BellaOnline Forums Money Frugal Living Frugal Facial Care

Do you use expensive creams, cleansers, lotions and serums? Do you have any homemade or frugal options that you've tried?

How can one save money on facial products?

Crisco. Cottonseed oil is high in Vitamin C. Use tiny amounts as a thick cream.

Water inside and out, skipping makeup most days, and making lip balms for my family. I also went shampoo free years ago and *love* it. Baking soda and vinegar from warehouse stores are way cheaper than shampoo and my hair is much better shape.

Shala, that is all so cool.

How do you use baking soda and vinegar in your hair?

Whoops.. just noticed the type there. Cottonseed oil is high in Vitamin E not C.

Get your hair well wet, and make a paste of baking soda and scrub your scalp with that, and massage it through your hair, then rinse that well with warm water. Then using a mix of half vinegar (I use ACV from Costco) and water, pour that through your hair, and then rinse with cool water.

Baking soda is mildly alkaline and it has a slight sapnoification effect with the oil in your hair, so a lot of it will rinse away with the baking soda, the vinegar/water takes out more of it and also helps soften hair after the baking soda but they don't strip your hair as much as detergent shampoos. Your hair may not like it for the first week, but then it settles down to not being completely stripped of natural oils which get replaced by the conditioner oils and it goes to a natural state which is just enough oil and very soft. I find using this method, I only have to shampoo every 2-3 days and have fewer split ends. For my own enjoyment, I herbally infuse the vinegar with lavender buds and rosemary which also cuts down on oil production. Both are awesome for hair.

I have oily skin and will see a pimple appearing every now and then. Extra virgin olive oil is my latest craze and it works wonders! For my face: Mix equal parts of water , the olive oil and vinegar. I apply every night before going to bed...my skin is smooth, bright and beautiful in the morning. Oh, and as a scrub, I apply the olive oil to my face, then apply sugar or coarse salt to scrub (I much prefer sugar). Wipe off with hot, wet towel. I do this at nights before bed. Vaseline works well for the other parts of my body. I apply every night before bed.

A dermatologist once told me to treat dry skin by taking cool showers, never hot ones and never take baths. She said to get the shower water only as warm as it needs to be for comfort. Hot water opens pores too wide and too much internal moisture evaporates.

Never use soap; it strips the skin of its natural moisture. She recommended Cetaphil products but they can be pricey. Said to scrub only the arm pits, feet, and private parts; let the trickle-down effect clean everything else.

She also said to apply moisturizer immediately after showering while the body is still wet, to trap as much moisture inside the skin as possible. Use Vaseline or mineral / baby oil for this. Give it a minute to soak in, then pat dry if you need to. Put these things in pretty bottles if you need glamor.

Love Shala's shampoo idea. I use Mane & Tail shampoo / conditioner - dirt cheap! I've used it for years and, when my hair was to-my-waist long, strangers would compliment me often, sometimes asking if they could touch it because it looked so silky (not pervs, though, usually little old ladies in the check-out line at the grocery store). My dogs use it, too.

Fixing guacamole? Crush a little avocado in your hand and rub it into your clean face. Let it set a while to soften it deliciously!

Hi Jilly I threw away all of the man made creams I had bought and now I just use natural products on my skin. I use rhassoul mud to wash my skin with along with fullers earth and neem powder. Rhassoul comes from Morocco and I get someone to bring it back for me if they go. I use rosehip oil on my skin, or argan oil. They are not cheap but they last ages and they work. They keep my skin lovely and soft. I use aloe vera toothpaste. I use every type of fruit as face packs and skin softners. Lemons are my favorite beauty product. I use cider apple vinegar as a hair rinse and I drink it with honey. The list is endless. Linda Heywood

Those are great ideas, everyone!

I have heard that some people use just plain old water as their facial wash.

I need to try a baking soda facial scrub. that sounds gentle enough.