u/ShesTheWiz

Hey all!

Looking for a little advice. I'm in my late 40s and I'm just getting into skin care (I probably should've started sooner😩🤷🏾‍♀️). I was recommended to an aesthetician by my dermatologist. The aesthetician gave me a basic skin care regimen and a list of products. A few of the products were kind of pricey for my budget and so my question is, are there other products out there that are more budget friendly but would do the same job? If this is the going rate for quality products, then I will bite the bullet and purchase them but because I'm new to this, I don't know what else is out there. I've listed the regimen and products w/costs below that she recommended. Thanks in advance for your responses.

Morning:
Gentle cleanser (i'm currently using CeraVe)
Obasi Vitamin C ($115)
Avene Tolerance cream ($30-40)
CeraVe Sunscreen SPF 30+ ($18)

Nighttime:
Gentle cleanser
Alpha Retinol Overnight cream ($145)
Avene Tolerance

*Also my dermatologist recommended Revision Nectifirm cream ($65-$120) for my neck and chin area

I try my hardest not to be the complainer, but I'm so over myself and this weight. I went in today to get an MRI due to some overwhelming back pain and although I'm about 80 pounds down from the last time I needed an MRI, I still couldn't fit properly in the biggest machine. This is so frustrating and even a little scary because it's just my back today but what if it's something more serious at another time and I can't even get properly checked out. But even knowing this, I still can't make my mind up to do what's necessary to lose this weight. I don't know what it's going to take for me to reach my breaking point because as tired as I am, it still feels like I'm not there yet.😔