Skincare routine on a budget help?

[miniworry]

My skincare routine is pretty non existent bar some miceller water and the ordinary moisturiser but now I'm almost 34 my skin looks pants and I know I need more.

I can't afford to spend £80 odd on a serum right now as much as I wish I could so please could anyone advise on skincare they use that offers good results but didn't break the bank?

Thank you!

Check the inkey list out, you can buy at boots

I was complemented on my complexion when out with friends last weekend and my "go to" things are:-

Aldi dupe of the Hot Cloth Cleanser. I use this probably 4x days a week

The big blue Nivea tin. I slap this on when working from home and leave it on all day (when no meetings)

Aldi caviar night cream when I can remember (usually twice a week)

I tend to use a reusable dual sided cloth ( don't usually wear makeup) to cleanse. I have a hyaluronic acid and vitamin C night serum, retinol doesn't work on me. To top it off I use Nivea night cream.

I've liked the inky list serum , polyglutamaic ( or something like that) in the past.

There are lots of good budget brands. Basically you need to cleanse, moisturize and protect.

I've always like L'oreal products and they have a good range, as do The Ordinary, and Sali Hughes. I don't think there is a huge difference in cleansers and a lot of people swear by Dove soap or CeraVe. Disposable wipes or cloths are a waste environmentally, and expensive.

For protection, try to find a dual purpose item, like a tinted sunscreen. I use one by a Canadian brand, Marcelle, but there are lots on the market. Look for tinted spf or BB cream.

And save your points! I use my in-store points for more expensive creams or serums as a splurge.

Cetaphil gentle cleanser is my fave fave fave! Boots hyluonic acid,

Spf Roche posay

Day Routine

Swipe makeup off with micellar water, then
oil cleanse/ use jojoba oil-rub on, massage, wash off with warm water and a SOFT cloth. Old babies Muslins are the best.

apply serum- inky, the ordinary are good. For day time I use the ordinary buffet.

apply moisturiser/ I use the facilist vit c or whatever is around 15/20 on offer in boots

apply sun block

night routine

as above but skip sun block and night cream has to be weleda skin food after serum. Night time I switch between a retinol and a salyatic acid serum. But the weleda in a green tube? It’s the best. THE BEST.

Definitely stop the micellar water. That will dry out your skin. When skin lacks oil, it will age faster

I just started using eucerin roughness relief as a night cream. My skin is sooooo smooth, it’s a combination of urea and lactic acid, both moisturising but also mildly exfoliating. Saw it on reddit on the tret forums. It is probably the only cream that has made any substantial difference to my skin.

My skin is fine. I'm in my mid 60's and my skin care routine consists of using soap (bar soap!) and water. Sunscreen if out all day in the summer and it's sunny but that's all. Fine on a budget.

The good news is that with an almost non existent routine, the smallest changes will make a big difference!

I think micellar water is overrated as a proper cleanser. It doesn't clean the akin properly. So start with a decent cleanser - an oil based cleanser perhaps if you have dry skin or look.around for a good regular cleanser.

The ordinary is a great brand for well priced serums. Get a hyaluronic acid one ideally and a vitamin c one - moisterise and protect.

Ensure you are cleaning at night and use a night cream. Inuse a neutrogena one but I believe the sali hughes is good. I also like Elf on the cheaper end or cerave at the slightly more expensive (but still high street) side.

What’s your exact skin concern?

Stop the micellar water if you can. I use a hot cloth cleanser. I like Liz Earle but I am cutting back so will use either the super drug or Aldi versions. Both good.

Then I use a toner. Currently using pixie glow but again, Aldi do a good budget version. Then I use a Hyaluronic acid. Currently using the ordinary which is about £8 a bottle. The Inkeylist is also good. Then moisturise. I use a vitamin c moisturiser from Olay and an eye cream.

In the evening it’s all the same but my moisturiser is a retinol, again from Olay.

Just adding your £80 can go a long way. Boots and superdrug usually always have good deals on. You don’t need to spend it all on one product. As we’ve said, the Ordinary is a good range and budget friendly.

In what way does your skin look pants? It's quite important as skincare tends to be tailored to skin type. For substance is it dryness, lines, spots, oil?

La Roche Posay from Boots - usually on 3 for 2.

Revolution skincare is popular with young people.

Superdrug's own ranges of skincare are great and regularly on offer. You could try one of the boxes here before committing to the full size https://www.superdrug.com/skin/skincare-gift-sets/c/pt_skin_facial_moisturising_kits I really rate the B. , Optimum, Vitamin E ranges and have ditched a far more expensive habit for these.

I recommend the Garnier 3.5% Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Brightening and Anti Dark Spot Serum 30ml - it's amazing stuff, usually on offer for about £8! Made a huge difference to my skin!

I'm aware this thread is a little old... however @Noicant please could you link the product you use? sounds like exactly what I need.

Hey! Miniworry 😊I totally get the budget struggle. To amp up your skincare, try affordable options like The Ordinary's niacinamide serum for blemishes and hydrate with their Natural Moisturizing Factors. Also, consider the Best Korean acne scar treatment with products like COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. They work wonders without breaking the bank! Additionally, use gentle cleanser like CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and sunscreen. It's all about consistency, and this routine won't only enhance your skin but keep your wallet happy. I'll suggest you to head start with this and all set for the magic.🔮