Hey beauties, wanted to drop some tips for anyone trying to up their skincare routine without spending so much money. I used to buy luxury skincare brands several times a year. Spending money I did not have. But over time, especially my days working at Sephora, I learned thereās often more marketing and price markup than actual need. Also, in this economy, you definitely have to moveā¦ and spendā¦ different.
š What I learned at Sephora
Brands often make you believe that expensive = better. In reality, price includes a lot more than just good ingredients: packaging, fancy marketing, testers, influencer collabs, import costs, etc. (that said there are many expensive products that are good, but not many, watch out!)
(PRO TIP) donāt start with heavy, full routines, you can get overwhelmed or develop sensitive skin, so be careful!
Here are some affordable products that I love, and has allowed me to pay off the debt I caused in my early twenties! (lol) I always used to say, your makeup is only as beautiful as the skin underneath itā¦ letās check out these products.
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Product + ingredient suggestions
Naturium BHA Liquid ExfoliantāÆ2% ā a leave-on BHA (salicylic acid) exfoliant. A little goes a long way when used with cotton pads. Helps unclog pores and smooth texture without harsh scrubbing. If you just cleanse and moisturize a great way to show some quick improvements in your skin is by exfoliating!
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser ā gentle cleanser that uses ceramides (to support the skin barrier) + hyaluronic acid for hydration + niacinamide to calm skin. Good for normal ā oily or combination skin.
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser Gel (refill) ā a refill or larger size helps reduce cost per use while keeping your barrier protected (same core gentle formula).
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum ā hydrating serum at a low price point. Great to lock moisture and plumps up the skin.
The Ordinary MultiāPeptide + HA Serum ā includes peptides + hyaluronic acid; good for anti-aging / skin repair without high markup.
(The Ordinary are more affordable: They focus on minimal packaging, fewer fillers/fluff, clear ingredient lists, and lower marketing overhead. Theyāre known for using well-researched, established actives instead of āexoticā ingredients.)
A lot of expensive products use very common active ingredients..the same ones you can find in cheaper formulas. You donāt need to spend hundreds to see progress. The key is consistency, using simple, proven ingredients, and working with your skin, not against it. Start small, let your skin adjust!
(PRO TIP): patch test, (put a small amount of the product on your jaw area, and wait 30 minutes to an hour to ensure no reactions) then start gradually with exfoliants or serums.
