Good Looking Loser's Guide to Inexpensive Skin Care Part I - The Daily Routine

Good Looking Loser's Skin Care Guide

medical disclaimer: this is not medical advice, Good Looking Loser is a smart but generally immature 30-something year-old guy. The suggestions below come from personal experience but are not meant to replace the advice of a dermatologist. See our Medical Disclaimer for more information.

affiliate disclaimer: some of the links in our 'Guide to Inexpensive Skin Care' are affiliate links. This means - at no expense to you, we get a small commission if you make a purchase. Nearly all of these recommendations will be less than $1 a day. We are not recommending these products for the fat stacks of cash, we are recommending them because they are VERY GOOD and inexpensive. Thank you if you purchase via our links, this is the only way our community makes money.

Welcome to "Good Looking Loser's Guide to Inexpensive Skin Care".

It is a 5-part series that covers -

1. Less Than $1 Daily Skin Care (this page)
2. Less Than $1 DIY Once-A-Week Blackhead Volcano Facial
3. The Cure for Dry Skin
4. Botox & Prescription Drugs
5. Good Looking Loser's Guide to Tanning

I've waited about a year to release this, I've actually learned quite a lot about skin care and I have significantly better solutions to offer you than a year ago.

I also have some help of my former hair stylist in San Diego turned Playboy Playmate "Melissa" on the anti-aging suggestions. Unlike most girls that just spit whatever they are told by cosmetic representatives, she has always had a good grip on what actually works and what is junk.

Compared to the other topic we discuss, I'm no expert on this subject - but I know more than most guys, I have lived with girls that both worked as assistants for a cosmetic surgeon in Westwood and most importantly - I've found some inexpensive solutions that have been working for me.

You will like all of my inexpensive recommendations - I guarantee it.

The Daily Routine recommendations will cost you less than $1/day.

Good Looking Loser's Background

It's worth giving you a brief history of my skin so you can put it my recommendations perspective. 

I'm currently 31 years old.

In the past few years, I've noticed that my age is certainly showing as compared to my youthful 20's.

It's not completely a bad thing, I still look quite masculine and often get compliments so long as I'm below about 13% bodyfat. But I do have a new found desire to slow up the clock a little.

I was "that kid" in high school that looked 18 when I was about 14 or 15 years old. I was "that kid" that wouldn't get carded when buying alcohol when I was just 18. I've always been 'more mature' on the looks side. I've never looked "young" as compared to others my age.

I'm not genetically prone to acne.

I'm not genetically prone to dry skin but I am effected by dry climates. 

My skin, naturally, is actually quite good.

I tan without burning and never get pimples or blemishes.

I do get a lot of blackheads and tend to have semi-oily skin.

Other than wearing SPF when in the hot Florida sun for more than 1 hours or tanning, I didn't make a significant effort to moisturize or protect it in my 20's, something I should have done more of.

However, I did use anabolic steroids in my 20's and developed ridiculously strong facial muscles that led to some very deep lines on my forehead and strong smile lines. I have no crows feet whatsoever (lines to the side of the eyes) or fine lines though.
(steroids don't "cause" aging per say, your facial muscles can get stronger and cease the skin to a greater degree - often from intense facial expressions while training)

Realistically, I was not expecting any skin care routine to make me look like a teenager again. You shouldn't either.

This guide is meant primarily for ANTI-AGING, as a prevention measure - which you are encouraged to start BEFORE you are 30 years old.

With that said - you will still likely notice that you do LOOK YOUNGER and healthier if you follow our suggestions for a few months.

The suggestions can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles but will not reverse large ceases.  

I suggest that you follow both the Daily Skin Care and Once-A-Week Facial suggestions.

My Results (Before and After)

Here are my 'results'.

My skin is noticeably more clear, I look a bit younger.

The routine is mainly for prevention and anti-aging and I have no doubt that it is helping.

Before Skin Care Routine
(includes Part II - Volcano Facial)

After Skin Care Routine
(~3.5 months)

Yes, the lighting and angles are different in the photos, I still have creases but they are somewhat less visible. They are working fairly well though.

My routine consists of two parts:

1. Daily Skin Care
2. DIY Once-A-Week Inexpensive Blackhead Volcano Facial (Part II)

We will cover the Daily Skin Care in this discussion.

Daily Skin Care Routine

There are only 2 things you 'need' if you are younger than 25 years old.

They cost less than $1/day.

If you are older than 25 or look older than your age - I recommend 3 things, depending your tolerance to sunlight exposure.

These daily measures will certain help slow aging - but they can also make you look somewhat younger.

