Skincare routines can vary as people need to customise routines to meet their specific skincare needs, and everyone has their own end goal, which can be costly. Therefore, finding the right skincare products or determining the proper routine when on a budget can be challenging.

Skincare products come in a wide range of prices, and it’s natural to wonder about their effectiveness. While some may find that pricier products provide the best results, others may find them out of reach.

The good news is that it is still possible to have a high-quality skincare routine without spending a lot of money. You can use more affordable options that provide results that are as good as those from the pricier products.

Considering this, experts at beauty and wellness marketplace Fresha, have shared their top tips for looking after your skin while on a budget:

Stay hydrated

This one may seem obvious but drinking at least eight glasses of water daily can significantly improve the look and feel of your skin. When our bodies are dehydrated, our skin can appear dull and lifeless because it lacks the natural radiance that comes with staying hydrated.

Drinking the right amount of water also helps flush out toxins that can cause skin issues such as acne or redness, so make sure to drink plenty. This will not only provide significant health benefits but will also save you some money.

If you want to add extra flavour to your water, consider adding cucumber or lemon. These can enhance its taste while providing additional health benefits for your body and skin.

Use sunscreen:

It’s important to use sunscreen consistently, not just during the summer when the risk of sunburn is higher. Even on cloudy days, UV rays can penetrate and increase the risk of skin damage. So, ensuring that you use SPF consistently will decrease your chances of facing costly skin issues and keep your skin hydrated and protected.

While it’s important to use other skincare products as well, using SPF, preferably a broad-spectrum product that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, can be a more affordable option. Your local drugstore or supermarket will have some well-priced options that could cost significantly less than other skincare products.

You can also save costs by using a foundation with SPF for sun protection in your everyday makeup routine. Another option is using an SPF that doubles as a moisturiser, saving you from buying two products.

Make your own face masks:

Making your own DIY face masks can be a fun and affordable experience. By using natural products from foods you have left in your fridge or cupboards, you can help keep your skin healthy, save money, and prevent food waste. It also means you can easily customise your mask based on your skincare needs.

Some examples of masks you could make at home are:

An oatmeal mask: A quick and easy mask that can help soothe irritated and sensitive skin. Adding warm water to ground oatmeal and applying it to your face for around ten minutes will help reduce redness and sensitivity while absorbing any excess oil.

Avocado mask: Rich in natural fats, avocados can significantly help hydrate and nourish your skin. They also contain vitamins E, and C, which can help lock in moisture and give your skin a smoother feel. Just mash up an avocado (you can add honey for extra nourishment, but this is not essential) and apply it to your face for around 15 minutes to see the benefits.

You can use a wide range of food products for these masks. These are just examples of what you can achieve while maintaining a low budget.

Get enough sleep: 

Although this may also be obvious, getting enough sleep is crucial for maintaining healthy and radiant skin. Lack of sleep can lead to puffiness and dark circles, as our skin undergoes cell repair and regeneration while we sleep. Therefore, if you want radiant, healthy-looking skin, it’s important to be well-rested to prevent these issues and achieve the glow we all want.

To achieve better sleep, consider reducing screen time before bedtime, practising meditation to promote relaxation, and replacing screen time with reading.

Shop around

Shopping around is a great way to ensure that you can maintain an affordable skincare routine. Instead of choosing more expensive products, consider looking for cheaper options that still offer good quality. Look for well-known skin products, such as CeraVe or The Ordinary, which are well-established brands providing more affordable options.

Consider shopping at supermarkets and drugstores instead of specific skincare websites. You will find more variety and potentially lower prices compared to products bought online or at higher-end stores.

A spokesperson from Fresha added:

«Finding an affordable skincare routine that meets your needs can be challenging. You want to maintain healthy skin while balancing your everyday expenses. With the wide range of options available, it isn’t easy to find products that are both affordable and offer quality health benefits.

“Just because you are on a budget does not mean you can’t have a good quality skincare routine. These tips and tricks should help you explore more affordable and accessible options.”