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You can have #skingoals and #skincaregoals on a budget, I promise you. Everything I recommend below will be under $20 (minus one or two products like a serum) and will be suggested based on skin type and skin concerns. 

A good skin care routine consists of a few things,

Cleanser. One to cleanse the skin and something to remove makeup. Not all cleansers remove makeup and one cleanse doesn’t remove all your makeup leading the future break outs. You can either double cleanse, once to remove makeup and once to cleanse the skin or use a makeup remover prior to cleansing.

Affordable cleansers: Cetaphil’s Daily Skin Cleanser and Simple’s Moisturizing Face Wash are both more gentle, basic cleansers. If you have more severe to moderate acne or oily skin something like Mario Badescu’s Acne Cleanser and La Roche Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel are great options. If you fall somewhere between normal to dry skin and oily to acne prone skin then a cleanser like CeraVe SA Renewing Cleanser is the one for you, it contains salicylic acid like most acne cleansers but also contains ceramides to repair and soften skin. All these cleansers are $15 or under!

Affordable makeup removers (for skin and eyes): The Simple Micellar Water or Simple Makeup Remover Wipes are great options for under $8. If you wear a lot of makeup and really long wear foundation, a cleansing oil like Burts Bee’s Cleansing Oil will really break up and cut through all that makeup. 

Toner. To gently exfoliate and prep your skin for the rest of the routine. Your pores will thank you if you use toner. 

Affordable toners: If you have congested or oily skin i’d suggest a toner like Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner or The Body Shop Tea Tree Toner, they’re both under $20 and will really deep clean pores and resurface the skin. If you have more normal to dry skin the Loreal Hydra Fresh Toner will feel light and fresh and the Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner (has BHA’s and AHA’s!) will mildly exfoliate. If you have really sensitive or dry skin the Skin Food Premium Lettuce & Cucumber Watery Toner will feel very hydrating and soothing. 

Serum. To correct anything you really dislike about your skin, dullness, dryness, acne, fine lines. Serums are also preventive and will keep your skin looking good for much longer.  

Affordable serums: For my anti aging worriers, something like Olay’s Regenerist Regenerating Serum is great because it has a high concentration of Niacinamide, a skin repairing ingredient. Trust the classic anti aging serums from brands like Olay and Loreal. For acne prone skin try something like The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, this feels incredibly cooling on the skin like your pores are finally breathing. This dried up any acne I had and is under $7! The Ordinary makes great affordable serums. For dry skin a serum like Derma E Hydrating Serum with Hyaluronic Acid or the Neutrogena HydroBoost Serum will help you retain the moisture in your skin. A great all in one serum would be the CeraVe Skin Renewing Serum, it contains Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Ceramides and Nicacinamide to help with clogged pores, dry skin, dark spots, uneven skin tone and texture, anti aging. basically… everything. 

Moisturizer. To seal in all the work you just did. Moisturizers consist of emollients that lock in the water in your skin rather than letting the water evaporate into the air keeping it hydrated and plump. Moisturizers also often have added hydrating/corrective ingredients and keep the skin from aging quicker. 

Affordable moisturizers: For a basic, get the job done moisturizer you can’t go wrong with Cetaphil’s Moisturizing Cream. For combination to oily skin moisturizers like Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturizer can be used day and night because it’s lightweight yet contains all day working moisturizing ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid. If you’re looking for a moisturizer that also has SPF, a two in one, something like Loreal Revitalift Bright SPF 30 moisturizer is affordable and leaves your skin soft for under makeup. For normal to dry skin moisturizers Eucerin Anti Wrinkle Creme is a classic. It has strong antioxidants to firm, it moisturizes well without feeling heavy and is anti aging, plus it’s super affordable. If you have ultra dry skin, i’d recommend adding an oil into your routine or using it as a moisturizer (will discuss oils below).

Now you have the basics… what’s next?

The products listed above are the staples. However, there are a few things you can add to your skin care routine if you have the need, or the budget. Plus, having a fully stocked skin care cabinet is oddly satisfying. It’s nice to have options and additions when your skin needs a little extra love or back up.

Oils. For hydration and anti aging. Most oils contain a plethora of antioxidants and vitamins that repair skin and keep it healthy and soft. One of my favorite oils is Rose Hip Oil because it helps wth hydration as well as skin texture and tone.

Affordable oils: Rose hip oil like Mario Badescu’s Rose Hips Nourishing Oil is great, but you can find even more affordable rose hip oil on Amazon. Boots Botanics Organic Nourishing Facial Oil with Rose Hip is another affordable one if you want some added hydrating oils as rose hip oil isnt the most moisturizing oil on it’s own. The Ordinary makes a great Pure Cold Pressed Rose Hip Oil for under $12. Yes To  For purely moisturizing oils, for that dew and glow, an oil like the Sonia Kashuk Radiant Boost Restorative Facial Oil is amazing.  

Essence. Like a toner, but an added somethin’ somethin’. I think of essence like diluted, water light serums. They will usually help with things like dryness, pore size, wrinkles, etc. Essences are primarily a Korean skin care product but it’s slowly becoming more popular and westernized and they are incredibly brightening and make the skin look glowy and fresh. 

Affordable essences: The COSRX Snail Power Essence helps with hydration and skin repair fixing tone and skin damage. SkinFood’s Premium Lettuce & Watery Cucumber Essence is packed with brightening and hydrating vitamins. Benton’s Snail Bee High Content Essence contains the skin repairing snail ingredients as well as AHA’s to gently exfoliate. 

Scrubs/chemical exfoliant. To remove dry flakes, unclog/tighten pores, fade dark spots, promote production of collagen, etc.

Affordable exfoliants: If you’re into scrubs for quick resurface, scrubs like the Pacifica Rice Bright Skin Cleansing Paste, Nip + Fab Gycolic Fix Scrub and Derma E Anti Wrinkle Vitamin A Glycolic Scrub with Vitamin C and E (physical and chemical exfoliants in the last two!) are gentle enough to use 2-3x a week. Chemical exfoliants like Nip + Fab Exfoliate Glycolic Fix Night Pads Extreme will work as a mini overnight peel, waking up with brighter, smoother skin. 

Masks. An indulgent, leave on for 10-30 minutes product to immediately help with any skin issues like acne or dryness. Long term use of pore purifying, clay masks will help regulate oil control and acne.