Best Budget Skincare
The ten step can take hunks of money out of your bank account. Even if you are not doing 10-step skincare to your face, it feels kinda crazy spending $30+ on one item of skincare (although, the boujee mood has taken me before). However, I understand that not many people can afford the boujee. I was a student at one point, and spent my very last semester eating mostly white rice and kimchi for dinner. I went to part time at my job that semester to focus on graduating, and thus I was broke. My dad was paying my rent, and I had to deal with the other basics like electricity and food and other necessities on my own. Boo hoo, right? Boo hoo indeed. Students are some of the most broke people out there and I can sympathize.
For my fellow skincare enthusiasts that want beautiful skin at a smaller price tag, here is my list of best skincare products for those on a budget. Whether you construct a ten step or do the essential five, these are my favorites for keeping your skin clear and healthy while on a budget.
Coconut oil: literally nothing can beat coconut oil as your first step in cleansing. It dissolves makeup, even waterproof mascara. I know neutrogena likes to think their wipes remove mascara, but spoiler, they don't. Sorry but coconut oil is my queen.
How to: massage into skin to break up makeup, and gently wipe off using a wet wash cloth.
Neutrogena Deep Clean Clay Cleanser/Mask: This is my favorite drugstore cleanser thus far. Clay does a great job with oily/combo skin, and definitely deep cleans pores. This one does double duty: if you apply in a thicker layer it becomes a wash-off mask! Its gentle enough for normal skin, and with hyaluronic acid, it doesn't overdry.
How to: Use after oil cleansing to remove any remaining dirt and makeup. When using as a mask, apply in a thicker layer over areas with large pores and leave for five minutes before washing off.
St Ives Green Tea Blackhead Scrub: St Ives makes the best physical exfoliators for anyone on a budget. This one is much gentler than the apricot scrub (which I hear they are being sued over?!) and I love how it works. I mean... mine is nearly empty!!
How to: Use every other day after your double cleanse.
Mario Badescu Facial Spray: it comes in three scents that all smell fantastic, and two sizes to choose from. Don't be fooled by the product name, this is a wonderful budget friendly toner that does not contain alcohol! Astringent toners dry the skin and may even be the cause of breakouts :( so give this one a shot! It's gentle for anything from a quick spritz to refresh skin, or the 7 skin method.
How to: apply after cleansing, and I recommend at least three layers (allow to absorb between layers) to boost hydration without heaviness.
E.l.f. Hydrating Essence: This is the least expensive essence I have been able to find in the drugstore so far, and it definitely does what I need: hydration without heaviness.
How to: apply to skin after toner, gently patting until its absorbed.
Found Brightening Three Lime Face Serum: It doesn't stop there, they also have serums for sensitive and other skin types. I chose this one because it contains vitamin C and will help reduce my areas of over pigmentation and scarring.
How to: always follow essence or toner with serum.
Masque-ology Hyrdating Watermelon Mask: This is my all time favorite mask that you can pick up at WalMart. All of the Soo Ae masks are great as well, honestly, but this is my favorite when my skin is parched or breaking out. They're only $2.50 a pop, super affordable, considering that others can be $4+
How to: apply directly over serum, even before its absorbed (for a little masking boost) and only leave on for the recommended time on the packet. Do not leave on longer. *Tip* Save the packet with the excess serum to apply to your face when you don't have time to get sheet faced ;)
Formula 10.0.6 Picture Perfect Day: A lovely lightweight moisturizer with SPF 15. All of their products are super affordable, and they have a bunch of cool masks and a few cleansers that are nice as well, check this brand out on your next Ulta trip!
How to: apply as the last step of skincare before makeup.
Tony Moly Magic Food Mango Sun Screen: A great smelling, fast absorbing, and truly lightweight sunscreen. It is definitely a little more pricey, at $19.99 from Ulta, but I will attest to the fact that it is worth it. Having a great sunscreen is an ounce of protection that is worth a pound of cure. What is the biggest factor influencing aging? Sun damage! So protect your face.
How to: Apply over the moisturizer if intense sun exposure is planned, and remember to re-apply!
Mongo Kiss Lip Balm, Blood Orange: Your lip treatment to end all lip treatments. It is silky, its buttery, it melts onto your lips and provides long lasting hydration. It's my go to to repair my chapped lips when I am not in the mood for a deep mask. Not to mention, its less expensive than most lip balms, and contains nourishing ingredients. Why not go for carmex or chapstick? Because those brands are largely lanolin and paraffin, both of which contribute to lip-balm addiction. Plus, I hate the waxy feel of those.
How to: apply any time your pout gets flaky or dry.
Phew! That was quite a few products, and really, that's just the tip of the skincare iceberg. I like quite a few other higher priced products... and they are worth their price. But when I go back to school, I am grateful to have this list of wonderful standbys to fall back on. Especially because being bad and boujee won't be possible anymore within the next year and a half.
But unnie, that's still so many products. I can't afford to buy all of that at once! Don't worry. Do the minimum! The steps you can't sacrifice: removing makeup/cleanse, toner, moisturizer, sun protection. And luckily, those last two can be combined when you scoop up a moisturizer with SPF! Most people already have coconut oil (or olive oil, it works too!). So that only leaves you with three products to buy: cleanser, toner, moisturizer/SPF. It's a small routine, but applying SPF regularly will change everything for you.
