Go Cheap on Skin Care

You don't have to fork out for those brand-name, top-of-the-line skin care products.

Plenty of the cheaper ones provide similar beauteous benefits, according to Dr. Amy Wechsler, dermatologist, psychiatrist, and author of RealAge's new skin care book, The Mind-Beauty Connection. Read on for her favorites.

The Cheap List
Everyone's skin is different (find out what yours is like), so if you use a pricey product that your skin likes and your budget can handle, there's no reason to switch. But if you want to experiment with drugstore-priced brands, here are a few of Dr. Wechsler's favorite beauty bargains. She loves (and uses):

• Vaseline -- it's a luscious lip moisturizer and protector. But use it at night, not at the beach. Here's why.
• Safflower oil -- it's a super remedy for gator-dry skin, especially on the legs (cracked heels, too). Find out how this common kitchen item keeps skin looking young.
• Dove and Purpose soaps -- both are gentle cleansers that won't steal your skin's natural oils. Here's why a balanced cleanser is so important.
• Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion SPF 30 -- it uses titanium dioxide to block rays, giving you strong but irritation-free protection. Here's what else you should look for in a sunscreen.

The Mind-Beauty Connection: 9 Days to Reverse Stress Aging and Reveal More Youthful, Beautiful Skin. Wechsler, A., New York: Simon & Schuster, 2008.