Affordable skincare - Must try alternatives
Post contains affiliate linksMany, many years ago I used to have the belief that the more I spent on a product, the better it was - where did I get this view from? I literally have no idea, I couldn’t tell you. Yes, there are some products worth paying more for depending on what it is, ingredient % etc.
However these days I have definitely found I can put together an affordable skincare routine with alternatives that are just as effective as the expensive products and I am here to share some of them with you!
The best affordable Vitamin C
Quite a lot of the time the more expensive Vitamin C serums like Sunday Riley C.E.O Vitamin C Brightening Serum 30ml for $85/£70, contain a higher dosage of Vitamin C and whilst that’s great, that doesn’t mean a lower % of Vitamin C in a product won’t be effective. *Entering the room* Garnier 3.5% Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid Brightening and Anti-Dark Spot Serum - for $14.48/£12.99! This serum is non-sticky and sinks very nicely into the skin and suitable for all skin types.
Garnier
3.5% Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid Brightening and Anti-Dark Spot Serum
 | How to apply Garnier 3.5% Vitamin C Serum |
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Although the difference is not huge and this is most likely because I have had this dark spot for many years and haven’t ever really tried to lighten it - there is a difference! With continuous use this will for sure get even better.
Those 3 key ingredients in this serum work very well together to reduce the appearance of dark spots but also visibly brighten the skin and enhance glow. In fact just the other day at work, two of my friends asked what I was using on my skin, they said my skin looked visibly brighter and this is the newest product in my routine. Thanks to the lemon extract in this, which is well known for its brightening properties, I'm out here looking like a glazed doughnut - so thank you Garnier!
The best affordable Retinol
When first starting out with Retinol it’s best to 1. Patch test your skin and 2. Find a gentle retinol to start with as a beginner. It can be tempting to jump straight to the higher % retinol that are available on the market but your skin needs to get used to it first. Which is why I recommend Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream 30ml which is $8/£8 as a more affordable alternative to, for example Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream 30ml for $74/£67.
I love how affordable skincare from Good Molecules is and how effective their products are. They’re a great skincare brand and they did an amazing job creating this gentle retinol. It is fragrance free and formulated with 0.1% retinol - lower strength retinols have been proven to be effective so don’t worry! It helps to improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and one thing in particular I really like about this retinol cream - it contains Bakuchiol. This ingredient is usually an alternative to a retinol and works fantastic on its own but using it in combination with a retinol boosts the effects even more without causing irritation - Good Molecules are so caring right?!
Good Molecules
Gentle Retinol Cream
 | How to apply Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream |
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The best affordable SPF
Ok yes, one of my favorite SPF for my face is Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF 50+Hydrating Skinscreen 50ml which is $30.40/£34 but that’s expensive isn’t it, especially because I use SPF everyday I’d have to purchase it very often. To shake things up a bit sometimes and to save myself a few dollars where I can, I recently bought, for my upcoming trip to Greece, Nivea Sun UV Face Anti-age and Anti-pigment Sun cream SPF for $15.34/£10.
You guys know how much I emphasize how important it is to wear SPF and with factor 50 this provides effective sun protection, feels light on the skin and doesn’t leave a white cast. What’s nice about this particular affordable SPF is that it is part of Nivea’s Q10 anti-aging properties which helps improve the appearance of fine lines caused by the sun. It also has fantastic UVA and UVB protection which is so important to prevent skin damage.
Nivea
Sun UV Face Anti-age and Anti-pigment Sun cream SPF
 | How to apply Nivea UV Face Sun cream |
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The best affordable Serum
I have been a fan of The Ordinary for a long time, they have great products at very affordable skincare prices - no fuss no muss. If you have skin that is prone to enlarged pores and blemishes then buying an expensive serum for daily use can add up to a fair bit! Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster 20ml for $49/£46 is a little steep in comparison to The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% for $6/£5 - yes you read right $6/£5!
The Ordinary
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Believe the reviews guys, it is such a good serum to have in your skincare collection because not only is it super affordable, it works! Niacinamide and Zinc together are two of the most effective ingredients for blemishes and together they work to minimize pores, regulate oil production, fight blemishes and improves the skin’s moisture retention.
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Apply all over the face in the morning and evening before your heavier creams.
The best affordable Cleanser
I love a good cleanser, there is nothing like the feeling of when your skin is clean with no traces of any dirt or makeup. I have used my fair share of expensive cleansers and at the moment I am actually using both my most expensive cleanser which is Tatcha The Deep Cleanse 150ml for $40/£41 and my most affordable cleanser I have which is e.l.f Holy Hydration! Daily Cleanser for $6/£6!
I rotate between the two and if I’m being honest I’m trying not to use my Tatcha one as much - why? Because I know it’s $40/£41 and I’m trying to make it last. So I’m using my more affordable one for daily use and because it works. A gel based consistency that washes off my makeup well and any excess oil, the best part - it contains two ingredients that the skin loves - ceramides and Hyaluronic acid. It doesn’t leave my skin feeling stripped, it feels soft and prepped for the next part of my skincare routine.
e.l.f
Holy Hydration! Daily Cleanser
| How to apply e.l.f Holy Hydration! Daily Cleanser |
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Affordable skincare conclusion
You see guys, there are some amazing affordable alternatives, you don’t have to break the bank to see results! Yes, the expensive products are amazing and work too but we don’t always have the luxury of buying them on a regular basis, I always switch things up because if I can achieve great results with affordable skincare, then why not right?
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