Health, Fashion, Parenting and Women Related Issues

RealAge skin expert Dr. Wechsler is a big believer in simple, basic products. But as she says, “Who doesn’t love a little luxurious skin treat now and then?” Of course, nobody needs a $250 moisturizer. But if money is no object, and you love the way it looks and feels, go for it and indulge. Below are a few products under $250 that Dr. Amy treats herself to:

Lipsticks. For Amy, great lipsticks are hard to resist. They’re the one makeup item she’ll really splurge on, because she adores the way they feel. Her favorites are Shiseido and Cle de Peau (which is actually part of Shiseido). She raves, “The colors and the textures are amazing.”

Antioxidant treatments, particularly the ones based on green tea or caffeine. A line she personally likes is Topix Replenix. Its antioxidant Cream CF and Serum CF are caffeine enhanced and have 90% polyphenols from green tea. They cost about $60 each. The cream is slightly more moisturizing, so it’s good for dry types; oilier skin would be fine with the serum.

L’Occitane’s olive-oil skin products. Like safflower oil, olive oil is a great moisturizing skin treatment, but the straight stuff leaves you smelling like a salad. These don’t.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Fluide Extreme SPF 50+ with Mexoryl SX and Mexoryl XL. Amy loves this ultraprotective but gentle sunscreen but says that it’s definitely expensive in the U.S. — if you can find it at all. She suggests ordering this product online from Canada; it can be $60 a tube here, but if you shop hard, $20 outside the country.

When it comes to basic skin care, these items are at the top of RealAge skin expert Dr. Wechsler’s list of beauty bargains.

* Vaseline. Says Amy: “It’s the best lip moisturizer. And talk about cheap! By the way, steer clear of any lip balms that contain phenol (Blistex does, for one). They strip the top layer of skin off your lips. That’s why you get addicted to them; they remove your natural protection.

* “For body lotions, Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream and Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Body Lotion are both terrific. Warehouse clubs sell big tubs of Cetaphil cream or the giant pump dispenser of Norwegian Formula.

* “Also at the local warehouse club, you can get Dove or Purpose soap by the case. (If your skin is touchy, buy Dove in the fragrance-free or sensitive-skin formulas.) They don’t strip your skin of good oils. Neither of these is expensive anyway, but they’re a little more than some supermarket brands, so why not buy in bulk and save the difference?

* “For sunscreens, Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion SPF 30 is a world-class bargain. It contains 9.1% titanium dioxide, a crushed mineral that protects you instantly.

* “Safflower oil. Yes, the kitchen oil you buy at the grocery. It’s a super moisturizer, especially for gator-dry legs, and gentle enough for babies (some hospitals use it on newborns). It owes its famous skin-enriching actions on its very high linoleic acid content, a fatty acid that skin normally makes to keep its moisture level up and barrier function intact. Since our body’s linoleic acid production gets sluggish as we get older, safflower oil helps replace it — from the outside in!”