Although the name of our current TV show may suggest otherwise, I'm actually not a big beauty product junkie. I have one blush, one black eyeliner, one kind of shampoo, one moisturizer...you get the idea. Between my sensitive skin and my budget-consciousness, striking a balance can be tricky, but one product line keeps me coming back for more...

I don’t experiment too much, especially with skin products, because I have very sensitive skin and I’m prone to contact dermatitis, which in layman’s terms is known as hideous skin rashes. As a result, I keep my beauty arsenal lean and mean.  Heavily perfumed products are definitely out, as fragrance is a major cause of skin irritation.Through trial and error of what works for me and what doesn’t, I have now confirmed my favourite product line: Aveeno.  It’s a drugstore brand at its best, both effective and affordable.  (And let it be known, I’m getting no endorsements from them!) If you have sensitive skin too and are on a beauty budget, here are my five favourites:

Bath:

When my skin is dry and itchy, I settle into a tub with the Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Foaming Bath.  The bath foam contains colloidal oatmeal which is supposed to be soothing on the skin.  Don’t expect big bubbles, which is a good thing, as foaming agents can be irritating as well.  A few of their bath and shower products are scented so if you’re really sensitive, go with a fragrance-free product.

Face cream:

I use Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with soy and an SPF of 30. I’m not sure if the soy is doing any good, but it’s one of the few daily facial moisturizers I’ve found that is both light and hydrating, without being greasy.  (The last drugstore brand I tried gave me a rash on my forehead.  Not a good look for the cameras.)  It also doesn’t have the chalkiness or dryness some SPF products can have.

Body lotion:

I hate it when I get beautiful hand creams and body lotions as gifts, only to have to give them away because they’re overly-scented and therefore off-limits.  I have to stick to the basics, like the Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion.  Basic, it but does the job.

Sunscreen:

When I travel, I always take Aveeno Sunblock Lotion SPF 30.  It’s oil-free and non-greasy and I’ve never broken out using it, even when I put it on my face.  I also like that it comes in a smaller bottle (109 mls) which can be a better fit for smaller suitcases.

Shave Gel:

The shaving gel was the product that started it all, as other shaving creams and gels were giving me rashes on my legs.  The Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel is completely fragrance-free and also contains the oatmeal, leaving a smooth shave with no irritation.

I have not tried any of the Aveeno hair products yet, but they’re next on my list.  And the money I save going the drugstore route for all these products I can spend on buying perfume, which for some reason has no adverse effects on me.  Go figure!  

Aveeno products are available at your local drugstore, and also online at: