How to Cut the Cost of Your Skincare Routine
The rise of social media has made more people skincare-aware than ever. Influencers on Instagram and other platforms are constantly sharing their often lengthy skincare routines, promising viewers that they know the secret to a more beautiful and youthful appearance.
More often than not, that secret turns into several secrets which take the form of pricey branded products. But many countries have recently experienced a cost-of-living crisis. What can people do when they cannot afford these expensive creams and serums? Does their skin have to suffer too?
Happily, the answer to this is no. Your skin can be cared for just as well on a budget. The reason why is there are only a few genuinely essential skincare products and ingredients, but companies like to sell us lots of nice-to-have things too. Learning to spot the difference can save you money.
This quick guide will explain which products are essential, as well as offer several more tips to help treat your skin well on a tight budget.
- Go minimalist: According to the experts, the essentials for great skin are a cleanser, a moisturiser, and sunscreen. That’s all. With the cleanser, go for something gentle. With everything else, keep in mind that too many active ingredients can be bad. If you irritate your skin, you will inevitably try to fix the damage with yet more products. It is much more cost-effective to get the basics right.
- Don’t avoid budget brands: The key ingredients of budget skincare products are usually the same as the luxury ones. With luxury products, you are really paying for something which has, at best, a few nice-to-have ingredients thrown in. It might also have a nicer smell or texture, but in some cases, you end up paying for pure marketing.
- Compare costs: Make sure you don’t overpay for the items you choose. This is easier than ever now thanks to the Internet. Price comparison websites offer real-time tracking of the prices of various online beauty stores, so use them to make sure you get the best deal.
- Multitask: While the skin on our faces is a little bit different from our skin elsewhere, it does not mean we need separate products for every area. A decent moisturiser will keep the skin on your neck or around your eyes hydrated just as well as the rest of your face. There’s no need to use separate products for each.
- Try samples: There are just so many skincare brands today, and at any time you can expect a few of them to be offering free or cheap samples to attract new customers. Make the most of them.
- Share: While there has been a recent rise in custom formulated skincare products, those who want to save money should head in the other direction. Look for products which are suitable for all skin types, and split the cost with your partner.
It is important to maintain healthy skin, but it is less complicated and expensive than companies make it seem. You can get most of the benefits from just a few basic items which need not break the bank.
