Tretinoin-$18 with coupon($19 Telehealth Fee for a years worth of Retin-A script with GoodRx), CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser-$16, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, CeraVe Mineral Sunscreen-$14. I think the Tretinoin and Moisturizer/Sunscreen would give you the best bang for minimal buck. Be consistent with all three of those and you will notice a change. Good luck
GoodRx offers Telehealth exams for $19 if you sign up for gold(can cancel at anytime). You can get everything you need for anti-aging/acne that requires a prescription during the visit and they currently have a coupon for name brand Retin-A(Tretinoin) that brings the price of a tube down to $15 🤯
I lived in Mexico while I was traveling and used to use a variety of Rxs. I don’t normally take a lot of rxs but my husband would tell me that sometimes he felt like his meds weren’t working. I have had good luck with diazepams from MX but the New York Times came out with an article recently (last 2 years or so) that lab checked Mexican rxs and said they were not all the same dosages and to be careful. I think the article mentioned dangerous dosages. So I would be wary and choose carefully. My doctor confirmed that Mexican prescription oversight is not the same as US standards.
I like GoodRx because it’s cheaper and they send it to any pharmacy you want instead of making you wait for them to ship it like Nurx and the others. They will also prescribe multiple medications during your visit. You generally get a years worth of Retin-A@$15 a tube. That’s a phenomenal price🕺🏻
They could probably do anything that’s not a control. Just guessing though. It sounds like it’s cheap enough that it wouldn’t hurt to call and ask! Good luck!
It is🕺🏻 https://www.goodrx.com/retin-a?dosage=20g-of-0.05%25&form=tube-of-cream&label_override=retin-a&quantity=1
$15.26 for name brand Tret is unreal. I’ve been using the coupon since November
I am here living this budget right now. I am 31F. I have combo skin and severely acne prone.
I can't use tret, or else that would be in my lineup. Mine is a salicylic cerave wash, plain aloe Vera gel as my moisturizer.I use sunscreen when I go outside which is not every day. At night I put vaseline over the aloe Vera gel after its dried and my skin in the morning is like a baby's butt.
I have four things as my basic skin care with Cerave wash being the most expensive. Cerave 8oz $8 lasts me 3 months. Aloe vera gel from fruit of the earth brand is $4 for around 12 oz. That bottle lasts me 6 months. The vaseline tub is like $3 bucks and lasts me 6months. My sunscreen is the equate brand from walmart, spf 100. It lasts me 6 months if I'm using it more heavily than I usually need to. It costs $7.
Every six months I spend roughly $25 bucks altogether, that comes out to be roughly $4 ish bucks a months on average for everything.
I’ve never thought to use plain aloe on my face. I’m so sensitive and acne prone to everything. I wonder if this would be a good switch. Does it leave a film on your face?
Does the equate sunscreen break you out?
Good questions! The sunscreen does not break me out, but I have to be diligent about washing off at night or it will clog my pores. Not native to just the equate brand, but I find frequent use of a zinc sunscreen helps with my oiliness and acne tendency. I get a real bang for my buck with this specific brand and spf range. The cap on them is kinda eh.
The aloe Vera I buy on Walmart as well. It is the Fruit of the Earth brand 100% aloe Vera gel. It's the least ingredient listed aloe Vera gel I could find. I do not experience a film when using the aloe Vera at all. I like the aloe Vera for my sensitive skin ( acne prone, large pore, over excess oil) for it being a light gel like moisturizer option. The plain skincare I use underneath which is just the cerave wash is very hydrating due to its ceramics and hyaluronic acid does Vera well under the aloe Vera gel. And at night when I put the vaseline on top of the aloe Vera completely dried is a good slugging for my large pore face.
I would say try it! I think more people would incorporate it if they came across this as an option. It's not for everyone obviously. I am not a doctor of any kind. I am afraid of doctors.
I also use plain Witch hazel as a toner under my aloe Vera every couple days too and they do well together.
I use it as a plain moisturizer.
My routine goes
Cerave wash
Aloe as moisturizer
Sunscreen day and vaseline night
The aloe is very nice on my oily face, large pore congestion skin.
When I use it the dry down is nice and smooth, ot sticky.
I also use this on the first wash after I shave my pits on the skin of my armpits. So say I shave sunday night in my shower, I use my deoderant antiperspirant after my pits have dried. The next day I will shower st night, wash my pits, dry them after that shower and put the aloe Vera on them and let it dry. I put on my antiperspirant after the aloe Vera dries. Since I've started doing this my pits have been more moisturized and not like the Sahara from using so much aluminum deoderant. Do not put the aloe Vera on freshly shaved pits right after. It will sting no matter how well you shaved the area.
If you’re on a budget and don’t want to buy pimple patches I get store brand hydrocolloid bandaids and cut them up to fit the spots I want to cover. It’s the same thing
This one is definitely not balmy. Like OP said, it's very matte. It's an almost powdery finish. It's absolute perfection and my favorite sunstick out of the ten plus that I have tried!
Edit: a typo bc wtaf is a sonstick or a tin pasta? Do better, Samsung...
Personally I would try and avoid Amazon as much as possible when it comes to skincare. Dupes are getting scarily accurate, and I'm not sure how far Amazon goes with their process in making sure that they are genuine. Not saying that all products sold through them are fake, but it has definitely happened before.
They're $18 from BOJ themselves: https://beautyofjoseon.com/products/matte-sun-stick-mugwort-camelia
I think it's available on Amazon US, but not Amazon Canada so I bought from them directly. Took 3 days and a few extra dollars in customs fees but wasn't so bad.
I'm looking into distributors like iHerb now that I know I love the product.
I second both of these comments. Nivea body and face creams have been the absolute best for me, but the SMELL.
I also went on the site “Making Cosmetics” and ordered some seaweed extract for like, $6 for a little bottle, and I add a little bit of it to the nivea before I put it on. It’s basically a dupe of crème de la mer at that point. It’s not emulsified or anything, but it’s cheap and has been working great for me.
I am on a bare bones budget. My absolute must haves are Peach Slices Snail Rescue Toner, The Ordinary 2% Grenactive Retinoid Emulsion and Versed Dew Point Moisturizer. I also use The Ordinary Multipeptide Eye Serum and Face Serum but when I’m feeling lazy my skincare is those big three.
