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I used to think that having good skin meant spending loads of money. Turns out, I was totally wrong. After years of trying different things (and honestly, wasting too much cash), I realized you can take care of your skin without breaking the bank.
You Don’t Have to Spend Big
Let’s be honest—most expensive skincare brands use the same main ingredients you’ll find in drugstore products. What you’re really paying for is fancy packaging and marketing. If a $15 serum and a $150 serum have the same ingredients, your skin won’t know the difference.
The Simple Routine That Really Works
Forget those super long routines everyone’s showing on TikTok. Unless you actually enjoy that, you just need four basics.
1. Cleanse Your Face
Choose a gentle cleanser that won’t dry your skin out. I like CeraVe and Anua—they’re both under $15 and work for almost everyone. Wash your face in the morning and at night. That’s all. If you wear makeup, use a cleansing balm first to remove it, then follow up with your regular cleanser.
2. Treat Your Main Skin Concern
This is where you use one product for what your skin needs:
Dullness? Try a vitamin C serum from Cetaphil—it’s less than $20.
Dryness? Use a hyaluronic acid serum to hold in moisture. Try Neutrogena less than $15.
Fine lines? Go for a gentle retinol from Cerave less than $20.
Just focus on one thing. You don’t need a whole collection of serums.
3. Moisturize Everything
Every skin type—even oily skin—needs moisture. My top pick is CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion. It’s light and comfort for oily skin. If your skin is dry, use a CeraVe Moisturizing Cream the texture is rich but absorbed quickly for softened skin without sticky feel. Both are less than $20.
4. Don’t Skip Sunscreen
This is honestly the most important step. Wearing sunscreen daily keeps your skin healthy and guards against sun damage. Choose SPF 30 or higher. I like Innisfree Daily UV Defense and Haruharu Airyfit Daily Sunscreen, both are less than $15, affordable sunscreens that don’t feel greasy.
How to Save Money
- Look at the ingredients, not just the price. That fancy brand probably uses the same things as the drugstore one.
- Less is more. Most products only need a little bit. Using more doesn’t help—it just means you run out faster.
- Watch for sales. CVS, Target, Walgreens—they all have deals. Stock up when your favorites go on sale.
- Skip the extras. You don’t need separate creams for eyes or neck. One good moisturizer works everywhere.
Do You Need Trendy Products?
Face mists, essences, overnight masks—are they necessary? Honestly, no. If you enjoy them and they fit your budget, that’s fine. But if you want to save, stick to the basics. Being consistent matters much more than having a complicated routine.
My Real Daily Routine
Morning: Cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen. Takes five minutes.
Night: Cleanser, one serum (either retinol or hyaluronic acid), moisturizer. Another five minutes.
That’s all. No long routines, no overflowing shelves.
The Real Secret
Your skin doesn’t care how much you spend. It needs protection, hydration, and a routine you stick with. Start simple, use your products daily, and be patient—it usually takes 6 to 8 weeks to see results.
The best skincare routine is the one you’ll actually use. Three products you use every day will do more than a drawer full of unused bottles.
So ignore all the hype about expensive brands. Get what works, stick with it, and save your money for things you really enjoy. Your skin will look good, and your wallet will too.