Ambi Fade Cream is about $8 right now on Amazon. Though I’ve purchased or sampled nearly every sunspot treatment on the market, Ambi Fade Cream holds its ground with the $50 or $100 treatments, despite its price tag.
It really all comes down to the ingredients, delivery system, and user’s skin type and concerns. While price sometimes means greater quality, there are exceptions to that rule in every industry, including beauty. With that said, there are my picks for the 10 best beauty buys on Amazon:
1.) Ambi Fade Cream ($7.98)
Ambi Fade Cream does in fact work. For the exceptionally low price, it sounds almost too good to be true, but it isn’t.
A 2% concentration of hydroquinone is the secret to Ambi Fade Cream. Generally available over-the-counter in 2% concentration and in prescription formulas in 4% concentration, hydroquinone has been FDA-approved for the treatment of freckles, melasma, and general brown patching since 1982.
Hydroquinone works by inhibiting the activity of tyrosinase, the rate-limiting enzyme of melanin production, and by increasing the cytotoxicity of melanocytes (melanin-producing cells). Its efficacy has been well-established over time, including in a 2003 study in The International Journal of Dermatology, where it was found to reduce signs of hyperpigmentation associated with melasma by a whopping 76.9%, beating another skin whitening complex at 66.7%.
Hydroquinone has a bad rap, but it is considered to be safe and effective by most dermatologists. According to renowned dark skin expert Dr. Susan C. Taylor, M.D., a Philadelphia-based dermatologist, “The maximum levels of hydroquinone currently allowed (2 percent for over the counter, 4 percent for prescription) aren’t dangerous. At worst, it might cause redness or irritation, but only if your skin is sensitive or allergic to the medication.” Dr. David J. Goldberg, a clinical professor of dermatology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, agrees, “Over 100 scientific articles confirm hydroquinone is a safe topical for humans; no independent studies prove the opposite.”
Hydroquinone has specifically been associated with skin darkening when it is used in conjunction with resorcinol, another ingredient commonly found in skin-lightening creams (Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 1997; American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2001).
With that said, expect Ambi Fade Cream to improve signs of hyperpigmentation (i.e., uneven pigmentation, age spots) within four to six weeks of daily use. In addition to 2% hydroquinone, Ambi Fade Cream also contains soy protein and lactic acid, which have both been demonstrated to have milder but still mentionable effects on hyperpigmentation as well. As far as drugstore products go, I have not found one better for signs of hyperpigmentation than Ambi Fade Cream.
2.) Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunscreen SPF 70 ($9.09)
As far as drugstore sunscreens go, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunscreen SPF 70 is the best.
First, the UVB protection here is incredible, with SPF 70 blocking approximately 98.6% of the sun’s short-wavelength burning UVB rays.
Secondly, the UVA protection is arguably the best on the market with the addition of HelioplexTM. A stabilized, patented combination of oxybenzone and avobenzone, HelioplexTM has been demonstrated in clinical tests to provide longer-lasting UVA protection than most other sunscreens. Since long-wavelength UVA rays are responsible for many of the signs of aging, this is an incredible finding.
HelioplexTM is even more photostable than even Mexoryl, another leading UVA absorber found in L’Oréal’s products.
Third, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunscreen SPF 70 simply doesn’t leave a white cast on the skin. It dries and absorbs into the skin beautifully.
Hence, if you are looking for the ultimate in sun protection, it’s safe to say thatNeutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunscreen SPF 70 is amongst the very best.
3. L’Oreal True Match Foundation ($7.99)
This is a fantastic medium-to-heavy foundation that comes in an assortment of 30+ different shades.
Silicones found in this product like cyclopentasiloxane are quadruple threats, acting as silky moisturizers, conditioners, solvents, and delivery agents for other skin care ingredients. It wouldn’t be possible to have the performance of L’Oreal True Match Foundation without silicones; the entire concept of having a product simulataneously hydrate, protect, and prime the skin for additional product is all attributable to silicones.
This fantastic foundation also wears well, lasting all day. While it contains vitamins A and C, the open-neck bottle and low concentration of these ingredients make them more supplementary than actual reasons to buy. Rather, the cosmetic performance of L’Oreal True Match Foundation makes it a must-buy!
4. Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner ($8.58)
Many eyeliners contain a combination of waxes and silicones to provide a gliding, non-irritating, lasting sensation.
However, Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner ($8.58) also contains ozokerite, a type of fossil wax derived from minerals. Ozokerite thickens the oil portion of Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner and prevents it from separating into its oil- and water-based components. Ozokerite also lessens the brittleness of the stick eyeliner, holding it together and preventing it from breaking (CosmeticsInfo).
Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner has a matte finish, lasts a long time, and is highly pigmented. It glides on easily and can be easily removed with baby oil or makeup remover. It does smudge — it even has a tool to smudge further on the end — but I’ve been using it for years, and have found that it wears better for me than any other drugstore brand than I’ve tried.
5.) Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment ($6.39)
Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment contains Avena sativa (oat) flour, which has to be one of my all-time favorite moisturizing ingredients. Believe it or not, it is so effective that it is regulated by the U.S. FDA!
Oat flour contains agents that soothe, hydrate, and fight inflammation in the skin, including protein, lipids, enzymes, saponins, prostaglandin synthetic inhibitors, vitamins, and flavonoids. Oat also binds to the skin extremely well, as it has a lower pH than human skin.
