Hey there, friends of Live Well Spend Well. Samantha, Katie and Kori were kind enough to let me take over this space for a day. What were they thinking, right? Oh wait, you don’t know me? Therefore, you don’t know the stink I am capable of causing? Well, maybe that’s a good thing. In any case, my name is Nilsa and I have my own little life blog over at SoMi Speaks.
Growing up, I adored my grandmother. I looked forward to the annual trips from St. Louis to Washington DC, where she would dote on me for a week at a time. We’d go to the many museums downtown. We’d visit my grandfather at his liquor store, mere steps from the Capitol, where I was always put in charge of lottery ticket sales. I played dress-up with her jewelry. Watched while she put on her make-up everyday.
One memory emblazoned in my mind from that time is her bottle of Oil of Olay. She used it for as long as I can remember.
When I finally graduated college, I decided it was time to be a grown-up. That included beginning to care for my skin. Since I really didn’t know where to start, I started with what I knew. Oil of Olay. Throughout my 20s, I used this moisturizing cream. Day and night. Not realizing I was supposed to be using something different depending on whether the sun was up or down.
During those years, to be honest, I had great skin. Well, after that little acne attack that I took care of through lethal drugs from my dermatologist. But, I’m not here to talk about that. That time of my life gifted me with smooth, supple skin. It was never dry. It always felt smooth. Little did I know, it’d all change in my 30s.
My skin this decade has been more challenging. Granted, I’m not as diligent about washing and moisturizing twice daily. Shame on me. But, my skin, it’s gotten dryer. Some creases have begun to show. It’s no longer smooth and beautiful the way it once was. I varied my washing and moisturizing routines, but was having trouble finding one that worked. One where I really noticed a difference, an improvement in my skin.
A couple years ago, I got a good tongue-lashing from the woman I was using as a make-up artist for my wedding. My skin was DRY! She gave me a very expensive, designer moisturizer for the months leading up to the wedding with strict instructions to use it every night. Wanting to be a beautiful, glowing bride, I followed her instructions. For months. I even purchased the $70 tub of cream when her donation ran out.
And you know what? I didn’t really notice a difference. And so, about a year ago, I was done with the expensive treatments. I wanted the ease and inexpense of over the counter. And more importantly, I wanted a product that worked. So, I returned to that handy jar of Oil of Olay (though, now I think they’re calling it Olay Complete).
It’s taken some time, but I really have noticed a difference in my skin. It’s not as dry as it once was. And while some of the wrinkles are here to stay, I have noticed a slowing in their growth. So long as I continue with my daily morning routine of Oil of Olay (and my night routine of a moisturizer made specific for night), I truly believe my skin will continue to improve.
Olay Complete. $8.49 – $10.99 for 4 oz at local drugstores and Drugstore.com.
Carrie
I’ve been using this stuff since I also decided to “grow up” there in my 20s, and I had run out of the uber-expensive Mary Kay moisturizer that I was suckered into buying from the over-zealous MK lady–and LOVED, yet could NOT afford.
I’ve never gone back. It’s a wonderful thing….
(…and…I don’t moisturize at night! I know! shhhh! That MK lady will HUNT ME DOWN if she finds out! And she lives 8 hours away!)
January 29th, 2010 @ 12:44 pm
Jess
You know, I tried Oil of Olay when I started taking care of my skin. The cream was even purple! It seemed meant to be. Except that it made me greasy and I broke out (which I never normally do). So I switched to the Aveeno Ultra-Calming line, and I love it. I guess we have different skin types!
January 29th, 2010 @ 12:57 pm
Jen
I love Oil of Olay! I’ve been using it for years, except for a few times I tried some more expensive stuff, and just like you, I didn’t notice much difference. I don’t have CLEAR skin (HUGE pores, ick, and occasional breakouts) but I do have young-ish looking skin. I credit Oil of Olay (and genetics, of course)
January 29th, 2010 @ 1:05 pm
Busty Satan
I too prefer the drugstore moisturizers. Cetaphil and I have a longstanding relationship that neither department stores nor dermatologists have ever broken up.
January 29th, 2010 @ 1:09 pm
Lizzie
Oil of Olay is so cheap and tends to do the job pretty well – AND you can’t argue with the price!
January 29th, 2010 @ 1:37 pm
brookem
i love oil of olay, and my grandmother also swore by it. these ladies were on to something!
January 29th, 2010 @ 1:55 pm
Ris
I love Oil of Olay but they recently changed the formula of the moisturizer I use and now it’s icky and grainy and smells like sunscreen. Sad day. I’m on a quest to find new moisturizer…
January 29th, 2010 @ 2:34 pm
Kristin
I too go el cheapo with my moisturizer. Aveeno Positively Radiant is my poison!
January 29th, 2010 @ 3:40 pm
Lisa G.
Hmmm…I’m afraid I might be the cheapskate of the bunch. I love Oil of Olay, and when I do actually buy the real thing, my favorite stuff, which is Oil of Olay Complete for Sensitive Skin (fragrance-free and with an SPF of something like 15 or 30), it’s usually because I have a coupon for an Olay skin product. If I don’t have said coupon, I will sometimes buy the generic version of Oil of Olay, which is Oil of Beauty at Wal-Mart, and might come in other forms at other places; I’m not sure. Really good stuff either way, although I prefer the real Oil of Olay. It feels a bit lighter and absorbs into the skin quicker.
January 29th, 2010 @ 6:35 pm
Katie
I like drugstore brands, too, but I’m loyal to the Eucerin daily moisturizing lotion with SPF 30. But when I run out, I might try Oil of Olay!
January 31st, 2010 @ 9:16 pm
Sarah
I’ve been using Olay lately and noticing a real difference in the flakiness that used to constantly plague me. I think my skin has definitely gotten drier the last few years and needs “grown up” moisturizer!
February 2nd, 2010 @ 10:27 am