Fight back against over-priced cosmetics! Post your cheap but outstanding discoveries

FrugalFriend

I'm glad Sudocrem has been mentioned, and it's also been said that its not cheap, thats true. But what is cheap are the store own brand versions of Sudocrem, and they're virtually identical. One is Tescos My Babys' Medicated Cream, you can get a huge tub for £1-2, Asda/Boots do similar one. So basically, get all the benefits of Sudocrem at a fraction of the price, seek aout the cheapest supermarket own brand, this is so versatile it's a must have item for me.

This cream is great for the following:

* Chaffed/chapped skin, espically in skin folds like underarms, between legs, etc... it's really effective if applied at night, before getting into bed. In the morning skin is magically restored to normal. Skin must be totally dry brfore you apply it though.

* All kinds of infected spots, pimples, cuts and grazes. Wash throughly, dry and apply. Always works and you heal fast. Again re-apply at betime for really fast healing.

* Ecezma, dry skin, etc .... I find this kind of cream is great for dry skin too. Because dry skin is prone to infection this has the double benfit of being medicated and mositurising. I apply this first a few times at night, the redness and soreness, will usually be gone in the morning. Then follow with regular lotion such as Vaseline Intensive care, Tesco lotion, E45 etc......

Unity

FrugalFriend wrote: »

I'm glad Sudocrem has been mentioned, and it's also been said that its not cheap, thats true. But what is cheap are the store own brand versions of Sudocrem, and they're virtually identical. One is Tescos My Babys' Medicated Cream, you can get a huge tub for £1-2, Asda/Boots do similar one. So basically, get all the benefits of Sudocrem at a fraction of the price, seek aout the cheapest supermarket own brand, this is so versatile it's a must have item for me.

This cream is great for the following:

* Chaffed/chapped skin, espically in skin folds like underarms, between legs, etc... it's really effective if applied at night, before getting into bed. In the morning skin is magically restored to normal. Skin must be totally dry brfore you apply it though.

* All kinds of infected spots, pimples, cuts and grazes. Wash throughly, dry and apply. Always works and you heal fast. Again re-apply at betime for really fast healing.

* Ecezma, dry skin, etc .... I find this kind of cream is great for dry skin too. Because dry skin is prone to infection this has the double benfit of being medicated and mositurising. I apply this first a few times at night, the redness and soreness, will usually be gone in the morning. Then follow with regular lotion such as Vaseline Intensive care, Tesco lotion, E45 etc......

Bepanthen is also a great cream, similarly sold for nappy rash etc. However I was really surprised to have it recommended just last week when I had quite a large tattoo done on my upper back. It has been marvellous, kept the site well moisturised and calmed down the bruising a treat. :T

getcarter

I'm seconding Bepanthen for tattoo healing, OH was recommended it by his tatooist!

FrugalFriend

I haven't tried this but seen it in the Pound/Euro shop and it looks good, Cyclax Apricot Facial Scrub. These types of scrub are expensive, and cheap alternatives are hard to find, so this might be worth trying. It's available in Pound/Euro shops, link is for reference only (it's £2.75 plus delivery on this web site): http://cyclax.com/item_detail.asp?product_id=1056

Griizelda

Not sure how wide-spread Saver stores are, but they're selling L'Oreal Youth Code serum for £6.49 at the moment. (Not sure if it applies to the day and night cream too - the poster only mentioned serum, but all the products were together near the till with the one price shown).

loopy_lass

sudocrem... use it on my newly healing tattoo... i have recently used it on a mega spot on my face... which turned into a huge mega mega spot... i spoke to a friend who works on a clinique counter who said it was probably the heavy oil from the sudocrem which blocked the pores more causing it all to get even worse... but im not sure... what does anyone else think?

loops

cattkitt

Have you ever tried the "oil cleansing method"?

terra_ferma

loopy_lass wrote: »

sudocrem... use it on my newly healing tattoo... i have recently used it on a mega spot on my face... which turned into a huge mega mega spot... i spoke to a friend who works on a clinique counter who said it was probably the heavy oil from the sudocrem which blocked the pores more causing it all to get even worse... but im not sure... what does anyone else think?

loops

Sudocrem is a barrier cream, it does not get absorbed and I expect it would trap grease. You may be better off buying some products specific for this use, or try the oil cleansing method (although oil is used people say it's very good for oily skin and spots - there is a thread on it).

shandyclover

I've learned alot from this thread. I especially like how some make products multi-task.

This week has been rainy and horrible in Ireland and I was too much of a wimp to brave the cold putting on body butter after showers. My my skin was feeling it. I used to use Nivea's shower oil, but can't find it anymore. Someone had given me a bottle of OS lemon shower gel. Lovely, smells like lemon curd, but I was letting my daughter use it as its really a bit too harsh for my very dry skin. The bottle was half empty and last night I got the idea to top up the rest with olive oil, and make my own shower oil! OS stuff is quite thick so I pried the cap off, topped it up and gave it a good shake, like making salad dressing. It doesn't lather much but I am really pleased with the results as the strong lemon smell overpowered the olive oil smell, and I now have lovely moisturised skin, and no need to brave the cold weather. I think I'll try it with other shower gels too.

elfen

Jergens or Dove hand cream - under a fiver for a tub, lasts for ages and REALLY moisturises hands/feet/knees/elbows.