My Favorite Skincare Products Under $20

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Good skincare products don’t have to cost a lot of money. I tell this to people who come to me for skincare product advice and their first thought is that “I don’t want to spend too much”. And that, I totally understand. Some of my favorite skincare products cost under $20, busting the myth that quality skincare has to cost a fortune.

These days, shopping on a budget is my norm. Searching for affordable skincare that works for me and is budget friendly took me some time. But not only are the products I mention below budget friendly, they work well and are great for most skin types.

Let’s Start with Cleansers

A good facial cleanser is essential to your skincare routine. My personal belief is that your facial wash should be the least expensive product in your stash. Why? Because you’re washing your face and rinsing it down the sink, why spend a lot of coin on something that’s not staying on your face? I have a list of some affordable facial cleansers for every skin type so you can start there. If you have dry skin like I do, the Good Molecules Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a great option for only $12.00. This cleanser is formulated with rosewater and is gentle and hydrating enough to use daily.

Next up is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleanser Neutrogena is top notch with their skin and body care, there is not much from this line that I don’t absolutely love, this cleanser is no exception. Not only is affordable, retailing for $15.99, it has one of my favorite ingredients, hyaluronic acid.

According to Paula’s Choice” hyaluronic is a humectant, meaning they draw water from their surroundings” Basically, it’s a hydrating ingredient, and we all know how important that is. The Hydro Boost cleanser is gentle enough for sensitive and is great for removing excess oil, dirt and makeup.

Serums, Treatments and Toners

When it comes to dropping a coin on skincare, I recommend spending it on a good serum. I spoke about how important skin serums are in a previous post, you can read it here:

First up is the Sephora Collection Super Glow Serum with Vitamin C+E. This is a good serum for day or nighttime use, its lightweight and provides the moisture to replenish the skin after cleanser. This serum is best for dry, combo or normal skin, it’s good for both brightening and hydration.

Something new to my stash that I absolutely love is from Naturium. The Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum is a gentle Vitamin C serum that has helped my skin look brighter and smoother with consistent use. I use Vitamin C in the morning followed by SPF.

Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfolliant is like manna from heaven. This treatment has saved my skin from blackheads, clogged pores and dull skin for many years now. This treatment boasts the healing ingredient of salicylic acid which is a natural exfoliant. This is good for day or night use after your cleanser and toner.

Moisturize and Hydrate and Protect

Moisturizers are great to splurge on if you have it. I love a thick, emollient packed moisturizer just as much as the next person, but my wallet does not. So, I looked for some that would not hurt me too bad in the pockets and surprisingly, there were more than a few.

First is The Inkey List Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturizer, this retails for $20, the brand sent me this moisturizer to try and my skin has loved it. It feels luxurious and when I use it at night, my skin still feels plump and hydrated the next morning.

An affordable brand that I’ve recently discovered is Bubble, and they have a great moisturizer that is lightweight and sensitive skin friendly. The Bubble Cloud Surf Water Cream is only $16 and has a light as air texture that leaves the skin with a natural glow.

I never skip SPF in my morning routine and neither should you. Protecting your skin from harmful UV sun rays is the best defense for targeting signs of aging and hyperpigmentation. You can get the CeraVe Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen SPF 30 from your local drugstore for about $15.00. A higher end option (but still affordable) is the Kiehls Better Screen UV SPF 50. As a tip, SPF 30 or higher is a good place to start for ultimate sun protection.

I hope this guide was helpful for you, this is just the tip of the iceburg when it comes to affordable skincare. As usual, I encourage you to do your research and make sure the products you choose are right for your skin. Always seek the advise of a professional if you have detailed questions.

Happy Shopping!

LYDIA MARIE