for my summer moisturizer. It's starting to get warmer here and so my skin will soon be going from the sahara it's been to combo. Last summer I used CO Begelow's light one. It was ok but didn't do too much for controlling shine. I'd like something somewhat mattifying but not too much so because my cheeks will get dry and my skin is sensitive, especially to fragrance, but i'm not too prone to breakouts otherwise. Sunscreen and anti-aging properties would be a definite plus. Does such a thing exist? I'd prefer something fairly economical since I'm having to replace my high end stuff w/ cheaper equivalents at the moment. I'm currently using EM foundation. TIA for your help!

You might check out www.evansgarden.com
I use the foundation cream for oily skin and it helps my minerals stay and apply better. She has some really great products and chockful of ingredients. I just wish I could order more stuff but it gets a bit costly shipping and I am worried about duties.

I have been looking into antiaging stuff and it doesnt seem to be on the cheap side nor for oily skin. I guess they think only 40+ women with dry worry about aging when we should be just preventative in the first place.

I have been using Clinique Superdefence lately and it's impressed me a lot. My skin is on the oily side and I have been using the one for oily to combination skin. It leaves a matte finish and the SPF25 I thought was great for the summer months.

>You might check out www.evansgarden.com (http://www.evansgarden.com)

Thanks I'll check that out!

> I guess they think only 40+ women with dry worry about aging when we should be just preventative in the first place.

Why is that?? I totally agree. I've been having good luck w/ Boot's refine and rewind. I've found it's a good subsitute for Idealist which is much more expensive. I guess I'll just hope that that's doing something and along w/ sunscreen, it'll be be enough. I'm all about prevention (I used to work for a plastic surgeon and I definitely don't want to go that route), but w/ combo, sensitive skin it seems I'm out of luck.

I'll have to check the Clinique counters and see if they have a sample of the Superdefense. I've never had good luck w/ them although I do like that they're good about sunscreen in their products. I've never actually kept anything I've ever bought from them, including a recent purchase of their new redness cream, but I'm willing to give it a shot. Hope springs eternal!

Really the Boots is close to the Idealist? I liked the EL antiaging serums but could not bring myself to pay that kind of money. I find they really did calm my skin. Have you looked at John Masters Organics? I just ordered the vitamin c serum and the linden cleanser. There is also the green tea serum that I should have gotten instead.

Definitely protect your skin from the sun, use gentle effective products ideally if natural (but good natural not filled with thickners or low in effective ingredients). I have recently discovered parabens have been making my face sore and red for years.

For me continued use of vitamin e and c supplements and not tanning since I was 17 really made a difference in how young I look.

If budget is a concern you can also make your own stuff. Its actually fun. www.gardenofwisdom.com

>Really the Boots is close to the Idealist?

When I finished my last bottle of Idealist, started using the Boots, and didn't notice a difference. I loved the Idealist (the pore minimizer one) but needed to economize so I was happy to find the Boots serum. I've always liked their stuff and came back w/ bags full from their store both times I've traveled to the UK. I'd been using the idealist since it came out and my skin was in great shape from it, and I definitely noticed if I skipped it for a day or two. The R&R has definitely maintained it's condition so fingers crossed that it'll keep it up.

I definitely like the idea of using more natural stuff. I know just from switching from traditional foundation to minerals years ago I've noticed a huge difference. My acupuncturist is always preaching about merits of natural stuff in general so I've become much more aware of that since I started going to her. I'll have to check my labels for parabens. I've always suffered from redness, too. As for tanning, luckily I was pretty quick on the uptake from a young age and put two and two together that the sun makes me burn, hurt for a few days, peel and end up just as pale as when I started :) . Thanks for all those organic recs. I'll check those out.

You can get the Boots line in Canada now. Its at Shoppers Drug Mart though I dont know if its something they carry specifically or same as what is in the UK. I cant remember which item but there is one that is the rage right now and it keeps flying off the shelf. I didnt really look as I know it probably has parabens.

I really love Biore Pore Minimizing moisturizer, and it works great under EM for me. HTH! :)

I really love Biore Pore Minimizing moisturizer, and it works great under EM for me. HTH! :)

Wow, great minds! I was just going to post this, too!

Biore's Pore Perfect Pore Minimizing Lightweight Moisturizer w/SPF 15 is great! I got it after reading a road test article on pore minimizing products in Allure, and this one got good reviews. Costs $12.99, and works VERY well, IMHO!

For just a nice sunscreen, have you given the Eucerin Extra Protective SPF 30 moisturizer a look? This one has no fragrance, and the texture is nice.

I'd like to rec Prescriptives All You Need+ Oil Absorbing Lotion SPF15. It has a great light but creamy texture that makes my skin glow. It also really helps to absorb excess oil throughout the day. An even lighter version of this is their Comfort Lotion. It doesn't have SPF, but it's for sensitive skin. Both are fragrance-free.

My two cents worth is to suggest Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Dry Touch suncreen in SPF 30 or 45. The 50 and 70 get really geasy. Try Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel (not the lotion) undereath.

Thanks for all the recs guys. I'll definitely look into these while I'm out this weekend.

Does the Biore help w/ mattifying at all? I've never used any of their products but I'm intriqued. Esp if it works well w/ the EM. I actually have the Neutrogena dry touch sunscreen and I do like it, but I'd also like the convenience of having everything on one product. Demanding, I know!

Thanks for all the recs guys. I'll definitely look into these while I'm out this weekend.

Does the Biore help w/ mattifying at all? I've never used any of their products but I'm intriqued. Esp if it works well w/ the EM. I actually have the Neutrogena dry touch sunscreen and I do like it, but I'd also like the convenience of having everything on one product. Demanding, I know!

My experience has been that the Biore IS mattifying. I wasn't a big user of this line prior to trying this, and I really do like it. PLUS it has the SPF (which, unlike Neutrogena's great sunscreen, doesn't seem to burn my eyes) and it really sinks into my skin so quickly.

This product might be a good option for what you're looking for :)!

Ooh, I want that Biore moisturizer now!

Great! Thanks guys. I'm headed to Ulta today w/ my rewards coupon (I have NO willpower!!) and I'll check out the Biore. I'll let you know how it turns out!

I got the Biore at Ulta yesterday. I had a $5 off coupon so I got it for $8.99. If I decide to put on any makeup today I'll give it a test run.

Ugghhh....I totally understand your problem. Finding a good moisturizer for the Summer that doesn't make your skin feel incredibly greasy is really hard. I still have not found the perfect sunscreen for the Summer so I would definetly like a recommendation as well! I've heard some great buzz about a few anti aging products. When you buy anti aging kits you need to consider it as an investment. I'm currently considering ordering the Newtox Treatment line as a present for my mom. My cosmetician highly recommended it for aging skin. Has anybody here heard of it?

I'm on my third day of trying out the Biore. I really like it so far. I can definitely tell a difference in how shiney my face gets. I still need to blot halfway through the day but it's a definite improvement. I also haven't broken out or gotten any irritation bumps. There is a fruity fragrance but it seems to dissipate pretty quickly. The thing I like most about it is what a great base it makes for my foundation. It makes it look, and feel, like velvet. It seems to eliminate the need for a primer for me. This is a definite thumbs up so far. Thanks so much for the recommendation!!

Yay, Shoeaddict! I hope it continues to work well for you! :)