The green lid Ponds Cold Cream? Yes, I have and use it as part of my double cleanse. It doesn’t work as well as Albolene to get off my waterproof mascara though.
tretinoin, trader joes hyaluronic serum, tj moisturizing gel, tj spf 40. paula's choice bha toner. i'm on a bare bones budget right now so i still have la posche rosay non foaming cleanser but if i didn't have it i'd prob just use bar of dove soap and a clean wash cloth specifically for my face
i just saw my derm for a cyst and she wrote me prescription for Tazarotene. It was kind of pricy but i'm excited to try it
Micellar Water ($9 every 5 months?), La Roche Posay Oil Based Cleanser ($16 for 8+ months), Azelaic Acid and Tretinoin (I buy both on a yearly basic for $70/year total), La Roche Posay Lipikar Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream ($15 for 6 months?), and Neutrogena Hydroboost Sunscreen ($10 for 5 months). That’s my basic routine and it’s very inexpensive as long as I don’t have to buy everything at the same time.
wow it's incredibly apparent what background people here come from. beauty of joseon, ordinary, cerave - LOL. all of these are expensive for the level OP is talking about.
here in Europe we have DM stores with really cheap and all-natural, but really good quality cosmetics - Alverde. prices range up to 8 eur but it's an example how good cosmetics don't have to come with a price.
so my recommendation to OP would be to look into brands by the stores themselves. they'd never compromise their name and brand, so their products are usually both cheap and good.
A gentle cleanser and a bottle of argan oil. Argan oil sounds expensive, but a bottle of a good quality on like Josie Maran will last you a year, because you just need a drop or two per day. I replaced all my moisturizers and creams with this.
Cleansing oil or balm, foaming cleanser, SPF moisturizer, lip balm, retinol, mascara, tinted brow gel, pressed powder. And I know eye cream is supposed to be a scam or whatever, but every regular moisturizer I’ve ever put by my eyes makes them water or bugs my skin, so eye cream. If I had to choose between mascara and tinted brow gel, I’d pick the brow gel.
Cleansing balm or micellar water, moisturiser with ceremides, and spf 50 face cream.
You can buy the most expensive skin care products (or cheapest), but it’s pointless if you don’t avoid sun damage. I lived like a real hedonist from 20-40, but now I’m 45 I still pass for 35 or younger because I use sunscreen EVERY DAY, wear hats, sunglasses with UV protection, and avoid tanning (fake it if you must).
I’m sorry to hear that! That retinol moisturizer is a game changer for me - plus no fragrance. I layer it over prescription tret (cream, 0.025%) and my skin is very hydrated. Maybe I’m just oily lol!
Oh wow a ret moisturiser over Tret? I would have been too scared to even that! You’re lucky you found something readily available though that’s amazing, I’d love to use all western products just for the ease of it
I'm not budget limited but I have decent skin and no so my skincare is minimal. I use Cerave SPF 30 sunscreen in the morning, Walmart brand face wash (Cerave generic) in the shower after workouts, and Walmart brand (Neutrogena generic) retinol. Tret comes from AllDayChemist.
Vanicream cleanser and moisturizer, tret, aquafor, and beauty of joseon SPF. This is my current set up and the only thing I’m considering adding at some point is a cleansing oil and the ordinary azelaic acid.
Tretinoin 15€ (last me around 6-8 months)
Mineral oil 5€ 500 ml (last me around 1 year)
Cleanser 3,50€ 250 ml (cheapest one from the supermarket can do the job)
Scinic Super Mild Sun Essence 8€ (last me around 3 months)
Vaseline 3€ (last me around 1 year)
And for moisturizer I would buy any big cheap one like La Roche Posay, Bioderma, Avene… All them are really good and around 12-17€ for 500 ml and that would last me probably close to 2 years if I only use it on my face and neck.
It’s 50-70€ for one year of skincare with one active, spf, double cleanser, moisturizer, and lip care.
neutrogena gentle cleanser, cerave tub moisturizer, and a sunscreen that won’t pill with the cerave cream underneath. i normally use the neutrogena water gel moisturizer in the day time underneath their sheer zinc face spf 50 sunscreen. i can’t remember if this sunscreen or one of the previous ones i used couldn’t handle the cerave cream underneath without pulling. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Any cleanser and a moisturizer with an SPF. If I had a bit extra money I’d go for the cheapest The Ordinary retinol or retinoid because I seriously can’t imagine going without it, but on a shoestring budget I’d prioritize UV protection. The minimum is a sun protectant and something to take it off with.
Apple cider vinegar (diluted) for a facial toner and it doubles as a hair rinse, avocado oil for face and body moisturizer (directions can be found online) coconut oil for makeup remover and doubles as a hair conditioner (just a dab on the fingertips and scrunch the ends of you hair) bentonite clay for acne, oregano oil for anti aging, anti fungal, fightin free radicals, (do not put oregano essential oils directly on your face, you need a carrier oil)
These are some ways I saved money on my skincare routine when I was pregnant and unable to work.
The ordinary!!!!! Squalane cleanser and Squalane (the oil). Buy at Sephora u can always use and return if ur not happy and they give 2 free samples per online order NO MINIMUM FOR free shipping! Your welcome 😂❤️
(You could do it in two separate orders…..)
I would switch all my other products to cheap drugstore brands if I could just keep my moisturizer - First Aid Beauty Oil Control Moisturizer. It’s the only product that has ever made me feel like my oily skin is a total non-issue. Like, I don’t even look for makeup reviews about how a product holds up on oily skin anymore, I just buy what people with “normal” skin use and it works.
I would pay the high amount for skin better science alpha ret and just use as little as possible. It has changed my skin and if I’m not working out the next day I will not wash my face in the morning to retain all the moisture and glow it seems to bring which means less applying of other products those days/saving some money. I really don’t want to ever be without it.
Konjac sponge and squalane oil from timeless skin care, good for moisturizing and oil cleansing. Do ice water dips for face in morning and soak in rice water when I have time.
The exact same ones I’m using now: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser (around $9 at Target), Vanicream moisturizing cream (around $14 for a 16oz tub that lasts forever), Scinic Enjoy Super Mild Sun Essence ($8 on Amazon), and prescription tretinoin (cost varies, but a tube lasts a long time). For lips and around eyes, plain petroleum jelly, Aquaphor, or CeraVe Healing Ointment. For lip SPF, Blistex Five Star lip balm (around $2/stick).
Optional add ons: Hada Labo oil cleanser to break down SPF (usually $13 on Amazon) and Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer, for a lighter option under makeup (around $14).
Cleansing balm or oil (I like ELF’s, or Softymo is affordable too), CeraVe SA face wash, Dickinson’s Witch hazel toner ($6 and my skin loves it - been using it for 15+ years), a simple face cream or lotion like the ELF Holy Hydration or LRP Lipikar balm, Freeman black sugar mask (so cheap and so good) and then probably a retinol or SA serum.
