Best Face & Body Products on a Budget
Let’s “Face It”. O.k. ……..pun intended.
As moms our skin goes through a lot. From the moment we become pregnant our hormones take off on a wild ride affecting our skin and body. Our bodies are strong, beautiful, and miraculous, but the whole process of creating life can stretch and pull our skin in ways we never thought possible. In addition to the fluctuation issues that wreak havoc on our skin and body, we then deal with the changes becoming a parent has on our resources. Our time and money feel as if they are squeezed into oblivion.
Gone are the days where we have all the time in the world to casually implement our skincare routine twice a day. Many times when our children are small, we are just glad to get a shower.
For the most part, we find our footing and get back into a fairly good routine of washing our face and finding a good moisturizer. But….there is a disconnect between the expensive skincare products we see in beauty stores, magazines, on social media, and two very important things:
Time and Money
We no longer have the time to browse the beauty isles in silence while testing all of the facial creams to find out which ones are the best value for our budget. Our budgets are now squeezed by diapers, wipes, dance lessons, soccer, childcare, college……you know the drill. The point…..
As moms we have very little time, and 99% of us have a budget. So when taking care of our skin, we need easy and effective products that don’t take hours or break our bank account. Taking care of our body and skin can become more difficult after having children…but when we find good products, and are able to implement them into our everyday routine we can give our skin and body the attention and hydration it needs.
These NATURAL and Affordable Face & Body Products can be found at localHEB, Walmart, convenient stores, and yes……..Amazon. As moms, we either frequent these locations, or order from them multiple times a week. So incorporating a few of the products into our grocery budget makes body care easy and affordable.
Hydration is KEY! Right now the trend in skincare has gone back to the basics in making sure your skin is hydrated. Hydration is obviously healthy for your body, but also very important for a glowing, smooth complexion. These products below are great and healthy ways to hydrate skin from the outside in and vice versa.
Note: This is not to say to let go of your skincare system. These tips are to help you incorporate some easy, budget friendly ways to moisturize and pamper your skin. These products are also ways to hold you over when you have run out of the pricier product and need an affordable filler until you have a chance to restock. At the same time, some women like to use a more natural approach to skincare and use these products all of the time. Either way….these are great products that work!
Organic Coconut Oil
Organic Coconut Oil can be used to enhance healthy skin, while promoting a healthy diet and cooking! In Asia and the Pacific populations, Coconut Oil has been used in medical practices and is known as the “Tree of Life” for its healing properties. You can apply it as a topical lotion and substitute it for other cooking oils to nourish your body from the inside out. Coconut oil has many benefits. For more tips go to Prevention Magazine.
The following are just a few of the many benefits Coconut Oil offers.
- Effective moisturizer: is used as a base for many soaps and body products
- Anti-aging
- Fights degenerative diseases and wards of free radicals
- Protective antioxidant
- Protects skin from sun damage and fights wrinkles
- Healthy for bones
- Good for digestion
- Promotes healthy hair
How to Use: A little goes a long way. Dab oil onto your finger the size of a dime. Apply to arms, legs, torso, hands and feet. It can feel oily, but you can also mix it with lotion for extra moisture.
Tip 1: I have dry skin, and occasionally apply coconut oil on my face along with my moisturizer.
Caution: If you have oily skin or break outs check with a dermatologist or aesthetician before applying it to the face. Over use can cause a buildup on the face.
Tip 2: My son uses Organic Coconut Oil as a topical ointment to treat his eczema. His eczema flares up the most during the summer because the chlorine in the pool dries it out. Coconut Oil helps to heal, sooth, and reduce the inflammation.
Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E is a natural supplement found in healthy foods that our bodies need from the inside, and is considered a nutrient for the skin. It is used for anti-aging and prevents skin from becoming dehydrated. Vitamin E Oil helps skin maintain its natural moisture, and includes antioxidants. It is a common practice to rub Vitamin E Oil on scars to reduce visibility and to promote healing.
How to use: Dab a small amount of Vitamin E Oil (about the size of a nickel) in the palm of your hand and apply it to your arms, legs, and torso. You can mix a small amount of oil with body lotion to maximize the moisture applied to the skin.
Tip 1: If you have stretch marks from pregnancy or nursing apply some Vitamin E Oil directly on the area.
Tip 2: If you don’t want your hair to get oily avoid application on the shoulders and upper arms. In the morning after a shower I mix it with my body lotion and apply it to the lower part of my body (legs & torso) to avoid getting it in my hair. At night, I will apply it to my shoulders, chest, and upper arms. If it becomes too oily on the skin dab it with a towel.
Caution: If your skin is prone to breakouts ask a dermatologist or aesthetician before application.
Tip 3: I LOVE how this makes my skin feel and look. It gives it a healthy glow, and fights aging.
Exfoliating Gloves
Exfoliating Gloves are one of my favorite things! Exfoliating dead skin is essential for skin cell turnover, can help your skin to feel super soft, and helps maintain a healthy glow. Exfoliating your skin can help promote skin circulation and can remove damaged skin cells.
How to use: Wear the gloves while in the shower. Use them with a natural soap or hydrating body wash to cleanse the body. Exfoliating Gloves can be used on all parts of the body.
Tip 1: Use Exfoliating Gloves on your legs before you shave. Your legs will be silky smooth.
Tip 2: To reach my back I use a loofah with a long handle.
Caution: Carefully use on your face. Over exfoliating your face can also cause problems, and can cause your skin to react. If you have sensitive skin or issues on your facial area ask a dermatologist before using.
Cetaphil Face Wash and Body Products
Cetaphil is a great to have on hand when you run out of your favorite, or more expensive, face wash. Cetaphil is also gentle and great for sensitive skin. It will clean your face without stripping your skin of its natural oils needed to maintain hydration. This brand offers a variety of products that also include body lotion, moisturizer for the face, and night cream. Cetaphil also has gentle products for your baby.
Tip: Sometimes it is good to give our face a break from harsher products and use a gentler option. Cetaphil makes basic skin care easy.
Tip 2: If you do not already have a skincare regime or product start with Cetaphil. Using this product line will ease you into a skincare routine that is healthy for all skin types.
Garnier Skin Active Face Masks:
Garnier SkinActive Face Mask Collection works! Garnier has developed an affordable way to pamper and hydrate your skin at the end of tiring day. For less than $3.00 you can target the problem areas of your skin. The face mask options include:
- Charcoal Mask to purify and lessen the visibility of pores.
- Moisture Bomb to hydrate, comfort, and sooth skin.
- Glow-Boosting to illuminate and radiate.
Each mask offers these benefits while giving your skin deeper hydration.
Tip 1: Follow the directions. Every time I use this product I see immediate results. The moisture in each of the masks leaves my skin feeling dewy, as if I just had a facial.
Tip 2: For maximum results and relaxation apply the mask and wear it at the end of the day in a hot bath. This is good for your mind too.
Caution: If you have outbreaks or facial issues consult a dermatologist or aesthetician before use.
Water
Hydration, Hydration, Hydration….
Water is the one thing we cannot get around. We MUST have it, and need it for healthy living. Fortunately, it is cheap and accessible. Yes, you need your 8 glasses of water a day, so don’t forget it. It is understandable as a mom the morning go-to beverage is coffee….while the evening preference is your favorite wine. Remember, those drinks can have health benefits, but they can also dehydrate you. If you are dehydrated so is your skin. So drink up the H2O.
