I love Paula Begoun! She wrote the book, “Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me.” I credit her for turning my skin around. For years I suffered from acne. I tried so hard to get rid of it! Back then I used to scrub Noxema onto my face using a wash cloth and then I’d follow it by a splash of Seabreeze. And if I knew anyone going to Mexico, I’d get them to bring me back a tube of Retin A which I would empty within a month. Paula woke me up to the damage I was doing to my skin with this insane regimen. I used to believe if my skin was tingling and red, it meant that the stuff was working and my skin was getting CLEAN! Uh, nope. I also remember in her book she actually wrote if you have a big whitehead— go ahead and pop it! That really shook me because every magazine article I ever read said NEVER pop a zit no matter what! This advice never made sense to me and caused me much anxiety– are you supposed to let the pus just sit in there and fester forever? So anyway, I subscribe to Paula’s Beauty Bulletin newsletter and a woman wrote in and asked her to recommend a good, cheap skincare routine. Here is Paula’s answer:

Here’s what I recommend to get your combination skin looking healthy, smooth and beautiful (and all of these recommendations are respectful of your budget without sacrificing product quality):

Cleanser: Clean & Clear Daily Pore Cleanser, Oil-Free ($5.49 for 5.5 ounces) or Olay Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin ($4.49 for 6.7 ounces) (

Exfoliant: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Face Lotion, Night ($12.59 for 2.5 ounces) or Paula’s Choice 8% Alpha Hydroxy Acid Gel ($18.95 for 4 ounces)

Daytime Moisturizer with Sunscreen: Avon Mark For Goodness Face Antioxidant Skin Moisturizing Lotion with Sunscreen SPF 30 ($15 for 1.7 ounces) or Paula’s Choice Essential Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 15 ($14.95 for 6 ounces)

Nighttime moisturizer for dry areas: Olay Total Effects 7X Visible Anti-Aging Vitamin Complex, Fragrance Free ($18.99 for 1.7 ounces) or Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Moisture Gel ($18.95 for 2 ounces)

Serum/specialty product: Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum, Fragrance Free ($19.49 for 1.7 ounces) or Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate ($24.95 for 1 ounce).

Your routine is as follows: Cleanse your face morning and evening (particularly in the evening, to remove makeup); follow with the exfoliant and allow it to absorb. Your next step in the morning is to apply sunscreen, and this can be followed by makeup, if desired (allow several minutes for the sunscreen to absorb/set before applying makeup). In the evening, after cleansing apply the exfoliant again (if desired; you may find once-per-day application in the morning works best) and then the serum would be applied all over your face, including around the eyes. Apply moisturizer only where needed (dry patches, perhaps the skin around the eyes). That’s it! Following this simple routine should get your skin in great shape and you can add other products only if needed.

How awesomely cheap and easy is that? I had no intention of writing about zit popping but I really just want to make sure I have this recommendation recorded somewhere for my own reference.