maybe a facial depilatory is not right for you?

Dilly, i did try one for the face, and upper lip. Did the pre-test on my arm,,,, no breakout. Then tried it on my "mustache" and it took the hair off but did break me out. I don't have a lot of hair there, and what is there is blonde, but "I" see it and i want it gone. Maybe will try a razor, lightly. Thanks~

I invested in an electric razor for that fine blond facial hair. You know how guys say an electric razor does not give them a 'close shave'? Well, it doesn't. But that is why an electric is better for a woman's facial hair. An electric razor does not shave close so there is no sharp stubble as the hair emerges from the skin. The hair on a woman's face is fine so there is no need for a 'close shave' either. Just taking it down to skin level works and it grows out softer with an electric.

I never had a problem with a fine hair mustache until menopause but I've had fine hair "sideburns" even in high school. I hated the way they sparkled in the sunlight. I started shaving them.

Seriously, shaving seems to be an "unmentionable" among women. Women are more willing to discuss their menstrual cycle with strangers than they are to discuss shaving their mustache.

Has anyone used the Reverse line by Rodan and Fields? (the dermatologists who invented ProActiv) I just started ... I am also a Neutrogena gal, but I have some friends who started using Reverse (and subsequently selling it), and they look amazing. It isn't cheap, but I'm hoping I see similar results.

It is supposed to be a fix for sun damage: exfoliation, skin lightening, and sunscreen. We are in Colorado, where dry air and lots of sun aren't the best for your skin. I've only used it a couple of weeks; it does make my skin feel good, but I haven't gotten into the full regimen yet, so I am not sure about results.