Maybe you already have the basic routine, but are looking for a small boost? Get a serum based on your needs. Their concentrated ingredients make for amazing changes, just by adding one step. On the other hand, you might like masking instead, which provides hydration and plumpness to skin.
When it comes to the add-ons to your basic routine, the choice is yours! Just remember that sun block is always worth it.
♥ Kasey
For my fellow skincare enthusiasts that want beautiful skin at a smaller price tag, here is my list of best skincare products for those on a budget. Whether you construct a ten step or do the essential five, these are my favorites for keeping your skin clear and healthy while on a budget.
Coconut oil: literally nothing can beat coconut oil as your first step in cleansing. It dissolves makeup, even waterproof mascara. I know neutrogena likes to think their wipes remove mascara, but spoiler, they don't. Sorry but coconut oil is my queen.
How to: massage into skin to break up makeup, and gently wipe off using a wet wash cloth.
Neutrogena Deep Clean Clay Cleanser/Mask: This is my favorite drugstore cleanser thus far. Clay does a great job with oily/combo skin, and definitely deep cleans pores. This one does double duty: if you apply in a thicker layer it becomes a wash-off mask! Its gentle enough for normal skin, and with hyaluronic acid, it doesn't overdry.
How to: Use after oil cleansing to remove any remaining dirt and makeup. When using as a mask, apply in a thicker layer over areas with large pores and leave for five minutes before washing off.
St Ives Green Tea Blackhead Scrub: St Ives makes the best physical exfoliators for anyone on a budget. This one is much gentler than the apricot scrub (which I hear they are being sued over?!) and I love how it works. I mean... mine is nearly empty!!
How to: Use every other day after your double cleanse.
Mario Badescu Facial Spray: it comes in three scents that all smell fantastic, and two sizes to choose from. Don't be fooled by the product name, this is a wonderful budget friendly toner that does not contain alcohol! Astringent toners dry the skin and may even be the cause of breakouts :( so give this one a shot! It's gentle for anything from a quick spritz to refresh skin, or the 7 skin method.
How to: apply after cleansing, and I recommend at least three layers (allow to absorb between layers) to boost hydration without heaviness.
E.l.f. Hydrating Essence: This is the least expensive essence I have been able to find in the drugstore so far, and it definitely does what I need: hydration without heaviness.
How to: apply to skin after toner, gently patting until its absorbed.
Found Brightening Three Lime Face Serum: It doesn't stop there, they also have serums for sensitive and other skin types. I chose this one because it contains vitamin C and will help reduce my areas of over pigmentation and scarring.
How to: always follow essence or toner with serum.
Masque-ology Hyrdating Watermelon Mask: This is my all time favorite mask that you can pick up at WalMart. All of the Soo Ae masks are great as well, honestly, but this is my favorite when my skin is parched or breaking out. They're only $2.50 a pop, super affordable, considering that others can be $4+
How to: apply directly over serum, even before its absorbed (for a little masking boost) and only leave on for the recommended time on the packet. Do not leave on longer. *Tip* Save the packet with the excess serum to apply to your face when you don't have time to get sheet faced ;)
Formula 10.0.6 Picture Perfect Day: A lovely lightweight moisturizer with SPF 15. All of their products are super affordable, and they have a bunch of cool masks and a few cleansers that are nice as well, check this brand out on your next Ulta trip!
How to: apply as the last step of skincare before makeup.
 |
| from tony moly USA |
Tony Moly Magic Food Mango Sun Screen: A great smelling, fast absorbing, and truly lightweight sunscreen. It is definitely a little more pricey, at $19.99 from Ulta, but I will attest to the fact that it is worth it. Having a great sunscreen is an ounce of protection that is worth a pound of cure. What is the biggest factor influencing aging? Sun damage! So protect your face.
How to: Apply over the moisturizer if intense sun exposure is planned, and remember to re-apply!
 |
| from walmart.com |
Mongo Kiss Lip Balm, Blood Orange: Your lip treatment to end all lip treatments. It is silky, its buttery, it melts onto your lips and provides long lasting hydration. It's my go to to repair my chapped lips when I am not in the mood for a deep mask. Not to mention, its less expensive than most lip balms, and contains nourishing ingredients. Why not go for carmex or chapstick? Because those brands are largely lanolin and paraffin, both of which contribute to lip-balm addiction. Plus, I hate the waxy feel of those.
How to: apply any time your pout gets flaky or dry.
Phew! That was quite a few products, and really, that's just the tip of the skincare iceberg. I like quite a few other higher priced products... and they are worth their price. But when I go back to school, I am grateful to have this list of wonderful standbys to fall back on. Especially because being bad and boujee won't be possible anymore within the next year and a half.
But unnie, that's still so many products. I can't afford to buy all of that at once! Don't worry. Do the minimum! The steps you can't sacrifice: removing makeup/cleanse, toner, moisturizer, sun protection. And luckily, those last two can be combined when you scoop up a moisturizer with SPF! Most people already have coconut oil (or olive oil, it works too!). So that only leaves you with three products to buy: cleanser, toner, moisturizer/SPF. It's a small routine, but applying SPF regularly will change everything for you.
Maybe you already have the basic routine, but are looking for a small boost? Get a serum based on your needs. Their concentrated ingredients make for amazing changes, just by adding one step. On the other hand, you might like masking instead, which provides hydration and plumpness to skin.
When it comes to the add-ons to your basic routine, the choice is yours! Just remember that sun block is always worth it.
♥ Kasey
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