I want to stop using creams and all the other stuff. Has anyone ever tried this for any period of time? What did you find?

Please do not stop using beauty/skin products completely. You are bound to find the condition of your skin slowly deteriorating. Most if not all of such products do give enhancement and nutrition to the skin even if in small amounts. Besides most skin care products also protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun. Likely effects from not using could be dry skin, freckles, brown spots, liver spots and sun burns. I have seen this happen to friends who have quit their jobs and stay at home and stop using these.