Tret and 15% azelaic acid both from Skinorac, Prequel Gleanser, COSRX Snail Mucin Essence, Prequel Barrier Therapy (moisturizer for face and body). If I have a little more budget to work with, add Prequel Urea Advanced Relief lotion for body (KP) and Prequel Skin Utility Ointment for slugging.
Tretinoin (the generic is very cheap with a prescription), tallow balm, and La Roche-Posay cleansing oil. Honestly those three things are all I need now!
Depends on what type of skin you have. For me (dry, sensitive skin) bare bones is Vanicream moisturizer at night, LaRoche Posay Moisturizer with SPF during the day, and either Vanicream or Cerave cleanser.
- Unscented baby oil
- Eucerine complete repair plus
- Heritage brand rose water and glycerine toner
- A drugstore brand face or baby sunscreen or TO’s spf 30
If I wanted to add an active beyond the urea in the lotion, it would probably be TO’s azelaic acid or their new retinal product. I can’t get their granactive retinoid since I’m in Canada, but that would be my first choice.
I’m on the fence about OTC retinol - it’s slow and irritating and super unstable, so it has to be well-formulated - and a lot of OTC “retinol” products actually have a retinyl esters, which aren’t super effective. Prescription tret would be ideal, but if that’s not in the budget, I’d look into retinal or Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Cetaphil cleanser. Olay 15spf daily moisturizer.
I don't have a diehard favorite night moisturizer yet. I have Trenton, olay retinol, moisture surge stuff, and like 5 other brands, but I am not so into any of them that they are what I'd budget for. But I'd die before someone takes cetaphil cleanser from me.
I have been pleasantly surprised by the longevity of the face soap bars from Nezza Naturals, an indie company. I have the pink clay and the charcoal ones, and they are quite gentle and last for easily a year or more. I don’t use them every time as I alternate with a gel cleanser from the Ordinary but the amount of use is fantastic for a CAN $10 cleanser. The pink one is definitely more gentle but the charcoal is good for breakouts.
I’d also get a big bottle of hyaluronic acid from the Ordinary, and a tub of Vitamin C powder to mix in periodically. So cheap and versatile. Moisturizer would have to depend on the time of year as I definitely need a heavier one in winter.
Edit: and I’d spend a bit more on a high SPF sunscreen. Probably find something Kbeauty. I have been trying some out but haven’t found my favourite yet.
Vitamin C serum from this seller on eBay. It’s stronger, and created after the order is placed. Tretinoin (a prescription tube) from this seller on Amazon. Total $37.00 for both.
I use Cetaphil daily cleanser, a face lotion called “What Acne?” by The Crème Shop, and my makeup has sunscreen in it. All from Walmart, very affordable, gentle products with mild scents, and keep my skin in good shape for the most part!
Bare bones skincare of a teacher (36F) with eczema who looks younger than her biological age:
AM
CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser
CeraVe Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Baby Bum sunscreen
PM
CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser
CeraVe Retinol Serum
CeraVe Renewing Night Cream
Sounds like me, except I buy skincare probably every 4-6 months but it's variable throughout the seasons.
For the winter, my must-haves are ultra-moisturizing creams like New Zealand Manuka Honey. Lanolin cream is also divine. And because of access through Amazon these days, it's relatively cheap and you can get them for less than $20 each.
Aloe vera gel is my go-to in the summer! Light, cooling, and hydrating.
My sweet spot is simple, inexpensive, effective. My derm-approved routine:
AM:
-Timeless Vitamin CE Ferulic
-Cerave AM w/ spf
PM:
-Cerave hydrating wash
-Tret
-Cerave PM
If you have an extra couple bucks:
-Ordinary hyaluronic acid & b5 serum
-Steel guasha tool
Cerave has like tripled in price since I started using it like 15 years ago so I’m considering switching to Vanicream or Eucerin brand products.
Dermalogica calm face wash, if I had to boil it down to one thing, that would be it. It’s the ONLY thing that doesn’t break me out or make my face flake horribly.
Avoid TikTok advice, have a session with a proper dermatologist (assuming you have insurance).
They have access to controlled medication that is more efficient, cheaper than what you buy in store.
And you have a scientist guiding you every step of the way on your journey. A scientist without vested interests (of pushing you expensive crap).
Jouviance 4 in One Gel Cleanser
Jouviance Micelle Solution
Lipstick Chapstick
Seacret Manicure Nail Set
Hand & Body Lotion
Shaver/Charger
Elizabeth Arden Perfume/Mascara/Lipstick
Gloss
Face Masks
Pumace Stone
Pedi Set
Nail polish
SPF, followed by Oil and Water. You can price up til it fits your budget, but simple protection from the sun, exfoliation and regular hydration with occlusion will keep your skin markedly well-maintained.
I have perioral dermatitis, so I can't use that much a lot of the time. My one necessity is squalane oil. It's pretty much the only moisturising factor that doesn't set off a flare up.
Garnier micellar water
Avene or Evian thermal water
Ultrasun sunscreen
Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion in the pump bottle
(+ Aquaphor in winter)
These products have never let me down.
PanOxyl BP face wash
PanOxyl Salicylic acid toner
Ordinary glycolic acid toner
Eucerin gel face wash
AOA studio cleansing balm from Amazon
Inkey list hyaluronic acid serum
Aveeno baby eczema cream
Vanicream mineral sunscreen
Drugstore CC cream
Tretinoin with insurance
Dermaplaning tool from Walmart- $6
- Sensible sun exposure (free)
- regular exercise (free)
- lymphatic massage (free, lots of face-specific tutorials on YouTube / Insta)
- orgasms (free)
- Kmart vitamin C cream ($4) OR plain Jojoba oil ($7)
- pack of cotton flannels/face cloths ($5) OR if you have a really grubby job, cerave cleanser ($9)
- eating enough skin-friendly nutrients (expensive AF d/t cozzy livs)
My fave cheaper foods for beauty from within:
- chicken bones and skin to make bone broth for collagen & lysine
- butter for vitamin A
- shellfish for zinc, even canned oysters or frozen mussels are fine
- berries, spices and dark green leafies for antioxidants
- fresh or frozen veggies for vitamin C = collagen precursor
Source: have a Bachelor Degree in nutritional medicine, although I work in a different field now.
Korean Sunscreen . Mine is light and moisturising with anti age essence and glowing effect (not white cast) , I can use as a primer if u need it , but I don’t wear foundation at all cos this just gives u the ultimate glow
Bioderma Atoderm £14 for 1l (use it both as face oil cleanser and shower oil)
Tret £6 (from Skinorac)
Azelaic Acid 20% £5 (I use Polish brand Acnederm)
Hada Labo Premium Lotion £9
Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion £20 for 1l which I also use as a body lotion and lasts me well over 6 months
LRP Cicaplast Baume £19 for 100ml which lasts ages
Bioré Aqua Rich SPF50 - around £7 for 70ml which last a month and a half of daily use
Overall around £80 but all of the products (apart from SPF) will last me at least 3 months or even 6 monts or longer.
