Shop from affordable brands
From daily moisturizers to powerful serums, there are many ways to cut the cost of your skin care routine.
GP and skincare expert Raj Arora says: “Many affordable brands use the same basic ingredients as luxury products. Save on cleansers, toners and moisturizers and spend a little more on your retinoids, peptides and sunscreens.”
Boots and Superdrug also have their own cheap skincare ranges and frequently run promotions and deals.
For example, Superdrug’s Me+, Naturally Radiant, Vitamin E and B. Skincare ranges are priced at a fraction of the cost of many higher-end options; A 200ml bottle of toner in the Me+ range is now £8.99 and offers “buy one and get second half price for loyalty card holders”.
Brands such as The Ordinary, The Inkey List, CeraVe and Simple offer a range of products for various skin types and problems with more affordable prices than some luxury series. For example, The Ordinary’s oat cleansing balm costs £12 for 150ml.
“If you find an affordable product that works for you, try other products in the line that may be right for you,” says Arora.
Search for backups
Many skincare brands have embraced sustainability by offering replacement products. For example, Neal’s Yard and Charlotte Tilbury’s range includes refillable options. At Charlotte Tilbury, a 50ml jar of Magic Cream moisturizer costs £79, while a refill of the same size costs £69.
Brands like Kiehl’s and L’Occitane have launched in-store stations where customers can refill containers. These are more environmentally friendly as well as offering discounted prices on products when using refills.
A lotduty
Get more mileage by using your skin care products for multiple purposes. For example, you don’t need a separate neck cream; You can use your facial moisturizer on your neck and décolleté. Similarly, you may choose to skip a dedicated eye cream and gently apply your facial serum to the delicate eye area.
You can also find products that can become part of your routine at home.
Professional makeup artist and skincare expert Joyce Connor says: “Coconut oil is great for removing makeup and is good for hair. It is not suitable for oily skin as it is too rich. Coconut oil is also great for dry hands and cuticles.
Compare costs
Compare prices from different retailers and brands before purchasing any skin care. Sites like Cosmetify make it easy to find the best deals on the products you love, ensuring you never overpay. You can also set alerts for your favorite products to be notified when their prices drop.
Skincare expert Caroline Hirons founded an app called Skin Rocks that allows users to search through hundreds of cleansers, masks, serums, and SPFs, sorted by price. You can get suggestions and find products that fit your budget.
If there is an expensive item you love, try looking for it for a cheaper price on sales sites like eBay and Vinted.
Use duplicates
Dupe is typically a cheaper option that closely resembles a high-end product. You can also look for the cheapest counterpart to your favorite products recommended by influencers on social media. For example, Aldi’s Lacura line offers budget-friendly luxury skincare products and is well-rated by users. The night cream costs £5.99 for 50ml. The products are available exclusively in Aldi stores, and the next health and beauty “special buys” promotion will begin on May 5.
Revolution Beauty is another favorite line of social media users; A 50ml jar of the Miracle Cream moisturizer costs £10.
If you’re looking for a cheaper version of one of your favorites, try searching the Dupeshop platform. It compares similar products to see if budget versions are worth buying. For example, if you like Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm, it says you might want to try M&S Pure Rose Cleansing Balm.
Do it yourself
Get creative and make your own DIY skin care treatments at home. For example, an avocado, egg and olive oil mask can provide deep care to your hair.
Alternatively, coconut oil, honey and sugar scrubs gently exfoliate and hydrate your body.
Julie Macken, founder and director of natural skincare brand Neve’s Bees, says: “Usually a skin cream is between 60% and 80% water. A lotion is about 85% water and a gel product is about 95% water. Basically, most people will be better off just washing their skin with water and using simple oils (jojoba, apricot, sunflower) to moisturize.
Samples and boxes
Take advantage of free samples. Many brands also offer free product testing opportunities in exchange for honest reviews, allowing you to try before you buy. For example, try the Elemis Review Panel and the Boots Volunteer Panel.
There are plenty of subscription boxes you can sign up for so you can get a range of luxury products at a huge discount. For example, you’ll pay £26 for £173 worth of product in Beauty’s box. You can also create your own box by choosing your own six products.
Other beauty box options include Mintd, Cosmetips, Jarmabox and Next.
Another option is the Agora application. Skincare and beauty enthusiasts earn “coins” that can be invested in beauty products by sharing video content of their favorite products. You can also purchase Agora “Organization” boxes with up to 85% discount on the beauty products inside.
Share skin care
If you live with your partner, split the cost of your basic skin care instead of buying your own products.
Affordable brands that may be suitable for couples include The Inkey List, The Ordinary, CeraVe, Cetaphil and Nivea.
Connor says: “These brands have products for all skin types. These series also include multi-purpose products such as moisturizers with SPF and serum-based cleansers. This may require a full skin care routine [down] “Only a few items.”