How to Create an Effective Skincare Routine That Costs Less
Search for skincare routines online and you will find no end of variations, typically involving several creams and serums from expensive brands. They are proclaimed as the secrets to youthful appearance, but more often than not the creators are affiliated or sponsored by the brands.
So, do you actually need to buy fancy expensive products to look after your skin? The answer is an emphatic no. There are actually just a few essential features of an effective skincare routine, none of which need to be expensive. Sticking to these essentials and cutting other things out of your routine can save you both time and money.
Below are those essentials, as well as several other handy tips to help you save on skincare.
Stick to the essentials
Some influencer’s skincare routines use so many products that they end up well into double figures. Look at what scientists tell you to do instead and you will find that there are only really three things you need – a cleanser, a moisturizer, and sunscreen. Which ones you use does not matter too much, which we will discuss more later. But as general guidelines, any cleansers you use should be gentle rather than harsh, and you do not want your moisturisers or sunscreens to have a lot of active ingredients. Too many of these can cause irritation.
Buy budget brands
What differentiates luxury and lower-end products when it comes to skincare is not how effective they are. In fact, they often have the same key ingredients. Luxury products differentiate themselves by being less greasy, smelling better, or having nicer packaging. Sometimes they have fancy extra ingredients or vitamins thrown in, but whether these really have an effect on your skin is unclear.
Get the best prices
Price comparisons are super easy to do online nowadays, so always make sure you are getting the best deals for your skincare items before you restock. It only takes a few minutes.
Multitask
It is true that the skin on different parts of our faces has different properties. The layer of skin around the eyes is one of the thinnest layers in all the body, for example. But this does not necessarily mean that a different product is needed for each area. A good general moisturizer will still protect your eyes well enough. The slightly different formula in the eye cream is unlikely to be substantially different, but will almost certainly cost more.
Share
Similar to the point above, the difference between male and female skin is also not so different that a moisturizer for one will not work on the other. Unless you are buying products which target a skin problem your partner does not share, such as dryness or oily skin, then buying one brand and splitting the cost is an option that could save you money. You probably already do this with sunscreen in the summer. Why not do it with the other products, too?
Conclusion
The essentials for healthy skin can be acquired cheaply using the tips above, and they will get you most of the results of most popular skincare routines at a fraction of the price. If you decide that you like using some expensive products, you can always add them back later.
