Beautifully Frugal
Sorry, this is just a post for the ladies -- or any men who care about their eye bags.
Eye cream is one of those things where women just get reamed. It's a tiny jar of lotion that manufacturers charge exorbitant amounts of money for.
Well, thanks to a note about tests by Consumer Reports, I think, I bought one of their top-rated eye creams (the cheapest) -- Olay Total Effects Eye Transforming Cream -- which is available at Amazon for just under $15.63, if you add in the shipping. (This beats the drug store, where I saw it for $23.) And the stuff is pretty great -- very creamy -- but frankly, even just under $16 seems a lot to me for such a tiny jar!
Then again, according to the piece (in Consumer Reports or wherever), it seems to compare favorably to creams that cost a bunch more.
Of course, the best way to protect your eyes is with a really good sunblock -- which I've been wearing for years, and which is now available in the United States, and at prices that begin to approach reasonable: Anthelios 50+ (pour la visage -- for the face) with Mexoryl.
Previously, Big Nanny, aka our government, had protected us from protecting our skin with Anthelios, prohibiting its sale here (though Anthelios had been on sale throughout Europe for a long time, and had not cause anyone, say, a cardiac arrest or anything).
Hey Amy,
Why do you use eye cream? Do you have dry skin around your eyes? I've just never understood the point of eye cream.
The main problem I've had with some drugstore products (including Olay) are the perfumes they put in their moisturizers.
Astra at November 2, 2011 6:47 AM
I like Olay Total effects. I also get an IPL facial periodically, and use Retin-A nightly. I have baby-smooth skin at 34. So it seems to be working! I'll have to check out amazon's prices.
momof4 at November 2, 2011 7:02 AM
Sephora brand. Roll-On Gel Instant depuffing. $15. No need to use fingers to apply (has 3 tiny rolly metal balls) and it really does reduce the puff (puuf?)
Tru at November 2, 2011 7:05 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/11/02/beautifully_fru.html#comment-2735842">comment from AstraHey Amy, Why do you use eye cream? Do you have dry skin around your eyes?
Women tend to look better if they moisturize around their eyes. I do. I don't have dry skin anywhere (perhaps because I eat a lot of meat fat) but my eye area feels better with moisture, and vaseline, which I use to remove my eyeshadow, doesn't cut it.
Amy Alkon at November 2, 2011 7:53 AM
You can usually find pretty good coupons (like $5 off) for the Olay products in the Sunday paper.
ahw at November 2, 2011 7:55 AM
Amy:
OK - but there is still no reason for a special eye moisturizer - unless it's to reduce puffiness.
And the best sun screen is a hat with a brim.
Ben David at November 2, 2011 8:27 AM
Amy, the best eye cream is probably in your home already, and you're just missing it!
Coconut oil! Since I have been using it, the skin around my eyes has become so smooth and velvety, and it feels good on the skin. I put it on at night before I go to bed, and in the morning, my eyes feel - and look - so good!
I also, btw, use coconut oil to remove my makeup. Why would you want to put petroleum products on your face, to be absorbed into your skin? I buy the cheap coconut oil (refined, so there's no odor) at Walmart for skin care, and I buy the expensive unprocessed stuff purchased online, to eat. Since I started doing this, my skin just glows (I am beginning to sound a bit narcissistic here, but I am really just bragging on the coconut oil)!
gharkness at November 3, 2011 5:47 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/11/02/beautifully_fru.html#comment-2738963">comment from gharknessThanks - this is great to know...going to try it. I'm out of coconut oil now, but for beauty's sake, I'm going to get some today!
Amy Alkon at November 3, 2011 7:51 AM
Olive oil is another good one to have around the house. I use it as makeup remover, and use a few drops in my hair right after I wash it. I keep it in one of those little dark bottles with an eyedropper in the lid. Ditto on the coconut oil, too. I actually like it as a body moisturizer (or even a cleanser- but then you have to scrub the hell out of the shower so it's not slippery later), but hadn't thought of using it as an eye cream.
ahw at November 3, 2011 9:12 AM
Amy! Don't you know? It's ILLEGAL for a low carber to be out of coconut oil! Do get some, though - I think you'll like it.
gharkness at November 3, 2011 10:23 AM
I bet you can't specify the difference between "petroleum products" and "coconut oil", or why one should be preferred over the other.
Keep in mind that a great many prescription medications are carried in petrolatum.
Radwaste at November 22, 2011 7:55 PM
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