Sunday, January 1, 2012

Inexpensive moisturizer

I've been looking for an inexpensive moisturizer  to replace the skin program (cleanser and moisturizer)  I used to purchase through Bath & Body Works which cost around $50. Now that we're officially living on a 1/3 less income I've needed to find a cheap alternative.  Coming up with $50 is very difficult these days. :-)

This week I ran across an article about using vegetable shortening as a moisturizer. I remember an old  friend using shortening to cleanse her face and she had beautiful skin. So, my interest was piqued. Some of the comments said that their dermatologist had recommended Crisco for those with skin allergies. The only caution was to not buy generic shortening because they may have added artificial ingredients.

So, this afternoon I thought I'd try it after I took off my makeup. While my face was still wet I lightly dabbed on some Crisco. Honestly, my face feels as soft as it did while using the expensive moisturizer. The only thing I'm not sure about is using it under makeup.



I save my Altoids containers (the ones that hold mints) which worked perfect to store the Crisco. I placed the container in my medicine cabinet. One thing I've learned is that if I don't make new changes convenient then I won't take advantage of them.

I'm very hopeful that this will be a natural and inexpensive alternative to an expensive product.

35 comments:

  1. I'd be interested to know if Crisco works in the long term. I sometimes use olive oil because I heard a preacher say that when he was growing up in Israel, his grandmother or mother would rub olive oil into their skin. It is a bit sticky and thick but I've found I used it on my legs and arms where I have dry skin. I used cooking grade, extra virgin olive oil. It isn't terribly inexpensive but it lasts a long time and certainly much less than $50. If I was using it on my face (which I haven't yet), I might want to try a lighter form of oil.

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  2. BTW, I like your container for the Crisco.
    I forgot to mention that a friend I went to university with never used products on her face. She used Apple Cider Vinegar and her face simply glowed. I know there are instructions on the world wide web so you can google it if you want to try it. ACV isn't very expensive.

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

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  3. Coconut oil is sooooo good for all that ails ya.

    We have coconut oil here, but I use moisturizer sparingly and it lasts 3/4 of a year. When that runs out, I will use coconut oil. Thanks for the tip!

    Hugs,
    Carol

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  4. People with naturally oily skin might find oil and shortening wrecks havoc with them until their skin finds a new balance.

    I have oily skin, but it's becoming less so as I age. I use olive oil on my hands during the winter months, and I love how it actually soaks in, rather than staying on the top like lotions.

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  5. Who'd a thunk it? Good idea! I've heard the same thing about Coconut oil too. Thanks for sharing...

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  6. I have just found your blog, and am so thrilled to have done. I, too had a huge change in my circumstances this year and now live on much less than before. Thank you so much for your inspiration and helpful ideas.

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  7. Olive oil turns rancid if left on the shelf too long so when I buy it in the large bottle, I pour some into an older "small bottle" and keep the big one in the fridge. It solidifies when cooled but when I need more, I let it sit out until it warms and melts again before pouring more into my "useable" bottle.

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  8. @Joyful I can't imagine using cider vinegar. I would think it would dry out the skin. I'm curious though and will have to search it out sometime. I also have thought about using olive oil. I know women use it to cleanse.

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  9. Hi there, when I used the olive oil, I kept a rather large (500 ml) jar in my bathroom and had no problem with it going rancid. Perhaps partly due to it being cooler where I live and I always have the fan on in the bathroom to make sure it isn't stuffy in there. As for the cider vinegar, it isn't drying at all....at least not for my skin which is sensitive. I just don't find it that convenient though because you have to mix it every day in the water. There is a specific way to use it also. which is why I suggested a google search. I got my directions from a Bragg book on ACV. I also found this site which incorporate various plants and ACV. http://www.care2.com/greenliving/apple-cider-vinegar-skin-tip.html

    On another matter completely, you asked about our health care plan and whether we have to wait a long time to see the doctor. The cost of health care in Canada has skyrocketed, like it has in a lot of places; probably due to the baby boomer generation retiring from the work force and more people needing health care in general. This fact has eroded the wonderful health care system we have always known so now we have very long waiting lists to see specialists of any kind. As for seeing my doctor I can do that on very short notice. If I called up tomorrow, I can get in within a day or two and she only works part-time. It isn't so easy if you live in a smaller town or city where there is a real shortage of doctors. Many of them followed the "money trail" to the south. I'm not sure whether we are still losing a lot of doctors to the USA. Other countries in turn lose their doctors to Canada. For example, we seem to recruit a lot of doctors from South Africa.

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  10. not as low cost as your Crisco, I use Ponds cold cream and moisterizer. I usually buy them onsale, they last a long time and are very simple and economical compared to many skin care regimins.

    hope whatever you use that it works well.

    Have you used crisco at night? My concern would be that it could stain your clothing and pillowcase.

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  11. For a facial moisturizer I use Loreal daytime with SPF 15. It's thin and light. I was using it at night, but then my dad's girlfriend gave me some Mary Kay nightime, so I am using that.

    My dilemma has been that I don't want to continue to pay $5-$7 for Jergans body lotion, even though I love it. I put a bottle of baby oil in the shower and use that on my wet body, then pat dry. It works well, but I am a little shiny! I also make sure I use a seperate towel for my hair.

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  12. If you've read the book (or movie) "the Help" it talks about ALL the things you can do with Crisco.
    I just bought a bottle (maybe 5-6 oz) of glycerin. My face is so dry. I use one drop, ONE DROP, after I was my face and its still damp. Glycerin holds in moisture instead of putting it on. I don't recall how much the bottle of glycerin was. But its going to last a lifetime. I'm thinking of adding a little glycerin to my hand lotion.

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  13. When I'm using Crisco when I'm cooking, I always rub it all over my hands when I'm finished, and it makes them feel wonderful..I'll have to try it on my face.

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  14. @Debbie's Garden.... is that Vegetable Glycerine? I happen to have a large 16 oz. bottle in my cupboard. :-)

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  16. I used to use coconut oil until I read that oils that solidify at room temp can clog pores and cause problems. So, I now use olive oil instead. Your blog is awesome!

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  17. I also use olive oil on my skin and face. I keep it in a small pump. Have for several yrs. You can mix a little vit E with it in your hand for at night.
    Great topic here! I tryed the coconut oil but it doesn't absorb very well to my liking.
    God bless, Sharon

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  18. Hi again, just wanted to say I tried the Crisco on my face for two nights now and I like it. I added some lavender essential oil (which perhaps I shouldn't do for my face and exzema patch but I love the smell!). Anyway the Crisco seems fine so far and helps the itch I feel. I may not use it every day but it is an alternative based on my little experience, your experience and a little research. Thanks for the lead!

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  19. this is quite interesting. Years ago the native Americans who lived here used grease from animals--bear grease, etc.. to protect skin.
    Personally I have sometimes used a scrub made from olive oil and kosher salt on my hands--they can get rough sometimes. I don't usually use a face cream so can't add to that. :) I use light olive oil--don't know if it matters--but also add a little lemon juice is nice. ;)

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