GREAT site for anti-aging skin care. Non-biased; make-your-own stuff.

[lildreamer316]

http://www.smartskincare.com/

"SmartSkinCare.com is an independent skin care information portal for savvy consumers. We don't sell skin care products or cosmetics. Nor do we endorse skin care manufacturers. Our goal is to help you make genuinely informed choices in skin care and rejuvenation."

I did lots of reading here,and then got one of the infopacks (DIY Skin Care) by submitting a review of medication...yes, if you don't give a review you have to pay for the infopack, but it's not much, and I learned how to make my own fairly stable vit. C serum for under $20 (I spent $16, actually). LOTS of great info here.

Also, I highly recommend anyone who is interested in combating signs of aging and oily skin/pore problems to check makeupalley.com and do a search for retinoids. I've revamped my whole routine (whereas I used to do almost nothing) and have narrowed it down to 3 essential ingredients: Sunscreen, BHA, and a retinoid. I also use AHA on my body (old acne scars on shoulders and back).

I got this book recently: http://www.randomhouse.com/bantamdell/skintype/

and using my own common sense, combined with the other two resources, have a good regimen for my face without spending a fortune.

I used to think I didn't need to do anything for my skin...I know different now. I'm 34, so I figure I'd better get on the ball before menopause kicks in.

Hope some or all of this can help someone!

[Dora]

1. I use ascorbic acid powder to make my own Vit. C toner.

At $6 per bottle, it can't be beat. It works as well as the serum I used to buy at $50 per bottle.

[flying_wahini]

2. how do you make it and does it work well?

[Dora]

3. Water and ascorbic acid powder.

I mix a quarter teaspoon or so of ascorbic acid with some water in a small cup and use that on my face. For a while I was mixing powder with water and storing it in my med cabinet, but I didn't trust how well it was keeping. Now I just use it "fresh" when I want it.