Cleansing (Mandatory)

You should wash your face 2+ times a day.

As some of you guys know, I no longer use or suggest ANY type of facial cleanser or body wash. 

I use only ONE thing for my face, body, hands, etc. -

• "Nubian African Black Soap" is ALL you need.

It is like washing your face with lotion. It smells amazing too. You might not need the moisturizer either.

It's not like the other "hippie soaps" that do nothing - this is legit.

• Here is my full writeup on this soap.

Moisturizing (Mandatory)

If you don't have a issues with dry skin or you live in humid regions of the country, this might be optional.

The soap above might be enough, it is THAT GOOD.

It will help slow the aging process, however, so I suggest you consider it.

Before you go to sleep, put Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil all over your face, lips and neck.

You can use it during the day, but I don't recommend it because it is a strong tanning catalyst and if can make your eyes red if it gets in there.

It's not bad to put the Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil on your face after you shower or shave when your pores are open - it has antibacterial and antiviral properties as strong as soap but FAR LESS HARSH. It might help prevent breakouts if you are not significantly prone to acne.
(if you are genetically prone to acne - check with your doctor if you should be using oil-based moisturizers)

A little tub of this stuff will last you at least 6 months, unless you start eating it (which you can do).

I will talk about the 'cure' for dry skin in Part III.

This is the brand I use and recommend, for skin care and cooking -

• "Nature's Way Pure Extra Virgin Coconut Oil"
  (this tends to be expensive in stores, buy it online)

* Protection (Optional)
(People who spend >30 minutes in the sun or go tanning)

If you are sensitive to sunlight, burn easily or plan to spend more than 30 minutes in the sun - you'll want to have some high-quality SPF that is also a moisturizer on hand.

Put it on 30 minutes before you go tanning or if you are going to be in the sun for more than 30 minutes.

The strength is largely based on how sensitive you are to sun irritation or burning.

• If you have fair skin and burn easily - use SPF 70 or greater.
• If you don't burn easily - you should use SPF 30 or greater.

I am now of the opinion that you should not EVER expose your face to sunlight to acquire a tan.

There are WAY BETTER, WAY SAFER ways that we will discuss in "Good Looking Loser's Guide to Tanning (Part V)".

This is the kind I use, you can pick it up at your local drug store for a similar price -

• "Aveeno Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50"
  (it is way better than Hawaiian Topic, Banana Boat, etc.)

* Anti-Aging Serum (Optional) 
(Consider if over 28 years or if you look older than you are)

There's a compound that hot girls know about that we do not.

It's called "Hyaluronic Acid" and it's time you learn about it.

In short, Hyaluronic Acid, naturally found in your body, is the single most important compound in producing collagen, skin cell repair and promoting a youthful appearance.

As you age, your body produces less Hyaluronic Acid which directly causes aging and lead to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

If you topically supplement this compound, you may significantly slow the aging process.

It is one of the only non-prescription compounds that can make a significant difference.

This is your best 'natural' weapon against fine lines and wrinkles.
(it will not reverse deep creases, unless injected by a dermatologist)

There is a significant amount of clinical support for Hyaluronic Acid as well-

• "Hyaluronic acid in the treatment and prevention of skin diseases: molecular biological, pharmaceutical and clinical aspects"
• "Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging"
• "Hyaluronic acid gel fillers in the management of facial aging"
• "Use of hyaluronic acid fillers for the treatment of the aging face"

I recommend this specific Hyaluronic Acid Product (reviews are great so I decided to try it) -

• "OZ Natural's Hyaluronic Acid with Vitamin C and Amino Acids"
  (this is the only recommendation that won't last you 6+ months)

Although you can never start Hyaluronic Acid (prevention) too early, I suggest that you wait until you are 28 to consider it.

Use as directed.

Final Word

These inexpensive suggestions can make a significant difference if you haven't made the effort to take care of your skin.

They will also be better than the vast majority of over-the-counter garbage that is generally is just a temporary "fix", if it does anything at all.

They are less inexpensive and probably as effective as marked up department store solutions that contain the exact same ingredients.

The African Black Soap can be used as a cleanser (and light moisturizer) for your entire body.

The Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is better than any high-priced moisturizer and might even help prevent breakouts.

* The Sunscreen will protect you from the sun.

* The Hyaluronic Acid can make a significant difference in preventing aging. 

"Good Looking Loser's Guide to Inexpensive Skin Care" continues here -

• "Good Looking Loser's Guide to Inexpensive Skin Care Part II - DIY Blackhead Volcano Facial"

If you have any questions or comments, I prefer if you ask them in the Good Looking Loser "Get Groomed" forum.