5 Affordable Skincare Items To Add To Your Routine
My skin and I have a fraught relationship. Most of the time, we just don't get along. We will have a tenuous truce, only for my skin to freak out for no apparent reason. Such was the case in late February. I had been doing my "less is more" skincare routine for the better part of six months with fairly okay results. I still got the occasional cystic spot (I don't get whiteheads very often - just random ginormous cystic spots that set up camp on my face for weeks on end) but the tone of my skin was brighter and the texture was feeling softer. And then suddenly - my skin freaked out. I had a ton of active spots that came out of nowhere. So...I decided to go all in. My less is more routine went out the window and I slowly added 5 skincare products to my daytime and nighttime skin care regimen. I am not one of those people that believes you have to spend a ton of money on skincare products. There are of course some that are definitely worth the splurge - but some things you can find affordable versions or alternatives for Below are the items that I have recently added to my routine. I have been using some of these products for about a month now and others are more recent additions that I have fallen in love with. And each item is under $20!
*Heimish All Clean Balm - $18.29
I started using this about two weeks ago and so far I love it. I had already been doing a version of a double cleanse. I would use my Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water and then follow up with a mild cleanser. But I wanted something just a tad more gentle and more effective. This cleansing balm is comparable to the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm. Minus the $30 price tag. I also love that this comes with a little spatula inside the jar so that you don't have to dip your fingers into it.
*Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser - $8.99
I discovered this while researching good cleansers for sensitive skin that didn't have any nasties in it like parabens, fragrance, etc. Unfortunately the cleanser I was using by Differin did have parabens in it. Some people care about that and some don't. I try to avoid most parabens (specifically the four nastiest ones - propylparaben, isopropylparaben, butylparaben and isobutylparaben) so I finished that bottle of cleanser and decided not to repurchase. This one has a nice creamy formula to it that leaves my skin feeling clean but not stripped.
The Ordinary Salycylic Acid 2% Solution - $5.30
I am still using Differin every other night to help with acne breakouts and overall texture. But I recently read how salycylic acid in small amounts can boost the effectiveness of retinoids like Differin. About three weeks ago I started using this SA solution from The Ordinary. I used it every other night (the nights that I am not using Differin) as well as every morning. I had two rather annoying cystic spots on my face when I started using this which healed far quicker than they normally do. I'm taking that as a good sign. The feeling of this solution is very much like a serum slightly viscose and sinks into the skin quickly. And I haven't experienced that super dried out feeling that you can get when using cream SA treatments. If you are looking for something to help with spots, I think at only $5.30 a bottle this is worth a try. It's cheaper than most drugstore treatments!
Garnier Skin Active Moisture Bomb - $14.99
I mentioned this product in my last skin care routine post and I am still loving it. It is just such a good moisturizer for oily skin. It is lightweight and sinks into the skin so nicely and leaves it feeling soft and hydrated. If you don't like the feeling of heavy moisturizers this one is a great alternative.
The Ordinary Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil - $9.80
Okay, so you're probably going...an oil. Really? For oily skin?! YES. An oil. Rose Hip Seed Oil has been shown to be beneficial to oil skin. It can help balance out sebum production and is also great for acne scarring. I had a raised scar from a particularly nasty cystic spot. The first time I used this, when I woke up the next morning the scar was significantly flatter and softer. I have started slowly using this (which I personally advise for anyone but especially if you have sensitive skin). I used this every other night after my Garnier Skin Active Moisture Bomb. I take one to two drops into the palm of my hand, and lightly pat my skin. There is no need to rub it in. It will sink into the skin. And because it is a "dry" oil, it won't leave your skin looking or feeling greasy.
The Ordinary Marine Hyaluronics - $6.80
And now for the big kahuna. Hyaluronic acid is supposed to a great hydrator for oily skin. It supposed to help balance the moisture levels of the skin by helping it to pull and retain moisture from the air. Oily skin is often a symptom of skin dehydration (the skin over-produces sebum to combat the issue). One of my main skin care goals is to balance my skin's moisture levels out. The Ordinary has two versions of their Hyaluronic acid. One derived from marine-derived water reservoirs and one with B5 in it. I chose this one because it has a lighter viscosity than the other one. If you are looking for an extra oomph perhaps try the B5 version. But this one is great if you simply want another addition to moisturizing routine. It can be applied AM and PM, but again I am slowly introducing it into my routine (this is the latest addition) and only using it a few times a week.
Skincare is such a personal thing. What works for one person may not work for anyone else, but I always love to share what I'm loving and what's working for me in the hopes that it may help one of you. What are some affordable skincare finds that you are loving? Let us know in the comments!
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