Best Cheap Benzoyl Peroxide Cleanser: AcneFree Review

I first tried AcneFree's benzoyl peroxide cleanser several years ago because it looked like an affordable alternative to the Proactiv cleanser that I was using back then. The two products seem similar, but let me tell you, the AcneFree version is so much better! This review will focus on AcneFree's Oil-Free Acne Cleanser, but I am also going to include comparisons to Proactiv's Renewing Cleanser, just in case any of you are thinking of making the same switch that I made.

AcneFree Oil-Free Acne Cleanser 8 oz. bottle

First, I'll list the similarities between these two cleansers. They both have a cream-like texture and supposedly contain "gentle exfoliating beads." They both contain 2.5% benzoyl peroxide and can be purchased alone or as part of a three-step acne treatment system. And both the Proactiv cleanser and the AcneFree cleanser are packaged in cylindrical bottles.

That's where the similarities end.

In fact, the exfoliating beads in the AcneFree product are very tiny microbeads that add a bit of exfoliation without causing you to feel as though you are rubbing course sand around on your skin. I haven't used the Proactiv cleanser in about five years, but back then, that's about what the product felt like.

Another difference is the size of the bottle; AcneFree gives you 8 ounces at an extraordinarily affordable price (see pros below), while Proactiv only gives you 2 ounces, and at a much steeper price.

AcneFree bottle size compared to ChapStick

But the most important difference of all is that, on my skin, AcneFree has worked a whole lot better than Proactiv ever did. I have taken to using this every morning in the shower on my chest, upper back, and face. It works okay on my face, but it has worked miracles on the persistent acne on my chest and upper back. As long as I cleanse with this about every 24 hours and then apply a topical salicylic acid gel, my chest and back stay clear. If I deviate from this routine at all by using a cleanser other than AcneFree, skipping a shower, etc., then my acne returns with a vengeance.

Anyway, here are a few more details...

Pros:

•  It works! (For me, anyway. Everyone's skin is different, especially when it comes to acne.)
• Creamy texture is gentle and easy to spread.
• Large 8 oz. bottle lasts a long time.
• Easy to dispense; no lid to unscrew.
• Bottle doesn't leak easily, so I can keep it in the shower.
• Readily available at mass merchandise stores, drugstores, and online.
• At my local Walmart, I only pay about $6 for an 8 oz. bottle. At Amazon, you can order a pack of three 8 oz. bottles for only $13.47 (as of this posting, anyway).

Cons:

• As with all products containing benzoyl peroxide, it may bleach your washcloth and towels. I use white washcloths to avoid this, and I've never had a problem with it bleaching clothes or anything after I've dried off, even though I use it on my chest and upper back.
• The inactive ingredients (listed below) have changed a couple of times in the years I've used this, which is annoying because I'm very careful about what I use on my acne-prone skin. It seems to keep working as well as ever, though.
• Let's face it. The packaging is sort of ugly.

Obviously, the active ingredient of this cleanser is 2.5% benzoyl peroxide. As of May 2012, here are the inactive ingredients of AcneFree Oil-Free Acne Cleanser:

Water, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Bakuchiol, Panthenyl Triacetate, Bisabolol, Benzalkonium Chloride, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Naringenin, Sea Whip Extract, Polyethylene, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Farnesol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylisothiazolinone

The top of the AcneFree cleanser bottle.

Okay, I think that's about all I have to say about that. Let me know in the comments if my review of this AcneFree cleanser was helpful, and feel free to ask any questions you have about it. I'll do my best to answer!

Best Cheap Setting Powder: Ben Nye Neutral Set Review

Last time I wrote about my favorite inexpensive concealer, but that concealer won't do a whole lot for you without a good setting powder to keep it from running, settling into fine lines, or rubbing off 10 minutes after you apply it. Powder also helps to reduce shine on your face. My favorite setting powder is Ben Nye Neutral Set.

I've used this powder for several years. It's actually intended as a translucent setting powder for theatrical makeup, to keep that heavy cream makeup that actors wear from smearing, rubbing, or sweating off while they're on stage, but it works great for everyday makeup too. It is extremely affordable, but I love it so much that I use it even when I can afford more expensive products.

Anyway, the following is my review of Ben Nye Neutral Set powder!

1.75 oz. bottle of Ben Nye Neutral Set powder. Ingredients are listed near the bottom.

