The Budget Fashionista

For breakouts and other unfortunate spots, Neutrogena On-The-Spot (Vanishing Formula) works nicely without drying too much.

I also like Avon’s Clearskin Purifying Gel Cleanser for daily washing; it has 2% salicylic acid, just enough to get the gunk off without stripping the skin (Woohoo, just noticed it’s on sale right now: http://tinyurl.com/2nmmfr)

Lastly, my favorite toner in the world is a real bargain: witch hazel. It’s cheap, gentle yet quite effective and my skin seems to love it.

I have sensitive skin, and all Clean & Clear products have irritated my skin or made me break out *except* the Clean & Clear Advantage line.

I don’t have acne, but every once in a while I’ll get a nasty cystic pimple or a little cluster of normal ones.  I purchased the kit advertised on TV, only because I happened to get one of those nasty cystic pimples… plus it didn’t hurt that I had a coupon which made it cost less than $12.

I used the moisturizer three times a day, the cleanser only at night, and the spot treatment twice a day. I kid you not, that sucker was 1/4 of its original size in 2 days!

I highly doubt it works the miracles claimed in the commercial, but it did get rid of my cystic pimple in just under 9 days, which is much better than the 4-6 weeks it would normally take.

For Neutrogena product fans, there’s a super cheap Target version of their orange Anti-Acne Facial Wash, which includes salicylic acid.  It retails for approx. $3 and comes in a handy pump.

Neutrogena on the spot didn’t work for me. It irritated my pimple and made it bigger! Biore pore strip and neutrogena acne face peel are the best for clean pores and vanishing scar marks!

For face, I love a product called Bye Bye Blemish. It is about $10 at walgreens. It is one of those pink lotions that seperate. I have extremely oily skin and I get cystic pimples, so I dilute it a bit and use it on my whole face and full strength on active pimples. It blends away under make-up.
For body, I use a generic version of St Ives apricot scrub with salicylic acid. I don’t have any acne on my chest or back anymore! I do use this on my face sometimes, but it has a very coarse grain.

I like “Freeman Claymasque Avocado Oatmeal Facial Mask” (about $4 at the drugstore)- it makes my skin feel tight and smooth. Plus it’s kind of relaxing to do the facial thing.

*Clean & Clear Persa-gel works wonders, especially w/the “mosters”. (but use a very tiny amount or it will dry you up too much).
*Clearasil Daily Face Wash for sensitive skin: takes off all my makeup at night without over-drying.
*Aveeno Daily Face scrub makes my skin fresh and smooth every morning.
*Neutrogena moisturizer for sensitive skin: the only drugstore moisturizer that doesn’t make me break out.
*Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask: I only use this as a mask 1-3 times a week, depending on the state of my skin.  Helps clear those pesky breakouts.
*Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash: my perfectly smooth back is a testament to this stuff working.