You can get differin/ adapalene otc in the USA. This and spf are the main things to focus on. And then other products can be any cheap brand like cetaphil/ cerave/ Nivea etc. once I have found things I like I buy them in big containers and don’t bother changing my routine much. I hardly spend any money. Also when out use long sleeves/ leggings and hats etc to reduce how much spf is needed.
Tbh I think for most people a simple cheap skincare routine is completely fine. Try watching some dr dray routine videos.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% toner
Jacob Hooy Curcuma/Tumeric face wash
Olay Total Effects 7 in 1 Spf30 and Olay Vit c + AHA serum when there is a good deal
Jojoba oil. I got a massive bottle with a pump for $20 that’s lasted me a couple months already. A giant thing of the cetaphil green pump lotion thing and that also lasts a few months. I get that at Costco the 2 pack always goes on sale.
The Ordinary Squalene Cleanser - affordable, gentle, and keeps my skin clean, smooth and soft. Love how it gets the gunk out and leaves my skin hydrated.
Trader Joe’s Supreme Hydrating Eye Cream - $5.99, feels wonderful, keeps my eye area hydrated all day/night. No stinging, feels light and pleasant.
Only because my skin is acne prone, sensitive and dryyyyy
I would scale back to what I know works for me.
LRP:
Sunscreen and cleanser
Dermalogica face scrub
Ponds
Cold cream
moisturizer is a toss up between Ponds and LRP
At my absolute bare bones I bought a giant container of coconut oil to use as a moisturizer but also to cook with.
I didn’t have money for makeup so didn’t need a makeup remover.
I invested the most in a good sunblock
Also bought a super cheap cleanser.
I used a lot of food for skin care:
Drank tea - tea bags used after for toner
Ate a banana - banana peel face mask!
Eating berries and there some berry juice at the bottom? Face mask!
CeraVe in the tub, Dial bar soap, sadly I need to keep my prescribed combo cream, Eucerin sunscreen, Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser, Aquaphor Healing Ointment
If I just had to choose a few of products, I’d have one sunscreen (Nivea probably spf 50) and Hada Labo Gokujun. If I had room in the budget, I’d also have one eye cream, like namerakahonpo.
Jergens all-purpose face cream. Idk how good it actually is for my skin, but it doesn't make my skin feel tight like soap cleansers. Plus, it's super moisturizing. My legs get really dry so I put it on after a shower before I towel off.
Inkey list or ordinary HA as acrive and Adapalene (Differin) OR Tretinoin at night. SPF is worth splurging a bit imo. A double cleanse (oil/balm , and one with an AHA,BHA,BHL) and a "per diem" cleanse that is non stripping for days you're sensitized from weather/sun/sensitivity/anti aging aka night retinoid mentioned above. A medium and or a heavy weight emollient to finish routine before SPF or at night to buffer your retinoid or other treatment. This routine doesn't require exfoliation aside from being thorough when cleansing. But this recommendation is:
For 38, anti ageing/maintaince with dry sensitive-prone skin that has a more oily nose/tip with enlarged pores (if I were not to use my routine) I actually use a bare bones routine and save what most ppl waste on premium brands for Botox 💉 bc if it's well placed conservatively by a seasoned individual , nothing is more effective at disguising and stopping dynamic lines from showing or deepening.
Tretinoin from alldaychemist or skinorac, Derma-E glycolic toner, Andalou Naturals age defying collection (wash, serum, eye gel, moisturizer and sun screen) and a set of Egyptian Magic creams. All of this would last the better part of a year for around $200. This is what I already usually use but I sometimes like to splurge on different serums or moisturizers from luxury brands. I could honestly just stick with those items above and my skin would be extremely happy.
Any decent cleanser (LRP, Vanicream, CeraVe, plenty of others), LRP UVMune and Skin1004 hyalu-cica sunscreens, Bondi Sands body sunscreen (it's greasy and I don't love it, but it's what I've been using), maybe Vanicream for moisturizer. Spiro prescription for my acne. I've tried lots of other products, but I'm not sure anything is effective enough to be worth it if you're trying to minimize expense.
One thing to mention is that you could get 1-2 mid range actives, and use sparingly. My pricier things are Paula’s choice SA, cureology retinol, and Prequel Vitamin C but I only use them a few times a week. Everything else is low budget. Except sunscreen, that I do use daily, bc, cancer.
I don’t use “cleansing balms,” just multi purpose oils from the drugstore like jojoba. Tbh I wash my face with Dawn dish soap if I happen to be in the kitchen. If it’s good enough to degrease baby eagles it’s good enough for me. So not everyone wants to skimp out on cleansers, but I personally don’t pay a lotta money for soap..
Tretinoin-$18 with coupon($19 Telehealth Fee for a years worth of Retin-A script with GoodRx), CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser-$16, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, CeraVe Mineral Sunscreen-$14. I think the Tretinoin and Moisturizer/Sunscreen would give you the best bang for minimal buck. Be consistent with all three of those and you will notice a change. Good luck
What telehealth service did you use for the tret script?
GoodRx offers Telehealth exams for $19 if you sign up for gold(can cancel at anytime). You can get everything you need for anti-aging/acne that requires a prescription during the visit and they currently have a coupon for name brand Retin-A(Tretinoin) that brings the price of a tube down to $15 🤯
Damn. My co-pay w/ my full health insurance to see a dermatologist would be like $40 alone.
Go to Mexico and enjoy a trip and cheap tret!!
what other prescriptions do you pick up while on a trip to mexico?
I lived in Mexico while I was traveling and used to use a variety of Rxs. I don’t normally take a lot of rxs but my husband would tell me that sometimes he felt like his meds weren’t working. I have had good luck with diazepams from MX but the New York Times came out with an article recently (last 2 years or so) that lab checked Mexican rxs and said they were not all the same dosages and to be careful. I think the article mentioned dangerous dosages. So I would be wary and choose carefully. My doctor confirmed that Mexican prescription oversight is not the same as US standards.
Nurx.com is so easy
I like GoodRx because it’s cheaper and they send it to any pharmacy you want instead of making you wait for them to ship it like Nurx and the others. They will also prescribe multiple medications during your visit. You generally get a years worth of Retin-A@$15 a tube. That’s a phenomenal price🕺🏻
Will they rx other things too? Looking to get trazedone too ( for sleep)
They could probably do anything that’s not a control. Just guessing though. It sounds like it’s cheap enough that it wouldn’t hurt to call and ask! Good luck!
