Building an Affordable Skincare Routine
To build an affordable skincare routine…
the easiest place to start is at the basics with:
a cleanser
a moisturizer
and a sunscreen
These three parts of a routine are non-negotiable and the simplest a skincare routine can get. Each product is responsible for a specific need the face on your skin desires each day. To be clean, to be hydrated, and to be protected (I mean, isn’t that what we all want at the end of the day).
c l e a n s e r
cleansers help to remove any and all the dirts and oils that accumulate on your skin throughout the day.
m o i s t u r i z e r
moisturizers help to protect the skin barrier and restore hydration.
s u n s c r e e n
sunscreen protects the skin from damage done by the sun which is a leading cause for visual aging.
A cleanser gently cleans the skin of dirt and oils that build up on the skin throughout the day. It also is responsible for removing any makeup or other pore-clogging ingredients that you may be wearing on your face.
A moisturizer helps the skin hold on to and adds moisture, typically in the form of water, to the face to hydrate the skin. A good moisturizer will include ingredients that both hold water to the skin and add additional water which it then can hold against the skin.
A sunscreen works hard to protect the skin against sun damage. Sun damage can appear on the skin as age spots, wrinkles, and overall aging of the skin. Sunscreen typically comes in two forms: chemical and physical.
If you have any particular skincare goals in mind, a number of affordable serums and oils can be added between these three steps to help you reach the skin of your dreams.
Choosing an affordable cleanser…
When choosing a daily cleanser, you want to look for something gentle and soothing for the skin, but also strong enough to remove the dirt from the day.
Some good affordable examples include:
Krave Beauty’s Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser for $16
This cleanser is formulated with coconut-based surfactant which deeply cleanse the skin without stripping the skin of it’s natural oils.
Innisfree’s Hydrating Cleansing Foam for $10
This cleanser is formulated with naturally derived surfactants from green tea root which allows this cleanser to clean the skin and format foam-like microbubble consistency when lathered.
Choosing an affordable moisturizer…
When choosing a daily moisturizer, it’s important to determine the right moisturizer for your skin type. Read more about how to determine which skin type you have here.
If you tend to have more dehydrated and dry skin, you should look for a thicker cream whereas if you have oily skin you should reach for a thinner formulation. Even if you have oily skin, it’s important to use a moisturizer anyway. A potential cause of oily skin is the overproduction of oil to make up for a lack of moisture. With the right moisturizer, you may find your face’s oil production decreases.
Some good affordable examples include:
Kiehl’s Ulta Facial Cream with Squalane for $22
This thick moisturizer is perfect for the winter months for intense hydration. Formulated with squalane oil, this moisturizer softens and moisturizes the skin.
Inky List’s Omega Water Cream for $10
This thinner moisturizer is an oil-free, ultra light-weight moisturizer has been formulated to help regulate the face’s oil levels and even out skin tone.
Choosing an affordable sunscreen…
When choosing a daily sunscreen, any sunscreen is better than none. There are two types of sunscreen - mineral and chemical. The difference is how they protect the skin from the rays of the sun.
Mineral sunscreen act as a physical barrier, sitting on top of the skin and not letting UV rays touch the skin’s surface (think like covering your face with a thick blanket).
Chemical sunscreens undergo continuous chemical reactions with the sun’s UV ray’s actively converting the dangerous light into a less dangerous byproduct.
Some good affordable examples include:
Etude’s Sunprise for $12
This mineral sunscreen has a smooth, non-sticky finish. Formulated with aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, it is deeply moisturizing.
Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen for $12
This chemical sunscreen absorbs into the skin quickly for an invisible light weight feel on the skin.
Addressing Specific Skincare Concerns…
Depending on your goals, different oils and serums may work best for you. These additional active ingredient should be applied after washing your face but before your moisturizer. If you want to stack your active, apply each oil or serum in the order of importance to you. Using the building blocks described above, serums should be applied as the second step in a routine.
Cleanser
Actives (oils and serums)
Moisturizer
Sunscreen
XYZ skin offers three high quality luxury facial products all formulated to address different skin care concerns. Intentionally priced a fair wage ($15), these are the perfect addition to an affordable skin care routine.
