I’ve really upped my skincare regime this winter. And it’s a regime that I will carry right into spring and summer. Of course, my almost-teenage daughter has joined right in. Together, we’ve tried some winners and some losers. Today, we thought we’d share our faves with you. All of these items are available at our local Shopper’s Drug Mart. So, you should be able to find the same or similar products in your neck of the woods. Please note, this is not a sponsored post. These are the things we use day in, day out, from season to season. So, without further ado, here are our Drug Store Skincare Must Haves for Mothers and Daughters.
Mother Daughter Skincare : Our Drug Store Must Haves
1. All for one and one for all: Life Brand 3-in-1 Cleansing Cloths [for all skin types] ~$5-20
Bea and I both love these inexpensive cleansing cloths. They offer an easy way to “take the day off” at any time of day. The blend of cleanser, toner, and make-up remover makes them perfect for daily use, whether home or away. We have mini-packs for schoolbags, purses, and carry-on luggage and large refill packets for the family bathroom. These moist cloths do just as good of a job on my sensitive-to-scents skin as on her oily t-zone pre-teen skin. If we could only have one skin care product…
2. Mama’s #1 moisturizer: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion + $19/50mL
I’ve been using Clinique’s little yellow miracle for more than a decade. I put it on immediately after I pat my face dry out of the shower or bath. It’s one of the only products I’ve ever used consistently and without fail. In the winter, it keeps my skin from flaking. In the summer, it hydrates without making me feel oily. I like to buy the 50mL tubes instead of the larger glass bottles, as it’s easier to transport, and, well, 50mL lasts quite a long time as is, even with my daughter stealing it.
3. Mama’s #1 SPF for face: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Fluid Lotion SPF 60 ~$35
I tend to break out at the word sunscreen. Until I tried this Anthelios cream, I’d never been able to find a sunscreen for the face that didn’t feel chalky or make me break out in hives. This cream goes on smooth and soaks in. And I’ve never had a problem with streaking or burning, even if it’s been several hours since application. I’ve been using this formulation for over five years now. And I never run out of even the smallest bottle before its expiration date – so, yes, it lasts a long time.
4. Spa Day Miracle: Life Brand Sheet Masks $1.99 each or 3 for $5
Whoever invented the sheet mask should be given a medal of honour. Bea and I both love these easy-on easy-off masks, which come in at least 4 or 5 formulations. I think my favourite is the Hydrating Facial Sheet Mask with hyraulonic acid and konjac. Though, we love them all. You open the package, unfold the soaked paper mask and lay it on your face until you see fit to peel it off. Nothing sticks. Nothing stays. There’s no effort to remove the goo or the clay with these babies. Spa made simple [and super cheap]. Note, there are non-sheet masks available for hair and face amidst the sheet masks. We like those, too. But, these sheet masks are our new love.
5. Oil for every body. Neutrogena Body Oil, Sesame Formula ~$11
I remember reading about this oil in a magazine some fifteen or twenty years ago. Back then, who didn’t want to be as soft as Gwyneth? So, I bought my first bottle, and, starlets be damned, I’ve never turned back. It’s even beaten out my Body Shop Cocoa Butter Body Butter as my all-over body moisturizer of choice. Now, Bea loves it, too. After a quick after-shower dab-off, this oil is amazing. And we’ll add a few drops of it to the bath for a good, moisturizing soak. Cannot get enough. Smoothest legs ever.
6. For “watchful” moms: La Roche-Posay Redermic C, Eyes ~$60
Having ushered two children into the terra-firma of double-digits, my tired eyes deserve a fancy little laugh-line cream. And this La Roche-Posay packs a punch. A tiny little dot will add some plumping hyraulonic acid and vitamin c to the happy little creases you might not want to deepen just yet. I love it. And it works! Of note: I managed to get mine on sale. And, a La Roche expert was visiting Shoppers the day I was there. So, I received an extra 10% off the top of that! Do look around for visiting experts at your beauty boutiques of choice! They are the bomb!
7. A Bedtime Story For Moms Only: Lancôme Visionnaire Nuit, Beauty Sleep Perfector $99
Looking around for a “night cream” that I didn’t need to use on a daily basis [I’m not that disciplined], I happened to sample this amazing gel formula on my wrist. [Okay, so maybe the gorgeous picture of Kate Winslet nearby had something to do with it, too.] I don’t usually go for scented products, because I’m usually irrirated by them. But, this gel is different. I put this on before bed, in my blessed “hour of reading,” and not only does it smell amazing, it sets in and makes my skin soft as butter before I’ve even finished the first page. This night cream gel is a luxury, not a necessity. But, I had extra Shoppers points, so, I opted for a little free luxury.
8. All the ladies, All the gents: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and CeraVe Foaming Cleanser ~$15
In the winter, we hydrate. In the summer, we foam. Bea and I absolutely love CeraVe face cleansers. We pop them on the clarisonic brush or simply bubble them up in our hands. There’s never any sticky residue. And, even with the boys stealing our suds, a bottle lasts a long long time!
9. Optimum Points Splurge: Clarisonic Mia 2 $189
I was skeptical about using a cleansing brush. But, after I heard my esthetician friend, Rachel, raving about hers, I consulted with Bea. And, she said, why not? So, when we had enough Optimum Points saved up, we took the plunge and picked up the Clarisonic Mia 2. [Ours is a peachy pink colour. But, wow, that new Keith Haring model is a beaut.] Bea and I each use a sensitive skin brush head. [The heads are easily interchangeable.] Two-minutes a day and we are cleansed! We love how it prompts you with a little “nuzzle” to switch from your forehead to your t-zone, etc. With the CeraVe cleansers, we think this makes our skin a 10/10 each and every day.
10. Mama-C-ta: NeoStrata Skin Brightener, 20% Vitamin C MRP: $75
Aside from the extragance of a little purse-sized eye serum [above], I’m not really ready for wrinkle cream. Who the heck is? But I like to put on a bit of this NeoStrata Vitamin C brightener a few times a week, especially on Saturday mornings. It’s like the vitamin-packed fresh-squeezed orange juice you get at spendy brunch, only for your face. I think it really has evened out my skin tone and firmed up my skin. I do not share this with the younger one. The box, after all, says 30+. Besides, she doesn’t need any added radiance. Oh, and I got mine on sale for less than half the MRP. Look for sales, people! Look for sales!
11. Free Sample (Al)Lure: Vichy Idealia Life Serum ~$59
So, a while ago, I got a free mini-sample of this from the glam squad at my Shopper’s Beauty Boutique. Since I was in between tubes of clinique moisturizer, I decided to put this on to see what I would see. I loved it IMMEDIATELY. It was a soft, luxurious moisturizer that, indeed, made my face look dewy and wonderful. Talk about a make-up-free glow! I am definitely grabbing a full-sized bottle of this then next time I cash in on points. I think it will be by new go-to barely-there non-base-makeup base! And it was perfect for my sensitive skin!
12. Daughter’s Double-Duty Moisturizer: Cetaphil Daily Moisturizer, Fragrance Free, Spf 50 ~$17
This has been Bea’s moisturizer of choice for several years now. Like me, she doesn’t like to put regular old SPF on her face. It doesn’t bother her skin, and it protects her face without a gritty feel. She absolutely loves it. And the easy-to-use pump keeps the formulation in top form while helping her to use a reasonable amount of product each time.
So there you have it, folks!
What are your must-have drug-store skin-care wonders? Do tell!!!
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