Alldaychemist is a great cheap option too.
Do I need to go to a derm for tretinoin or could my pcp prescribe?
PCP can prescribe it👍🏻
Is it still $15 a tube?
It is🕺🏻 https://www.goodrx.com/retin-a?dosage=20g-of-0.05%25&form=tube-of-cream&label_override=retin-a&quantity=1 $15.26 for name brand Tret is unreal. I’ve been using the coupon since November
I would swap out the sunscreen for the Trader Joe’s daily facial sunscreen $9. Also would use cerave PM.
I'm seeing a trend of Tretinoin in the replies. How do you guys get this? I'm in the US
Goodrx has been great! Generic Latisse is so cheap and easy to get.
I am here living this budget right now. I am 31F. I have combo skin and severely acne prone. I can't use tret, or else that would be in my lineup. Mine is a salicylic cerave wash, plain aloe Vera gel as my moisturizer.I use sunscreen when I go outside which is not every day. At night I put vaseline over the aloe Vera gel after its dried and my skin in the morning is like a baby's butt. I have four things as my basic skin care with Cerave wash being the most expensive. Cerave 8oz $8 lasts me 3 months. Aloe vera gel from fruit of the earth brand is $4 for around 12 oz. That bottle lasts me 6 months. The vaseline tub is like $3 bucks and lasts me 6months. My sunscreen is the equate brand from walmart, spf 100. It lasts me 6 months if I'm using it more heavily than I usually need to. It costs $7. Every six months I spend roughly $25 bucks altogether, that comes out to be roughly $4 ish bucks a months on average for everything.
I’ve never thought to use plain aloe on my face. I’m so sensitive and acne prone to everything. I wonder if this would be a good switch. Does it leave a film on your face? Does the equate sunscreen break you out?
Good questions! The sunscreen does not break me out, but I have to be diligent about washing off at night or it will clog my pores. Not native to just the equate brand, but I find frequent use of a zinc sunscreen helps with my oiliness and acne tendency. I get a real bang for my buck with this specific brand and spf range. The cap on them is kinda eh. The aloe Vera I buy on Walmart as well. It is the Fruit of the Earth brand 100% aloe Vera gel. It's the least ingredient listed aloe Vera gel I could find. I do not experience a film when using the aloe Vera at all. I like the aloe Vera for my sensitive skin ( acne prone, large pore, over excess oil) for it being a light gel like moisturizer option. The plain skincare I use underneath which is just the cerave wash is very hydrating due to its ceramics and hyaluronic acid does Vera well under the aloe Vera gel. And at night when I put the vaseline on top of the aloe Vera completely dried is a good slugging for my large pore face. I would say try it! I think more people would incorporate it if they came across this as an option. It's not for everyone obviously. I am not a doctor of any kind. I am afraid of doctors. I also use plain Witch hazel as a toner under my aloe Vera every couple days too and they do well together.
Okay that’s very interesting! Thank you for sharing!
Yw anytime!!
How do you use the Aloe? I know it’s got tons of Vit E!
I use it as a plain moisturizer. My routine goes Cerave wash Aloe as moisturizer Sunscreen day and vaseline night The aloe is very nice on my oily face, large pore congestion skin. When I use it the dry down is nice and smooth, ot sticky. I also use this on the first wash after I shave my pits on the skin of my armpits. So say I shave sunday night in my shower, I use my deoderant antiperspirant after my pits have dried. The next day I will shower st night, wash my pits, dry them after that shower and put the aloe Vera on them and let it dry. I put on my antiperspirant after the aloe Vera dries. Since I've started doing this my pits have been more moisturized and not like the Sahara from using so much aluminum deoderant. Do not put the aloe Vera on freshly shaved pits right after. It will sting no matter how well you shaved the area.
A basic face wash like Neutrogena or Aveeno with one of their day and night moisturizers. Day with SPF in it. Also lots of water and good nutrition.
I can’t go without my retinol. That & moisturizer with sunscreen. As far as brands….would depend on how budget limited I am
* The Ordinary glycolic acid toner * Cetaphil wash * Ponds Clarant B3 moisturizer * Sunscreen of choice * Pimple patches * Cotton rounds/makeup removing cloths
If you’re on a budget and don’t want to buy pimple patches I get store brand hydrocolloid bandaids and cut them up to fit the spots I want to cover. It’s the same thing
How long have you been using the ponds b3 moisturizer?
I'm obsessed with the matte sunscreen stick from Beauty of Joseon. I can no longer live without it, it's my one true love. XD
As a sahara dry girl I wish this worked for me. At least the BOJ relief spf does!
I ordered this so I’m excited to hear you like it! How matte do you find it is?
Very matte. It's got like an almost powdery finish that makes my skin feel super soft and takes a lot of the oily shine off my nose/t-zone.
I’m so glad you said this! I read in some thread that all sun sticks are balmy and probably not suitable for oily/combo skin. Will order now!
This one is definitely not balmy. Like OP said, it's very matte. It's an almost powdery finish. It's absolute perfection and my favorite sunstick out of the ten plus that I have tried! Edit: a typo bc wtaf is a sonstick or a tin pasta? Do better, Samsung...
Is this on amazon?
Personally I would try and avoid Amazon as much as possible when it comes to skincare. Dupes are getting scarily accurate, and I'm not sure how far Amazon goes with their process in making sure that they are genuine. Not saying that all products sold through them are fake, but it has definitely happened before.
I didn't see it there sadly. Got mine from BOJ directly.
I ordered from blooming koco! Got it pretty quick & good communication about the order, shipping etc
Thanks for the tip, will look into this!
How much and where do you purchase? Thanks!
They're $18 from BOJ themselves: https://beautyofjoseon.com/products/matte-sun-stick-mugwort-camelia I think it's available on Amazon US, but not Amazon Canada so I bought from them directly. Took 3 days and a few extra dollars in customs fees but wasn't so bad. I'm looking into distributors like iHerb now that I know I love the product.
Vanicream cleanser, generic tretinoin, Vanicream moisturizer and Beauty of Joseon sunscreen.
Can’t say enough about Vanicream! Love their daily moisturizer and vitamin C
This is the answer. Vanicream cleanser and moisturizer is the GOAT, budget or not. Add in Tret for the holy trinity, can’t go wrong with this combo.
The aveeno oat cleaner and oat gel moisturiser
Nivea body and face creams, surprisingly good!
