With the rise of the cosmetic industry, we are often oversaturated with hundreds of different brands and products whether we walk into Sephora or go online to TikTok’s beauty community. It can be overwhelming and confusing to figure out which product works best for your particular skin type when we are flooded with advertisements and social media posts recommending us different things.
I am personally very interested in skincare and want to navigate the best products for my specific skin type; however, it is difficult because most brands that beauty influencers recommend are usually over my budget. This made me believe that I had to use high-end products from luxury brands to have the best results. However, this wasn’t the case. I’ve used products from Dior and even purchased the popular Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C serum but it did not perform as well as I expected–I was disappointed as I spent $45 on a small-size serum that lasted maybe less than two months. It was until I came across recommendations of affordable products (that works) which proved to me that you can still get high quality at low prices.
Here are six of my favorite budget-friendly skincare products:
1 The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm
$10.99
The perfect product for double-cleanse after wearing makeup. My previous routine involved wiping my face with makeup remover, followed by a massage with cleansing oil and a rinse with water and face-wash. However, Instagram and TikTok influencers emphasized double-cleanse with a cleansing balm to gently dissolve excess makeup. So, I now make sure to wash my face with Inkey before my actual face cleanser…and let me tell you it is wonders! I notice a clear difference with the brightness of my face from this one product.
2 The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
$10
This went viral on TikTok and the $10 price convinced me to test it out for myself as it seemed to good to be true. The toner works for all skin types and solves dullness and uneven skin textures. It is also widely known to be good for exfoliating and lightening the underarms. It is advised however limit the frequency as it includes alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun–I personally apply the toner at night to prevent direct contact with the sun.
3 Innisfree Intensive Hydrating Serum with Green Tea Seed
$28
I love the cool and refreshing effect of a nice serum and Innisfree offers exactly this. The formula infuses Green Tea Tri-biotics and hyaluronic acid, which retains moisture and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. The serum absorbs great and improves the skin barrier. Definitely the go-to if looking for serum that does the job and is on the cheaper end.
4 Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
$17.99
Another lightweight and cool product is this Neutrogena moisturizer–my all time favorite. It is amazing to layer on top of the Innisfree serum as it hydrates my face. I find it great for my oily, acne-prone skin (also good for dry skin) and does not disturb my skin. The water gel also includes hyaluronic acid.
5 Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
$36
To finalize your skincare routine (that is before applying makeup), generously coat your face with SPF! I have been searching for the right sunscreen that was lightweight and translucent, something that doesn’t leave me looking pale with white excess. Luckily, Supergoop has various types of game-changing SPF products, the Unseen Sunscreen being a matte and invisible formula. This particular formula feels great under foundation if you want more coverage. Definitely a cult-favorite that is worth the investment.
6 Kopari Beauty: KP Body Bumps Be Gone with 10% AHA
$24
This is not for the face but more for the body. If you suffer with body bumps on your arms, underarms, or legs, I recommend using this scrub twice a week when showering. I also recommend using this scrubs to exfoliate your skin before shaving to prevent razor burns.
I bought their mini travel-size scrub to try the product out, and I will definitely be purchasing the regular size in the future!
Taking care of our skin should not be expensive (although I am all for fancy self-care) or intimidating. There are always cheaper alternatives and sometimes they are more effective than luxury ones!