What are your favourite "cheap" products?

[ColouredPolkaDots]

I'm exhausted but struggling to sleep so got thinking about all the pennies I've hopefully saved by finding good, or very good, cheaper products, often better than much more expensive brands.

This year I've found:

The Ordinary face wash/oils/moisturiser. I was previously using Liz Earle so this has saved me a huge amount and my skin looks better.

Sainsburys Sensitive Shave Gel in the purple can. I used to use Venus Olay (the gold cans) and would STILL get a rash from shaving. I used the Sainsburys one once over a year ago and have never switched back as I get no rash and feel great for it.

Alberto Balsam 24hr fragrance range, the relax/restore ones. I used to only use Aussie and whilst I loved the smell, it's not the cheapest. Since switching to AB, my hair still smells great but feels so much softer and is less damaged than it has been in years (though that could also be post-baby hair).

So please, help my purse and give me your best cheaper alternatives that you love! I love finding these sorts of things and find more joy than is probably rational when cheaper products work better than high end ones.

Coconut oil
Nivea
Superdrug Naturally Radiant
Superdrug and Primark makeup

I’d like to know where The Ordinary skincare can be found too!

Also, does anyone have any inexpensive body moisturiser tips for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary have their own website and ASOS also stock it.

Organic soap rather than showergel. Lasts ages.

Does the Ordinary do anything for teenagers spots?

I make my own face masks with oats;' honey and yoghurt. so much cheaper than the packs. Leave it on to 5 mins and wipe/wash off. Leaves your skin soooooo soft

I buy Mario badescu drying lotion but at £16 I am wondering if there's anything cheaper

Coconut oil removes eye make up better than any skin care brand

I came on to say the superdrug naturally radiant range is brilliant. I use the hit cloth cleanser and the glycolic pads. Oh and the 2-in-1 moisturiser and serum is lovely. Cheap to start with but always on a BOGOF of buy one get one half price.

Buy shampoos and soap out of savers instead of boots or supermarkets.

@Shockers I get The Ordinary in large Boots stores (there's only one near me) or on Amazon.

And I love the E45 rich 24hr cream. It doesn't last 24hrs but is good for keeping my hands soft. I wash my hands far, far too often (baby, pets, lots of cleaning) and have very sensitive skin but this works for me.

@ssd I'm no longer a teenager but in my early 20's and still suffer massively with spots. It's not cured them but gas reduced them and how obvious they are a LOT.

Lidl cien facecream! It's the only thing apart from Olay that doesn't bring me out in itchy lumps, and it lasts forever. Looks pretty on my dressing table and I can reuse the pots too.

Also Lidl knock-off Radox bubble bath and colour shampoos.

Also also Lidl washing powder - purple box for colours and green box for white washing. Much cheaper than brands / liquids and they don't fill the washing machine with gunk (our water is so hard, we're advised to stick with powder).

Aldi washing powder and sensitive fabric softener - great for my son with eczema and so much cheaper.

Revolution conceal and define concealer - £4 and just as good coverage as Tarte Shape Tape which is £20+

Nivea Soft - i always bring the handy tubes away with me on holidays- can be used as a handcream a footcream or body lcream.

Palmers Coconut hand cream - cheap as chips and really good and Palmers Coconut body lotion.

Aveeno Almond body cream to oil. Lovely.

Aldi's large dupes of Jo Malone candles.
The Almond one, the Sandalwood one - sadly, only for a limited time, and the Fig one are my favourites. I can't stand the Lime, Basil or the Pomegranate scent. But for those who do, they are great value.

Tesco own brand washing tablets.

Tesco Free From gluten free portidge oats. Sadly much cheaper than Flahavans gluten free porridge.

e.l.f cosmetics I had bought them in the states a few years ago now they sell them in larger Superdrug stores. Foundation especially is really nice and perfect colour for my olive tinge skin (many products are too pink) find it just as good as the Bobbi Brown. I think it cost £7

Aldi non bio washing liquid and sensitive fabric conditioner is really good I was spending three times as much before on a branded product

Cloud10 Beauty website do the Ordinary

Shockers: Palmer's cocoa butter body lotion is suitable for sensitive skin and is inexpensive.
Buy in any supermarket or chemist, or sometimes in Aldi.
I think it's nicer even than high end products, and no need to skimp,as it's cheap.
Aldi Booty Balm is nice too, but only on sale at special offer times: I plan to buy a few next time it's in.

shockers. Do smell the Palmers Cocoa Butter lotion before buying it.
It's like Marmite- you either love it or hate it.
I can't abide it because of the smell. That's why i was so pleasantly surprised by the Palmers Coconut scented one.

The Ordinary for me too. It's tricky to figure out what you need but the products are great.

Next socks. Most have patterns on so you don't end up trying to pair 101 different shades of black from uneven washing.

Palmer's also do an unfragranced version of their body lotion.
Yes, I suppose the cocoa butter scent is one that not everyone would like.

Primark foundation..I think it’s lovely
I make my own face cream, which tends to be a bit oily..so this £3 foundation is just a nice consistency to counteract it.
Plus you can unscrew the pump action bit and get to the last drops... unlike..maybeline 😡

No product recommendations but avoid anything that comes with a pump as you waste so much. Just a normal bottle or jar with a lid you can unscrew is best.

Essence and Catrice cosmetics.
Lots of stores and pharmacies stock them in Ireland. I know from other Mumsnetters they are stocked in low priced stores in the UK.
Both German brands, so the quality is good - EU regulations.
Also MissLyn eye pencil- stocked in the original Primark aka Penneys in Ireland.

You can order The Ordinary products into your local Boots store.

I’m pretty sure we bought cine products in. Florida decades ago

Cien..try again