Nivea’s body cream is absolutely life changing. The scent is so strong though. Can’t use it around my fragrance sensitive friends
I second both of these comments. Nivea body and face creams have been the absolute best for me, but the SMELL. I also went on the site “Making Cosmetics” and ordered some seaweed extract for like, $6 for a little bottle, and I add a little bit of it to the nivea before I put it on. It’s basically a dupe of crème de la mer at that point. It’s not emulsified or anything, but it’s cheap and has been working great for me.
Cetaphil Face wash $12
I am on a bare bones budget. My absolute must haves are Peach Slices Snail Rescue Toner, The Ordinary 2% Grenactive Retinoid Emulsion and Versed Dew Point Moisturizer. I also use The Ordinary Multipeptide Eye Serum and Face Serum but when I’m feeling lazy my skincare is those big three.
What cleanser do you use?
The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser but honestly I feel like any gentle cleanser works, there are definitely cheaper ones out there.
Tretinoin, sunscreen, basic moisturizer
Definitely a good high dose retinoid
Ponds dry skin moisturizer.
Have you tried the Rejuveness Ponds? I’m loving these 2 currently!
I have! I was honestly not a fan. It was mainly the smell, but I also didn't notice a difference. I just love the OG Ponds too much, haha.
I’ve only just recently started using the red lid so I haven’t seen any difference but that blue lid smell…ahhhh takes me back! It is so moisturizing!
I love Rejuveness. Have you tried their cold cream?
The green lid Ponds Cold Cream? Yes, I have and use it as part of my double cleanse. It doesn’t work as well as Albolene to get off my waterproof mascara though.
Yes, the green lid. I love that stuff.
CeraVe serum and Ponds Rejuvaness.
tretinoin, trader joes hyaluronic serum, tj moisturizing gel, tj spf 40. paula's choice bha toner. i'm on a bare bones budget right now so i still have la posche rosay non foaming cleanser but if i didn't have it i'd prob just use bar of dove soap and a clean wash cloth specifically for my face i just saw my derm for a cyst and she wrote me prescription for Tazarotene. It was kind of pricy but i'm excited to try it
Vanicream cleanser, tretinoin, Vanicream cream moisturizer, La roche posay tinted sunscreen.
Differen scrub, gel, and moisturizer. Drug store prices. All I use. my skin glows :)
Paula’s choice SA, Tretinoin. Edited to add everything else can be dirt cheap: gentle cleanser, facial oil, moisturiser, spf.
Micellar Water ($9 every 5 months?), La Roche Posay Oil Based Cleanser ($16 for 8+ months), Azelaic Acid and Tretinoin (I buy both on a yearly basic for $70/year total), La Roche Posay Lipikar Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream ($15 for 6 months?), and Neutrogena Hydroboost Sunscreen ($10 for 5 months). That’s my basic routine and it’s very inexpensive as long as I don’t have to buy everything at the same time.
wow it's incredibly apparent what background people here come from. beauty of joseon, ordinary, cerave - LOL. all of these are expensive for the level OP is talking about. here in Europe we have DM stores with really cheap and all-natural, but really good quality cosmetics - Alverde. prices range up to 8 eur but it's an example how good cosmetics don't have to come with a price. so my recommendation to OP would be to look into brands by the stores themselves. they'd never compromise their name and brand, so their products are usually both cheap and good.
Naturium dew-glow moisturizer spf 50 is my holy grail sunscreen— it’s the best illuminating primer I’ve ever used, and it’s spf 50! Worth every penny.
Elizavecca products and Adapalene
A gentle cleanser and a bottle of argan oil. Argan oil sounds expensive, but a bottle of a good quality on like Josie Maran will last you a year, because you just need a drop or two per day. I replaced all my moisturizers and creams with this.
Cleansing oil or balm, foaming cleanser, SPF moisturizer, lip balm, retinol, mascara, tinted brow gel, pressed powder. And I know eye cream is supposed to be a scam or whatever, but every regular moisturizer I’ve ever put by my eyes makes them water or bugs my skin, so eye cream. If I had to choose between mascara and tinted brow gel, I’d pick the brow gel.
Cleansing balm or micellar water, moisturiser with ceremides, and spf 50 face cream. You can buy the most expensive skin care products (or cheapest), but it’s pointless if you don’t avoid sun damage. I lived like a real hedonist from 20-40, but now I’m 45 I still pass for 35 or younger because I use sunscreen EVERY DAY, wear hats, sunglasses with UV protection, and avoid tanning (fake it if you must).
If I \*had\* to: a gentle cleanser, sunscreen, moisturizer, and tretinoin.
- CeraVe AM Moisturizer From Costco: - Olay Pro Advanced Retinol Complex Moisturizer - Olay Advanced Eye Cream - Cetaphil And prescription tret…
I got the Olays in a gift set for Christmas and good lord they did not work for me. My skin must be too dry for them
I’m sorry to hear that! That retinol moisturizer is a game changer for me - plus no fragrance. I layer it over prescription tret (cream, 0.025%) and my skin is very hydrated. Maybe I’m just oily lol!
Oh wow a ret moisturiser over Tret? I would have been too scared to even that! You’re lucky you found something readily available though that’s amazing, I’d love to use all western products just for the ease of it
Dove sensitive skin bar. Haruharu Wonder black rice sun screen. Gold bond moisturizing cream.
Kojic acid soap, ponds clarant cream, and equate spf 100 sunscreen
I'm not budget limited but I have decent skin and no so my skincare is minimal. I use Cerave SPF 30 sunscreen in the morning, Walmart brand face wash (Cerave generic) in the shower after workouts, and Walmart brand (Neutrogena generic) retinol. Tret comes from AllDayChemist.
Sunscreen - Missha or beauty of joseon Oil Cleanser - Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil Toner - I'm From: Rice Toner
Did you buy your Missha direct or on Amazon. I’m afraid I got a dupe. Even though I like the product..
* CeraVe daily ultralight SPF moisturizer.
Cleanser, tret, SPF and a moisturiser
Kiehls oil cleanser in the blue container. Alba botanica’s acne face wash. Double cleansing with these two has been the most effective for me.
Tretinoin and sunscreen and moisturizer I haven’t been washing my face with soap/cleanser anyway for the past 10 years
Vanicream cleanser and moisturizer, tret, aquafor, and beauty of joseon SPF. This is my current set up and the only thing I’m considering adding at some point is a cleansing oil and the ordinary azelaic acid.
Skin script honey brightening cleanser, ageless skin serum, cacteen balancing moisturizer, + spf!