Johnson & Johnson, the parent company of Aveeno, also claims that their oat extract reduces itching and inflammation similar to mild prostaglandin inhibitors (source). I know that I have sensitive skin that often breaks out from trying so many products, and each time, I turn to the Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment for a fast recovery. I especially love these convenient packs, which keep the bath clean, simple, and delivered in the right amounts.
6.) Neutrogena Moisture Shine Lip Soother SPF 20 ($9.16)
Neutrogena Moisture Shine Lip Soother SPF 20 has it all.
The SPF in this lip gloss (a rarity) knows it is important for the prevention of skin cancer, early signs of aging, and to protect my lip lines from fading with time.
Yet the girly-girl side of me refuses to retreat to a boring colorless balm with SPF. The solution? Neutrogena Moisture Shine Lip Soother SPF 20. I sound like an advertisement, but it comes in an array of colors, provides enough shine, and has a neat cooling effect without the drying menthol most lip balms have!
7.) Cover Girl Last Blast Mascara ($9.50)
As I covered once in a post on the Science of Mascara, you need four things for maximal lash length and volume:
- Long bristles. To create voluminous lashes, you need to layer mascara on each lash. Your eyelashes will only grab as much mascara as a single stroke of the brush can apply from root to tip. A long-bristled brush maximizes the application of as much product as possible in a single stroke. The result? Thicker, more voluminous-looking lashes.
- A silicone or rubbery brush. The cushion will expand and retract based upon the thickness of your eyelashes (Milady Standard Cosmetology). If you apply mascara made of a cushiony material to your eyelashes, the brush will “give” more against thick eyelashes and “push back” more against thin eyelashes, so you end up with more even application of product.
- A waxy formulation. These mascaras typically have three major components: waxes for light, smooth, even application; pigments for color, definition, and depth; and resins to maintain texture, composition, and to keep the formulation in solution (Milady’s Encyclopedia of Hair).
- A brush that can be moved from side-to-side easily. A bigger, thicker brush results in bigger, thicker lashes because more product is applied to each lash with every stroke. Similarly, if you extend lash-brush contact surface area by wiggling the brush ever-so-slightly from side to side, taking care not to move the brush off of the lashes, you will end up with a better application of product.
Cover Girl Last Blast Mascara has all of this, and a price tag under $10! By far, the best drugstore mascara I have ever tried.
8. Olay Regenerist ($16.19)
Did you know that the sales of the vast majority of big-brand moisturizers will peak within the first two years, and then dwindle as customers move on to the next well-marketed sensation?
I don’t have the sales data, but my gut feeling is Olay Regenerist sales are still strong, even after well over a decade. Though Olay tried to launch Regenerist, Total Effects 7x, and Definity, Olay Regenerist has remained my favorite, with niacinamide, palmitoyl pentapeptide-3, dimethicone, vitamin E and green tea.
Niacinamide has been found in numerous independent research studies to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness (yellowing), and increases elasticity.
Palmitoyl pentapeptide-3 (in concentrations between 2-8%) has been found to individually provide increased collagen synthesis and natural production of hyaluronic acid in the skin.
Vitamin E (tocopherol acetate) is an excellent antioxidant with a high environmental protection factor (EPF), and green tea is established as one of the most potent topically applied antioxidants as well.
This product also contains many amino acids — Alanine, Arginne, Betaine, Glycine, Lysine, Proline, Serine, Threonine — that have been shown to stimulate skin function in many peer-reviewed studies.
It’s the best moisturizer buy on Amazon under $20!
9.) Olay Quench Body Lotion ($14.68)
Olay Body Quench Lotion is very hydrating, but it has also been proven to have anti-aging effects as well.
Like Olay Regenerist, Olay Body Quench Lotion contains a fair concentration of niacinamide, which will hydrate, eliminate sunspots, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles just as much to the body as it will to the face.
Realistically, after three months’ daily use of Olay Body Quench Lotion, your skin will besignificantly smoother and softer (almost a complete turnaround), sunspots will be reduced slightly (my best guess is 30%), and wrinkles will be somewhat less noticeable (my best guess is 10-20%).
Other beneficial ingredients in Olay Body Quench Lotion include hydrating petrolatum and dimethicone and antioxidant vitamin E. The product also contains titanium dioxide, so it offers some level of sun protection, although not likely very much, so still use a sunscreen on exposed parts of your body!
10. Biore Pore Penetrating Charcoal Bar ($10.63)
If you’ve tried everything for blackheads, large pores, and oily or acne-prone skin, try this.
For hundreds of years, charcoal has been used in holistic medicine as a deodorant. This is due to charcoal’s high oxygen content and absorptive properties: When charcoal comes into contact with decomposing matter, it releases oxygen and absorbs malodorous gases within the air.
In dermatology, topically applied charcoal is similarly known to draw out impurities from the skin. Limited research in the journal Dermatology also suggests that charcoal may be useful in the treatment of certain skin diseases, including porphyria. The charcoal powder in the Biore Pore Penetrating Charcoal Bar gives the formulation its characteristic “black” hue, as well as in absorbing excess oil.
One word of note: Charcoal can also be drying to normal-to-dry skin types, so if you notice drying, reduce use to once per week or discontinue altogether.
Bottom Line
There are many amazing beauty products available at the drugstore and on Amazon — you just need to remember to concentrate on ingredients, delivery systems, and your skin type and concerns for skin care, and ingredients, durability, and applicability for cosmetics!
If you have questions, let me know in Comments!
Please note: All prices are accurate on March 05, 2015, and are subject to change in the future.