From cleansers and toners to serums and moisturizers, it’s no secret that building a skin care routine can be pricey. Like, ivy-league-tuition pricey.
Two years ago, Byrdie reported that the average woman will spend more on skincare than the cost of Harvard tuition. This fact isn’t all that surprising, considering the fact that in 2018, the skin care industry reached a value of close to $135 billion USD. On an individual level, those numbers are even more impactful; the SkinStore found that the average American woman spends around $3,000 a year on facial care products.
Hard to fathom? Allow me to demonstrate how much that number really means.
With $3,000, you can buy a round-trip flight to Honolulu — with cash to spare. You can replace that old laptop of yours with a shiny MacBook Pro, or you can stock up on an entire new wardrobe.
You could take that money and put it towards a cause that you’re passionate about. But instead, we’re throwing it all away for some shiny goop made from rare, hand-harvested seaweed and infused with tropical botanicals. Or something like that.
Well, there’s no time like a new decade to get over a bad habit. I’m so over breaking the bank to fix a breakout, so I’ve decided to give expensive brands the boot and stick to the products that don’t make me look for a second job. This Valentine’s Day, I’m going through a skincare breakup, and these budget-friendly, lasts-forever products are my rebound!
Cleanser:
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, Consonant Beauty Natural Foaming Face Wash
Toner:
Mario Badescu Witch Hazel and Rosewater Toner, The Body Shop Seaweed Toner
Serum:
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid Serum (or literally any The Ordinary serum TBH)
Moisturizer:
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizing Gel
Mask:
Lush Don’t Look At Me Mask, The Body Shop Tea Tree Mask