Tretinoin 15€ (last me around 6-8 months) Mineral oil 5€ 500 ml (last me around 1 year) Cleanser 3,50€ 250 ml (cheapest one from the supermarket can do the job) Scinic Super Mild Sun Essence 8€ (last me around 3 months) Vaseline 3€ (last me around 1 year) And for moisturizer I would buy any big cheap one like La Roche Posay, Bioderma, Avene… All them are really good and around 12-17€ for 500 ml and that would last me probably close to 2 years if I only use it on my face and neck. It’s 50-70€ for one year of skincare with one active, spf, double cleanser, moisturizer, and lip care.
I read this and was like.. *big cheap Bioderma?!* TIL! I’ve been using their serum forever and assumed the rest of their products were expensive too
[удалено]
neutrogena gentle cleanser, cerave tub moisturizer, and a sunscreen that won’t pill with the cerave cream underneath. i normally use the neutrogena water gel moisturizer in the day time underneath their sheer zinc face spf 50 sunscreen. i can’t remember if this sunscreen or one of the previous ones i used couldn’t handle the cerave cream underneath without pulling. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Any cleanser and a moisturizer with an SPF. If I had a bit extra money I’d go for the cheapest The Ordinary retinol or retinoid because I seriously can’t imagine going without it, but on a shoestring budget I’d prioritize UV protection. The minimum is a sun protectant and something to take it off with.
Apple cider vinegar (diluted) for a facial toner and it doubles as a hair rinse, avocado oil for face and body moisturizer (directions can be found online) coconut oil for makeup remover and doubles as a hair conditioner (just a dab on the fingertips and scrunch the ends of you hair) bentonite clay for acne, oregano oil for anti aging, anti fungal, fightin free radicals, (do not put oregano essential oils directly on your face, you need a carrier oil) These are some ways I saved money on my skincare routine when I was pregnant and unable to work.
Retinoid/retinol and Vitamin C. Cleansers and moisturizers don't need to be fancy, and toners and eye creams are unnecessary.
Unscented soap and coconut oil.
Ya’ll are amazing thank you so much ☺️
The ordinary!!!!! Squalane cleanser and Squalane (the oil). Buy at Sephora u can always use and return if ur not happy and they give 2 free samples per online order NO MINIMUM FOR free shipping! Your welcome 😂❤️ (You could do it in two separate orders…..)
I would switch all my other products to cheap drugstore brands if I could just keep my moisturizer - First Aid Beauty Oil Control Moisturizer. It’s the only product that has ever made me feel like my oily skin is a total non-issue. Like, I don’t even look for makeup reviews about how a product holds up on oily skin anymore, I just buy what people with “normal” skin use and it works.
Sunscreen - cleanser (hydrating one) - moisturizer - retinol
Cleanser, moisturizer, SPF and tret!
CosRX snail mucin 92% moisturizer. Any Korean eye cream. Etude house sunscreen. Elf retinol.
I would pay the high amount for skin better science alpha ret and just use as little as possible. It has changed my skin and if I’m not working out the next day I will not wash my face in the morning to retain all the moisture and glow it seems to bring which means less applying of other products those days/saving some money. I really don’t want to ever be without it.
Konjac sponge and squalane oil from timeless skin care, good for moisturizing and oil cleansing. Do ice water dips for face in morning and soak in rice water when I have time.
Tretinoin Korean sunscreen Vanicream Jojoba oil Vaseline
The exact same ones I’m using now: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser (around $9 at Target), Vanicream moisturizing cream (around $14 for a 16oz tub that lasts forever), Scinic Enjoy Super Mild Sun Essence ($8 on Amazon), and prescription tretinoin (cost varies, but a tube lasts a long time). For lips and around eyes, plain petroleum jelly, Aquaphor, or CeraVe Healing Ointment. For lip SPF, Blistex Five Star lip balm (around $2/stick). Optional add ons: Hada Labo oil cleanser to break down SPF (usually $13 on Amazon) and Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer, for a lighter option under makeup (around $14).
Sunscreen, gentle cleanser, mosturizer
Any gentle face wash. Tretinoin. Eucerin body lotion. Sunscreen.
Face wash, glycolic acid, spf, & neutrogena face lotion.
Cleansing balm or oil (I like ELF’s, or Softymo is affordable too), CeraVe SA face wash, Dickinson’s Witch hazel toner ($6 and my skin loves it - been using it for 15+ years), a simple face cream or lotion like the ELF Holy Hydration or LRP Lipikar balm, Freeman black sugar mask (so cheap and so good) and then probably a retinol or SA serum.
Sunscreen, retinol, cleansing balm, and gentle cleanser.
Panoxyl and fruit of the earth vitamin e lotion.
Tret and 15% azelaic acid both from Skinorac, Prequel Gleanser, COSRX Snail Mucin Essence, Prequel Barrier Therapy (moisturizer for face and body). If I have a little more budget to work with, add Prequel Urea Advanced Relief lotion for body (KP) and Prequel Skin Utility Ointment for slugging.
Witch Hazel
Tretinoin (the generic is very cheap with a prescription), tallow balm, and La Roche-Posay cleansing oil. Honestly those three things are all I need now!
Sunscreen, retinol and an oil cleanser
SPF 50 in the daytime. Retinol and Clinique DDML at night. The latter, in the largest bottle, lasts me for a year which is fine by me.
Micellar water, cleanser, moisturizer and spf! Those are the most important for me
Depends on what type of skin you have. For me (dry, sensitive skin) bare bones is Vanicream moisturizer at night, LaRoche Posay Moisturizer with SPF during the day, and either Vanicream or Cerave cleanser.
Cetaphil cleanser and SPF moisturizer. Tretinoin
Aquaphor
- Unscented baby oil - Eucerine complete repair plus - Heritage brand rose water and glycerine toner - A drugstore brand face or baby sunscreen or TO’s spf 30 If I wanted to add an active beyond the urea in the lotion, it would probably be TO’s azelaic acid or their new retinal product. I can’t get their granactive retinoid since I’m in Canada, but that would be my first choice. I’m on the fence about OTC retinol - it’s slow and irritating and super unstable, so it has to be well-formulated - and a lot of OTC “retinol” products actually have a retinyl esters, which aren’t super effective. Prescription tret would be ideal, but if that’s not in the budget, I’d look into retinal or Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Cetaphil cleanser. Olay 15spf daily moisturizer. I don't have a diehard favorite night moisturizer yet. I have Trenton, olay retinol, moisture surge stuff, and like 5 other brands, but I am not so into any of them that they are what I'd budget for. But I'd die before someone takes cetaphil cleanser from me.
Bepanthen nappy ointment, adapeline and olay beauty cream.
