Skincare is a great tool to not only improve your body, but your mind as well. Unfortunately, high quality skincare items can be really expensive, and cheap skincare items can be really harmful to your skin.
I searched the Internet and was able to find inexpensive skincare items that are still really great for your skin. This includes:
- Cleansers
- Moisturizers
- Sunscreens
- Serums
- Face Masks
Please note: If any of the products mentioned below appeal to you, make sure you test a small amount of the product on your wrist first before using it on your face in case your skin reacts to it.
Everyone should be able to take care of their skin, regardless of what kind of products they can afford. Let’s take a deeper look into the world of affordable skincare!
Cleansers
Cleansers are a classic staple to any skincare routine. You should be cleansing your face often; many people choose to do so every morning, every night, before they put on makeup, or after they take off makeup, etc. You’re going to want something that makes your skin feel clean, but nothing that’s too stripping either.
Here are some wonderful cheap options for you It has been separated by type of skin for extra ease:
Dry Skin:
- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser (13.52 fl oz for $14.99)
- Vanicream Gentle Face Cleanser (8 fl oz for $8.86)
Combination Skin:
- Earth to Skin Super Greens Nourishing All Over Serum (2 fl oz for $8.94)
Oily Skin:
- CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser (16 fl oz for $15.99) *I personally use this one, and so far it’s amazing!
- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Facial Wash (13.52 fl oz for $14.99)
Keep in mind that some of these cleansers have smaller, less expensive options, which is great if you just want to test the product first before committing to the bigger version.
Moisturizers
Moisturizers are perfect for making your skin feel fresh and smooth. Once again, they are a staple for any skincare routine, and once again, I sorted them by what works best for each skin type (as someone with oily skin, I know that using a moisturizer for dry skin would make my skin feel so gross):
Dry Skin:
- CeraVe Moisturizing Cream (19 oz for $16.08)
Combination Skin:
- CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion (19 oz for $17.78)
Oily Skin:
- Versed Dew Point Moisturizing Gel-Cream (2 fl oz for $14.99)
Extra:
- The INKEY List Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Moisturizer (1 oz for $9.99)
I don’t care what type of skin you have; moisturizer is a necessity. You’ll feel noticeably better and overall more refreshed when you use it daily.
Sunscreens
Believe it or not, sunscreen is an essential part of any skincare routine, regardless of what time of year it may be. Sun damage can cause a lot of wear-and-tear on your skin which could lead to cancer; going without sunscreen is just not worth the risk.
- BurnOut Sunscreen SPF 35 (3 oz for $15.89)
- This one is great for all skin types and doesn’t leave much of a white film whatsoever.
- Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion (3 oz for $14.31)
- This is great for dry skin.
- Bare Republic Mineral Body Gel Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 (4 fl oz for $16.99)
- A great option for oily skin. While it says it’s a body sunscreen, the ingredients are essentially the same as the face sunscreen they offer. The price for the two is about the same, but the body sunscreen comes in bigger quantities, so that seems like the better deal to me.
- Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Oxide Dry-Touch Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion with Broad Spectrum SPF 50 (2 fl oz for $10.97)
- A great option for sensitive skin, but you really have to work it into your skin, so it isn’t visible on your face.
- All Good Sport Sunscreen Lotion Water Resistant SPF 30 (3 oz for $13.99)
- As the name implies, this sunscreen is great if you are active or participate in sports, especially since it’s water-resistant.
Mineral sunscreens are typically the best kind to go with. Also, keep in mind that many experts consider sunscreen to be the most important part of a skincare routine, so don’t ever take this step lightly.
Serums
Serums are not essential in a skincare routine, but they can serve as a great addition if you find that your skin needs a little extra care.
- The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (1 oz for $5.90)
- Will help with sebum control, can reduce sensitivity, and get rid of dark spots and pigmentation.
- The INKEY List Q10 Antioxidant Serum (1 oz for $6.99)
- Will reduce sensitivity, work as an antioxidant, fight off damage throughout the day, is hydrating, and will tighten the skin.
- The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA (1 oz for $6.80)
- This serum is gently exfoliating, but if the 10% version is too harsh for your skin, they have a 5% serum as well.
- The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum (1 oz for $9.99)
- A great serum for damage repair and anti-aging.
Face Masks
There are tons of face mask options out there (and I’m not talking about the pandemic-related ones). Like serums, face masks are not an essential part of a skincare routine, but they can be a great addition. Not only are they proven to be helpful, but truthfully, they can be quite fun to use.
Here’s a couple of safe and fairly cheap face mask options to check out:
Hydrating:
- First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask (2 oz for $24)
- This one is a little expensive, but it’s a solid option in order to get some good hydration. Also, what could be more fun than an oatmeal mask?
Exfoliating:
- The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution (1 oz for $7.20)
- Alright, a lot needs to be said about this peeling solution, so make sure to read this carefully before making the decision to purchase it. When I say this product is effective, I mean it. It helps get dead skin cells off your face, but it’s also an incredibly strong solution, so you have to be very careful when using it (you shouldn’t use it more than once a week).
- It’s also important to note that if you choose to use this product, you absolutely have to wear sunscreen.
Not all face masks, especially cheap ones, are good for the skin. A bad face mask can quickly cause a nasty chemical burn, so it’s important to find face masks that will actually make a positive difference for your skin.
How Do I Know Which Type of Skincare Products Are “Good”?
Knowing the difference between an effective skincare product and a useless one can be ridiculously tricky, especially because there are so many different brands and products.
Being able to differentiate between the variety of skincare products really comes down to the ingredients of a product. A good rule of thumb when it comes to skincare is to avoid any skincare products with a lot of fragrance or alcohol, as both can be damaging to the skin.
Of course, there is still more to know when it comes to ingredient lists which can be a little overwhelming. I’ve learned that when in doubt, turn to professionals. If you don’t want to go see a dermatologist or esthetician yourself, there are many reliable sources of information online as well as plentiful recommendations on various forms of social media, including TikTok.
This includes people such as @dermdoctor and @dermbeautydoc. I would also like to mention @skincarebyhyram. While he isn’t a dermatologist or esthetician, he is a skincare specialist and is very knowledgeable of skincare ingredients and figuring out which products are best.
What Is Some Basic Skincare Knowledge That Everyone Should Know?
- Don’t put coconut oil by itself on your skin.
- Don’t use makeup wipes (they’re too harsh for your skin).
- Always go for fragrance-free products.
- DIY face masks are usually not a good idea.
- Always do a double cleanse (aka wash your face twice). This especially applies if you wear makeup.
- Try and be gentle with your face, especially around the eye area.
- Try to break the habit of touching your face.
Of course, it’s important to remember that not all products will work for everyone, so it’s always a good idea to test a product before you commit to it. Once you find what works best for you, you’ll be set!
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