How to Find Low Cost Quality Skincare
It's not surprising that no one wants to be dropping hundreds of dollars on their skincare routine each month. People gotta make a living, they got other bills to pay. Many people (most actually) are living on a budget, but that doesn't mean they have to sacrifice the quality of their products for a reasonable price point. In fact, there are a number of affordable options within the skincare community that can actually provide the same level of effectiveness as their high-end counterparts. If not, even better. Let’s explore some of the best low-cost skin care options that can help you achieve healthy, radiant, perfect skin without emptying out your wallet completely.
The basics
First, let's start with the basics: cleansing.
Cleansing your face at least once a day (preferably at night before you go to sleep) is necessary for maintaining healthy skin. Luke warm water and the right cleanser work together to remove the dirt and oil buildup from the day and any makeup you’ve applied. These small molecules when not removed from the skin can clog pores and lead to breakouts. I know, the worst, and there’s such an easy solution. There are many affordable cleansers on the market that are gentle on the skin and effective at clearing those pores.
One affordable cleanser that’s worth picking up is the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. This is a non-foaming cleanser which means it’s not stripping your skin of its natural oils making it suitable for all skin types, meaning it’s suitable for you. Cetaphil offers almost any skincare products you can think of, all of which are formulated with gentle, non-irritating ingredients. They specialize in products for sensitive skin. This cleanser in particular is free of fragrances and harsh ingredients, so it won't irritate the skin and it can be found at almost any drug store in the beauty section.
Another great option is the Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash. This cleanser is formulated with a fun ingredient called salicylic acid. Salicylic acid gets deep into your pores to help clear breakouts and prevent future ones from forming. Neutrogena can also be found in most drug stores and they too offer a wide range of skincare and beauty products. Their formations are effective and science-backed. This is a great affordable face wash option for skin types and concerns.
Exfoliation is another important step in any skincare routine, as it helps to remove dead skin cells and unclog any of your seriously clogged pores.
There are two types of exfoliation: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliation involves the use of a scrub or brushes to physically remove dead skin cells, while chemical exfoliation, utilizes alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) to dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells. There are many affordable options for both types of exfoliation. With either, be sure to start small and be gentle, you are removing dead skin, but if you’re not careful, you can remove too much dead skin and accidentally remove some living skin too. Ouch.
For physical exfoliation, check out the St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub. This scrub has gotten a lot of backlash from people misusing it, but it is a budget-friendly physical exfoliation option. This scrub uses small bits of apricot seeds to gently buff away dead skin cells. Be gentle when using this product. Physical exfoliation can be harsh, but if done properly can be very beneficial.
For chemical exfoliation, try out The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution. This toner is a great option that uses glycolic acid (as I’m sure you can guess from its name) to gently exfoliate the skin. Glycolic acid is a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that is derived from sugar cane and has wonderful exfoliating and skin-renewing properties. When applied to the skin, glycolic acid helps to remove dead skin cells, and improve the texture and tone of the skin. It even stimulates the production of collagen, which can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Moisturizing is an essential step in any skincare routine for keeping the skin hydrated and supple.
It’s important to buy products that are formulated for your skin type, this is especially important when shopping for a moisturizer since your skin type is primarily based on your skin’s hydration needs. And, hydration is what a moisturizer is made for.
For those with dry skin, the Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer is a great affordable option with a non-greasy and quickly absorbing formulation.
For those with oily skin, the Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture is a lightweight water-based option that doesn’t leave a greasy residue or further clog your pores.
For those with normal skin, the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream is formulated with advanced anti-aging ingredients, including amino peptides and vitamin B3. This formula address some other skincare concerns you may have such as your appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
For those with combination skin, the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Moisturizer is another oil-free moisturizer that is formulated with sebum-regulating technology to help reduce shine and control oil production. Combination skin is somewhere between oily and normal skin so this non-greasy and non-irritating formula is perfect.
Sunscreen, if you forget everything else in this blog and only remember this, then that is 10000% okay. Sunscreen is non-negotiable. And, it must be worn every day. The skin is partially vulnerable to the sun and sunscreen protects it from harmful UV rays that can lead to premature aging and skin cancer. Yeah, you read that right, skin cancer.
Wearing sunscreen daily is essential for protecting your skin from the harmful effects of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. Sunscreen blocks UV rays from piercing the skin, preventing all those negative effects. Sunburns, premature aging, skin cancer, ick. When spending time outdoors in the sun, it is extremely important to wear sunscreen, but it is also just as important to wear sunscreen on cloudy days. The sun’s UV rays are strong and can penetrate through cloud coverage still reaching the skin and causing damage. To work most effectively, you must reapply sunscreen every two hours, or immediately after swimming or sweating.
The Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen is a budget-friendly sunscreen option that provides broad-spectrum protection (that means it protects the skin from all the rays of the sun) and has a non-greasy formula that absorbs quickly into the skin.
In addition to these basic skin care products, there are also many affordable options for specialized treatments.
If you're dealing with acne, the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment is a budget-friendly option that uses salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide to help clear breakouts and prevent new ones from forming.
For those looking to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, the XYZ skin Bounce Back Serum is an affordable luxury option that uses a combination of tremella mushroom and hyaluronic acid to plump and firm the skin. Giving you that glass-skin look.
Overall, it's possible to reach any of your skincare goals while on a budget, effective affordable products exist, it may just take a little trial and error to determine the perfect routine for you and your skin.