Pros:

• Because it is translucent, it works for any skin tone and looks way more natural than tinted powders.
• It keeps your concealer and other makeup right where you put it. Even if you sweat or rub your face against something, it won't budge. It even prevents makeup from settling into fine lines.
• It keeps working all day, and you don't have to reapply.
• It has a mattifying effect, so your face won't look shiny. If you have oily skin, you may have to reapply to keep the shine down (although I prefer to blot with a tissue).
• The ingredients in Ben Nye Neutral Set are fairly basic. Click the image above to enlarge it and read the ingredients list.
• I've never gotten clogged pores or breakouts from this, even though my skin is very prone to acne.
• Even though it's a loose powder, it doesn't give your skin that powdery look. After maybe fifteen minutes, it's like it disappears.
• It comes in 1 oz., 1.75 oz., 3 oz., and 8 oz. bottles. Because it doesn't take very much of this powder to get the job done, I've had a 1 oz. bottle last me over a year before.
• The cost varies depending on where you buy it, but if you purchase it online, you can find a 1 oz. bottle for as little as $4 plus shipping.

Cons:

• It's hard to find in stores unless you happen to have a costume store near you that sells it. I've always had to order it online from suppliers of theatrical makeup or websites like Amazon.
• Some people don't like the shaker bottles it comes in. You have to tap a bit of the powder out of the bottle to apply it. I actually like this because it keeps the powder in the bottle from getting contaminated. I have a small cup that I shake some powder into, and it's not that much of a hassle
• If you don't have a makeup brush already, you'll probably have to purchase one to use this Ben Nye powder. I would recommend the Sonia Kashuk brush pictured below. Read my review of it here.

This is an image of the 1.75 oz. shaker bottle uncapped, so you can see how it works. Also pictured is my makeup brush with some powder on it so that you can get an idea of how I apply this.

Ben Nye shaker bottle uncapped with powder brush.

That's pretty much it! I hope you found my review of Ben Nye Neutral Set powder to be helpful. :)

Best Cheap All-Purpose Concealer: L'Oreal True Match Review

For many years, I suffered from persistent acne. I still get small breakouts fairly regularly, and I have red post-acne marks that still haven't faded. I also have somewhat dark circles under my eyes, and I don't wear foundation for a variety of reasons.

In short, my concealer has an important job to do.

I am extremely choosy when it comes to concealer. I used to use two separate products, one for under my eyes and one for blemishes, because I hadn't found a product that worked as well as I wanted it to for both purposes. Also, I need concealer that will never clog pores or cause breakouts, because my skin is very prone to acne. The concealers I used to use were quite expensive, but it was worth it to me to get the performance I needed.

At some point, financial necessity caused me to start trying drugstore brands. I discovered L'Oreal True Match concealer about two years ago, and I haven't used anything else since.

L'Oreal True Match concealer.

Pros:

• I've never had it clog my pores or cause breakouts.
• It offers decent coverage of both blemishes and under-eye circles.
• It blends well and looks about as natural as makeup can look.
• The texture is good. It doesn't cake up. It's not too thin. It pretty much looks like skin once you blend it in.
• Once I apply a good setting powder over it, it stays put and doesn't settle into fine lines or anything.
• It comes in a variety of shades for different skin colors and tones. I use the fair/light neutral one, and it matches my skin tone perfectly.
• One tube lasts several months. I would estimate that I buy about two of these each year.
• It has a brush built into the cap for easy application under the eyes, and you can easily dab a bit on your finger for more control with blemishes.
• A 5.2 ml tube currently costs $7.97 at my local Walmart, which is a great price for what you get, and you may be able to find it even cheaper online.

Cons:

• There are probably concealers out there that offer better coverage or look even more natural.

L'Oreal True Match concealer brush.

Honestly, I can't find much fault with this concealer. It does exactly what I want it to do. Actually, whether you're strapped for cash or not, I would recommend this concealer.

I hope my review of L'Oreal True Match concealer has provided some useful information. Until next time!

Best Cheap Cotton Rounds: Dollar General Brand Review

Last time I wrote about my favorite toner, which costs less than $1.50 for a 16 oz. bottle. Today I want to talk about my favorite cheap cotton rounds, which I use to apply that toner.

They are the Dollar General brand cotton rounds, which only cost $1 for a package of 80. If you live outside of the United States, or if you live in Alaska or somewhere else that doesn't have a Dollar General store, then I apologize. You probably won't be able to buy these. For everyone else, the following is my review of Dollar General brand cotton rounds.

A partially used package of Dollar General cotton rounds.

These cotton rounds aren't perfect, but they actually work better than some of the most expensive brands I've tried. I used to use Swisspers Premium hypoallergenic cotton rounds, which also come in an 80-count package but cost three times as much as the DG brand rounds. Swisspers cotton rounds are the best I've tried, and these DG rounds are not as good, but for the amount of money I'm saving, they're good enough.

