If you’ve put off purchasing the skincare items you really need because caring for your skin seems like a luxury you just can’t afford, it’s time to revisit your daily regimen and make room for smarter, more budget-friendly skin care products. Learn how to make the most of your skincare budget, starting now.
Staying within a budget shouldn’t have to mean sacrificing quality. In this article, you’ll learn how to pare down your skincare regimen to include only the absolute necessities, take advantage of multi-tasking products and substitute cheaper options for pricey products. You’ll also get product suggestions for quality skincare items priced under $40, including some the whole family can use.
Embrace multi-taskers. The first step toward becoming a smart shopper is to take advantage of products that help with multiple skin concerns, saving you time, money and precious space in your bathroom cabinet. Start with only the items you really need – a cleanser, moisturizer and treatment product – and add “extras” later.
Budget picks:
Cleanser. Philosophy Purity Made Simple ($20) is a true multi-tasker, which acts as an all-in-one cleanser, toner and makeup remover.
Moisturizer. Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 ($14) is an Allure Best of Beauty winner and an ideal daily product that shields your skin from damaging UV rays while also infusing it with moisture.
Treatment product. NeoStrata Ultra Skin Smoothing Cream AHA 10 ($35) is a great way to exfoliate and moisturize your skin. This oil-free cream fades hyperpigmentation and smoothes rough skin, and can even help reduce the appearance of large pores and post-breakout redness and marks.
Replace pricey daily products. You can save a considerable chunk of money just by focusing on cutting costs on your everyday products. For example, Good Housekeeping suggests skipping pricey eye makeup removers and instead just using plain baby shampoo (a generic drugstore brand works just fine). Baby shampoos are designed to be “tear-free,” making them ideal for the eye area.
Budget pick:
- Walgreens Baby Shampoo ($3.99) is hypoallergenic, soap-free and tear-free – an excellent alternative to eye makeup remover.
Reconsider eye cream. While it’s crucial to pamper and protect that sensitive skin around the eyes, you may not need a separate product. According to Real Simple, “Traditional moisturizer is usually OK to use around the eyes, but if yours causes stinging or burning, use an eye cream.” If your everyday moisturizer doesn’t irritate your eyes, it’s probably fine to skip that fancy eye cream.
However, if you have specific concerns you’d like to address – dark circles, fine lines or puffiness – your regular moisturizer might not be enough. Luckily, many eye creams are designed to address multiple concerns, at a reasonable price.
Budget pick:
- Neutrogena Healthy Skin Eye Cream ($13) contains several potent anti-aging ingredients – alpha hydroxy acids to smooth lines and wrinkles, vitamins A, C, E and B5 to moisturizer and protect and Melibiose, an ingredient that comes from sugar and helps firm the skin.
Share with the whole family. When it comes to the basics – everyday essentials such as sunscreen, body washes and body lotions – look for products that are suitable for the entire family. Your local drugstore is a great place to find unscented, no-frills products that are gentle enough for the little ones and simple enough for the man of the house. Purchase items in bulk when possible, which will save even more money.
Budget picks:
Be smart about SPF. Broad-spectrum sun protection is a crucial part of every skincare regimen, but with some formulas costing upwards of $50, it can be hard to justify using them on a daily basis. Instead of getting caught up in advertising hype, rely on SPF products that are affordable enough to use every day. For the face, a moisturizer with SPF makes sun protection an easy daily habit; for the body, choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
Budget picks:
Earth Science Almond-Aloe Facial Moisturizer, SPF 15+ ($9.95) is a natural facial product formulated without parabens or irritating ingredients, and not tested on animals. This lightweight moisturizer is ideal for warm weather and contains antioxidants to protect against free radical damage.
- Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Sport Zinc Oxide Formula , SPF 30+ ($14.99) is a great choice for the whole family. This zinc oxide-based formula originates in Australia and offers superior protection whether you’re swimming, biking or just hanging out. Priced at under $15 for five ounces, this bottle should last through several family outings.
Staying within a skincare budget shouldn’t restrict you from buying the products you really need. By shopping smart and considering your purchases carefully, you can get more for your money and rest assured that you’re using high-quality products, without spending beyond your means.
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See also:
Beauty on a Budget Handbook
At-Home Waxing: An Inexpensive Alternative for Busy Working Women
Budget Beauty for the Office: 15 Affordable Finds
9 Easy, Effective At-Home Exfoliating Treatments