It’s time to dive into specific affordable but great products. After we’ve covered our best recommendations for saving money on skincare, it’s time to let you know which cheap products have a special place in our hearts.
What skincare is actually necessary?
We’ll go for “whatever makes you feel comfortable”. Someone with eczema will only feel comfortable with an extra nourishing face cream, but it may be completely unnecessary for someone with combination skin. It’s also true that if someone is bothered by their dark spots, others couldn’t care less. It goes down to this: if your skin feels comfortable (both physically and conceptually), you’re good.
What are the 3 most important skincare products?
Having to choose only three, I’ll just cheat my way into having two versions of this answer.
For oily skin:
- Cleanser (that removes makeup if needed);
- Multipurpose serum. This serum will need to cover your main concerns in just one step. Imagine that you have acne and dull skin, your serum will need to cover both;
- Sunscreen.
For dry skin:
- Cleanser (that removes makeup if needed);
- Multipurpose moisturizer. Even though there are several deeply hydrating serums, they will hardly be enough for truly dry skin. Your moisturizer here will also have to be multipurpose;
- Sunscreen.
Create your cheap (but good!) skincare routine with just 3 products
Now it’s time to see some examples of quick beauty routines that actually work. Check the one that suits your skin needs and give it a try. You may follow the routine as we suggest, or you can upgrade it with some affordable makeup on top!
Oily & acne-prone teenage skin
When creating a routine for acne-prone teen skin, it’s important to go for products that will address excess oil while keeping the skin hydrated. The Sophieskin Oil Stop Cleansing Gel is a good place to start. Then, we’re adding a serum that will help with blemish control, like the Revolution Skincare Blemish 2% Salicylic Acid Targeted Serum. Finally, we couldn’t not add a sunscreen! We’re going with a tinted formula, the Bioderma Photoderm Nude Touch Mineral SPF50+, but you don’t have to. Always remember to adjust your sunscreen to your needs. If you’re after sun protection, a non-tinted formula will do; if you’d like to add a little coverage, a tinted sunscreen might be your best bet.
Oily skin with adult acne
Adult acne may seem complicated to target in a routine of just 3 products, but there is a way! Start with a cleanser suitable for oily skin, such as the CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser. Then, pick a serum that not only helps refine oily and acne-prone skin, but also manages to target some signs of aging, such as Revolution Skincare 10% Niacinamide + 1% Zinc Serum. Last, but never least, sunscreen: we suggest the SVR Sebiaclear Cream SPF50+, a mattifying sunscreen chock-full of active ingredients that help oily skin maintain its balance.
Skin with dark spots
For skin affected by hyperpigmentation, the most important thing is to create a routine that focuses on sun protection and correction of uninvited dark spots. To meet this brief, let’s start the routine with a simpler cleanser, like the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water Sensitive Skin. Then, let’s go ahead with an anti-dark spot serum, like the Garnier Skin Active Vitamin C Anti-Dark Spot Serum, and a targeted sunscreen, like the Uriage Bariésun Anti -Brown Spot Fluid SPF50+. Don’t make the mistake of investing in a depigmenting serum without a good sunscreen; your anti-dark spot efforts will be in vain!
Dry & dull skin
Dry and dull skin needs nourishment and radiance, and that’s what we’ll offer with this 3-product routine. We’re starting out with the Arganicare Frulatte Vitamin C 2in1 Foaming Face Cleanser, then following up with the bioten Vitamin C Day Cream. We’re piling on the vitamin C, but why not? Vitamin C is the go-to ingredient when trying to fight off skin dullness. Finally, we’re wrapping up this radiance-boosting routine with the Garnier Skin Active Vitamin C 2in1 Brightening Serum Cream SPF25.
Dry skin with rosacea
Dry skin can be challenging enough, but dry skin with rosacea or couperose can be especially difficult to deal with. You need to be extra careful with the products you choose. A good tip to cheat your way into a gentle and effective routine is to pick products specifically made for rosacea-prone skin, and to avoid fragrances whenever possible (although hypoallergenic fragrances can also work!) For this routine, we’re cleansing with the Nivea Soft Cleansing Milk and nourishing the skin with the SVR Topialyse Barrier Cream. For sun protection, we’re going with the APIVITA Bee Sun Safe Hydra Sensitive Soothing Face Cream SPF50+.
Lastly, keep in mind that you can always mix and match different products from the suggested routines. If you also need ideas on how to conjure a great routine, check out our routine recommendations based on the Baumann Skin Type.
