Our wallet-friendly skincare routine

With our tips for healthier, hydrated and smoother skin, you can build a fantastic skincare routine with a selection of affordable options.

Are you struggling with clogged pores or feel like you’re in a daily battle with acne? From dull and dry skin to irritating flare-ups, they’re not just uncomfortable, but can knock our confidence too.

Sometimes you can make a difference, just by rethinking your skincare routine. Layering a few different products can help you treat different challenges your skin is facing so you finish up with an all-over glow. Of course, there is a world of products out there promising miracles if you part with a hefty sum, but can you get a similar effect with a budget skincare routine?

We say yes, but it begins with considering what actually works best for you and your skin. Of course, there are key stages that you shouldn’t skip, from investing in a really good cleanser, but one that doesn’t strip away natural oils. 

Moisturising is also pretty sacrosanct. The right moisturiser can work wonders for smoothing away blemishes, softening skin and giving you back that youthful elasticity. 

Just remember, you need time and patience to get the best results. Dermatologists and skincare specialists advise using a product over six weeks, once or twice daily, to see improvements. Anyone promising a quick-fix skincare routine might be making a promise they can’t deliver. 

So, now that you’re in it for the long-haul and are going to keep an eye on your budget, what sort of products should you be looking out for?

 

Can you get good skincare on a budget?

It’s tempting to buy the most expensive creams and products with the assumption that they bring the best results, but this isn’t necessarily true.

Employing the simple, three-step approach towards cleansing, toning and moisturising can keep your skin healthy and radiant. Sometimes, limiting the number of products you use is even better, rather than irritating your skin through overuse.

A gentle cleanser combined with face washing after sweat breakouts can go a long way to fresher skin, while applying moisturiser when your skin is damp will give you better results. Using simple sun protection can help prevent wrinkles and age spots, as well as long-term skin damage. 

All of these steps, plus choosing products that you know will work best for your skin type, will get you on the right path to healthier and happier skin, without having to splash out on the fanciest products and brands.

Knowing your skin type is essential, especially if you have dry skin that can be flaky or rough, oily, greasy, or sensitive skin that may sting after using a product.

Budget skincare brands

You don’t need to splurge on expensive skincare brands to look fabulous. There are some great budget skincare brands that you can use for spectacular results.

We love The Ordinary, a Canadian brand that applies a clinically proven approach to skincare with products that deliver targeted results. The Ordinary is dedicated to transparency for its customers, with no products marked up beyond affordable prices and taking a minimalist approach to ingredients, focusing only on the ones that make a real difference. 

Whether you’re looking for skin soothing or anti-ageing products, The Ordinary packs in powerhouse ingredients at some pretty impressive prices, so you afford to buy several products for your skincare routine for the same price as one major-brand product.

For top-quality skincare at great value, we recommend Glossybox too. It’s not your typical online beauty store. When you shop at Glossybox, you can choose from several different subscription plans, paying upfront or monthly, to find the best plan for you. 

Receive five beauty products worth over £50 each month directly to your door. Each box contains a variety of products from some of the world’s top brands and also up-and-coming, exciting new finds.

Affordable facewashes and cleansers

Wondering what is the cheapest facewash without sacrificing quality? The good news that when it comes to effective cleansing, you can take your pick from affordable brands. 

We think The Body Shop's selection of face cleansers is amazing, especially considering the store takes a sustainable approach to developing its products.

The Camomile Sumptuous Makeup Cleansing Butter is a particular favourite, and it’s really as lush and luxurious as it sounds. 

Camomile is a magical ingredient when it comes to ensuring healthy skin. It’s an anti-inflammatory that reduces redness and skin irritation. It can even help to tackle unsightly acne breakouts. Studies have shown it can be almost as effective as a good hydrocortisone cream. 

As well as its anti-inflammatory properties, it’s also a soothing agent, easing any pain from sunburn, rashes, and mild scalds. Chamomile even has mild antiseptic qualities, meaning it can help heal open scratches and sores.

You might already be familiar with this super ingredient if you enjoy a cup of chamomile tea to help you sleep. Even as a skin cream, chamomile brings those same fabulous sleep benefits to the table. Its hypnotic effects help you get better quality sleep, the ultimate way of ridding yourself of eye puffiness and dark circles.

The best cheap moisturiser

The final flourish of your budget skincare routine, it’s really important you choose a moisturiser is formulated for your skin type.

For an effective moisturiser, we love Holland & Barret, particularly the Weleda Mini Skin Food cream. This vegan cream is delivered in sustainable packaging, which boosts your personal green goals. It has completely natural extracts of sweet almonds, rosemary, beeswax, and our best-beloved chamomile.

If you suffer from dry or rough skin, Weleda Mini Skin Food will restore it to its best with gentle application. It’s small enough to carry in your handbag, ready to use at a moment’s notice for those dry skin days. An effective and soothing moisturiser like this can utterly transform your skincare routine, and best of all, it’s a fantastic price and totally organic.

Taking good care of your skin can be done without putting pressure on your wallet. Looking after your face is an essential part of self-care, and you deserve to feel healthy, comfortable, and hydrated in your own skin. By following our guide, you can get your glow on with an affordable skincare routine, without being forced to resort to expensive brand products.

Looking for more ways to glow up? 

We're firm believers that glowing up starts from within. If you feel good, you look good. However, we know that summer often brings along pressure to look your best, so we've listed some affordable ways for you to glow up this summer that won't break the bank but will help you feel good inside. Remember: nothing looks better than confidence!