Pros:

• Like Swisspers Premium rounds, these DG rounds are quilted, which makes them better at picking up stuff like makeup and oil from your face.
• They are 100% cotton, so they're hypoallergenic, very absorbent, and gentle. I also like that it's a pure product.
• Unlike some more expensive rounds I've tried, these never leave lint or strips of cotton on my face.
• They're flat and dense, so they don't poof up, and they swipe easily across your face.
• The package has a resealable zipper.

Cons:

• Unlike Swisspers, they are not stitched around the edges, so they tend to stretch a bit as you use them (see pictures below). I've never had them fall apart enough to render them unusable, though.
• While they don't leave lint on my face, they do leave lint on my fingers (see picture below). I think it's because I apply pressure with my fingers in one position, so when I pull them away, some of the wet cotton sticks to them. On my face, I simply swipe across, so the cotton doesn't stick. I should note that this doesn't bother me, because I just wipe the lint back onto the round when I'm done with it. No big deal.
• I once bought a package that appeared to be full of defective rounds. They were fluffy, as though the layers hadn't been properly stuck together. I've been using these for about a year, and this only happened once, so I think it was probably just a defective pack. I guess that's one of the risks you run when purchasing dollar store products. 

DG cotton round before use.

DG cotton round after use.

Lint left behind after use.

That's about it! Hopefully my review of Dollar General cotton rounds has helped you decide whether you think they're worth a try. In my experience, they are the best cheap cotton rounds for when you're really strapped for cash, and after all, that's what this blog is all about!

Best Cheap Toner for Acne-Prone or Dry Skin: Generic Witch Hazel Review

I have combination facial skin. My forehead and chin are oily and prone to acne, whereas my nose and cheeks are dry and need a strong moisturizer. I use toner morning and night after cleansing but before applying any other products (acne treatments, moisturizer, etc.). I like it because it seems to remove any remaining gunk that might clog my pores, and I think my skin receives other products better once it's been primed with the toner.

Previously, I used the Skin Balancing Toner from Paula's Choice. I loved it, but at $16 plus shipping for a 6 oz. bottle that lasted a month if I was lucky, it wasn't something I could afford when my finances went south.

Thus, I began my search for a less expensive toner that would still help balance my skin, prepare it for the next step in my beauty routine, and never break me out. That search ended when I found this:

16 oz. bottle of generic witch hazel astringent.

I had tried witch hazel products in the past and never had much luck with them, but I had never tried something this basic. It's 86% witch hazel and 14% alcohol. That's it. No other ingredients. I was a little nervous about the alcohol part, because I have found alcohol to be a bit harsh on my skin in the past, but it seems to be a perfect complement to the witch hazel in this mixture.

Two great things about this toner: 1) it works wonderfully and 2) it costs less than $1.50 for a 16 oz. bottle!

Pros:

• It's got a watery consistency that I like because it doesn't feel heavy on my skin.
• It feels nice and refreshing when I smooth it on.
• I've been using it almost a year now and it has never broken me out (in fact, I think it helps my acne).
• It seems to help balance my combination skin. Oily, acne-prone parts are now less oily, and it seems to soothe dry patches.
• One bottle lasts me well over two months, even though I use it liberally twice every day.
• At my local Walmart, a 16 oz. bottle of generic witch hazel currently costs only $1.44.

Cons:

• Some people dislike the way it smells. It's sort of like boiled eggs. It's never bothered me, and it doesn't linger. After it dries, you can't smell anything.
• In the winter, or for people with very dry skin, it may be a bit drying.

Honestly, I have yet to find any fault with this product. It does exactly what I want it to do, and it doesn't even put a dent in my wallet. Even when my financial situation improves, I will keep using this generic witch hazel as a toner. I would recommend it for any skin type.

I've always gotten this from the pharmacy section at Walmart, and like I said, it's dirt cheap. I would imagine you could find a similar (if not identical) product at most pharmacies and drugstores. You can also purchase witch hazel online from drugstores and some other shopping websites, although it might not be quite as cheap because you'll probably have to pay for shipping.

I know a lot of people also like Dickinson witch hazel products, which are not as cheap as the generic stuff I buy but still fairly inexpensive. They market their blue label product as an astringent for first aid and their yellow label product as a facial toner, but from what I can tell, they both contain 86% witch hazel and 14% alcohol just like the generic I buy. For some reason, the blue label product tends to cost less.

Anyway, I have found generic witch hazel to be the best cheap toner that money can buy, and I hope you'll have as much luck with it as I have (assuming my review has persuaded you :). Feel free to share your experience with it in the comments section!

Also, be sure to check out my post about my favorite cheap cotton rounds, which I use to apply this toner.