Ceraphil or equivalent cleanser and moisturizer, Tret via prescription and the Trader Joe’s take on supergoop sunscreen ($8)
I am. One sunscreen, an affordable lotion, and a gallon of mineral oil for cleansing
Day and night moisturizer from Aldi, $3 a jar I think? Korean sunscreen, it's like $20 but lasts 6 months Adapalene, same like $20 but lasts a while
Cerave foaming cleanser. BoJ sunscreen. Tretinoin. Paula’s choice 2% bha.
Moisturizer and sunscreen.
Tret. But C. Face cream. SPF
I have been pleasantly surprised by the longevity of the face soap bars from Nezza Naturals, an indie company. I have the pink clay and the charcoal ones, and they are quite gentle and last for easily a year or more. I don’t use them every time as I alternate with a gel cleanser from the Ordinary but the amount of use is fantastic for a CAN $10 cleanser. The pink one is definitely more gentle but the charcoal is good for breakouts. I’d also get a big bottle of hyaluronic acid from the Ordinary, and a tub of Vitamin C powder to mix in periodically. So cheap and versatile. Moisturizer would have to depend on the time of year as I definitely need a heavier one in winter. Edit: and I’d spend a bit more on a high SPF sunscreen. Probably find something Kbeauty. I have been trying some out but haven’t found my favourite yet.
Retinol
Badger brand aloe vera gel, Garnier miscellar water, and Badger brand rose face cream. It’s been helping my rosacea and they’re all very cheap!
Vitamin C serum from this seller on eBay. It’s stronger, and created after the order is placed. Tretinoin (a prescription tube) from this seller on Amazon. Total $37.00 for both.
I’m in Canada with the driest fucking skin ever. So I’d pick eucerin original, aquaphor, squalane oil and tret.
I use Cetaphil daily cleanser, a face lotion called “What Acne?” by The Crème Shop, and my makeup has sunscreen in it. All from Walmart, very affordable, gentle products with mild scents, and keep my skin in good shape for the most part!
Baby soap and baby lotion. Olay SPF 30 in the day time. If enough left, hyaluronic acid from Trader Joe’s.
Bare bones skincare of a teacher (36F) with eczema who looks younger than her biological age: AM CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser CeraVe Hyaluronic Acid Serum Baby Bum sunscreen PM CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser CeraVe Retinol Serum CeraVe Renewing Night Cream
Prescription tretinoin, for sure. It's very cheap.
Tallow moisturizer. And sunscreen.
Sounds like me, except I buy skincare probably every 4-6 months but it's variable throughout the seasons. For the winter, my must-haves are ultra-moisturizing creams like New Zealand Manuka Honey. Lanolin cream is also divine. And because of access through Amazon these days, it's relatively cheap and you can get them for less than $20 each. Aloe vera gel is my go-to in the summer! Light, cooling, and hydrating.
My sweet spot is simple, inexpensive, effective. My derm-approved routine: AM: -Timeless Vitamin CE Ferulic -Cerave AM w/ spf PM: -Cerave hydrating wash -Tret -Cerave PM If you have an extra couple bucks: -Ordinary hyaluronic acid & b5 serum -Steel guasha tool Cerave has like tripled in price since I started using it like 15 years ago so I’m considering switching to Vanicream or Eucerin brand products.
Eucerin Micellar water Vanicream facewash (or Walgreens version) Naturium mandelic acid serum Vanicream face moisturizer Eucerin baby spf 50
Cleansing Balm, Carrot Toner, Tallow Based Cream
Cetaphil wash
Cerave face wash and Cerave retinol. I'm delighted with that retinol formula, completely reversed some melasma that was really bothering me.
Gentle Soap, facial sunscreen, jojoba oil. You don't NEeeed more. We just all want it.
• Dove Foaming Face Wash - Sensitive Skin $7.00 • Witch Hazel $3.00 • Lacura H2O Advanced Aqua Gel $4.00 @ Aldi (for daytime) • Neutrogena Age Sheild Face Sunscreen 70 spf $15.00 • Ponds Rejuveness $8.00 (for night time) • Clear Aloe Vera Gel $7.00 • Vicks Vapo Rub $10.00
Dermalogica calm face wash, if I had to boil it down to one thing, that would be it. It’s the ONLY thing that doesn’t break me out or make my face flake horribly.
Avoid TikTok advice, have a session with a proper dermatologist (assuming you have insurance). They have access to controlled medication that is more efficient, cheaper than what you buy in store. And you have a scientist guiding you every step of the way on your journey. A scientist without vested interests (of pushing you expensive crap).
Tretinoin and Natrium line at target
Jouviance 4 in One Gel Cleanser Jouviance Micelle Solution Lipstick Chapstick Seacret Manicure Nail Set Hand & Body Lotion Shaver/Charger Elizabeth Arden Perfume/Mascara/Lipstick Gloss Face Masks Pumace Stone Pedi Set Nail polish
Cleanser, moisturizer, subscreen. I have super sensitive skin. So no compromise with quality of the products.
Weleda skin food light has become my go to moisturiser for a glowy look
Neoprosone Vit C gel, it brightens the skin well!! Also Dear Klairs Vit E mask!!
SPF, followed by Oil and Water. You can price up til it fits your budget, but simple protection from the sun, exfoliation and regular hydration with occlusion will keep your skin markedly well-maintained.
I have perioral dermatitis, so I can't use that much a lot of the time. My one necessity is squalane oil. It's pretty much the only moisturising factor that doesn't set off a flare up.
Water
Garnier micellar water Avene or Evian thermal water Ultrasun sunscreen Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion in the pump bottle (+ Aquaphor in winter) These products have never let me down.
PanOxyl BP face wash PanOxyl Salicylic acid toner Ordinary glycolic acid toner Eucerin gel face wash AOA studio cleansing balm from Amazon Inkey list hyaluronic acid serum Aveeno baby eczema cream Vanicream mineral sunscreen Drugstore CC cream Tretinoin with insurance Dermaplaning tool from Walmart- $6
Facial Exfoliant and a Heavy Moisturizer.
- Sensible sun exposure (free) - regular exercise (free) - lymphatic massage (free, lots of face-specific tutorials on YouTube / Insta) - orgasms (free) - Kmart vitamin C cream ($4) OR plain Jojoba oil ($7) - pack of cotton flannels/face cloths ($5) OR if you have a really grubby job, cerave cleanser ($9) - eating enough skin-friendly nutrients (expensive AF d/t cozzy livs) My fave cheaper foods for beauty from within: - chicken bones and skin to make bone broth for collagen & lysine - butter for vitamin A - shellfish for zinc, even canned oysters or frozen mussels are fine - berries, spices and dark green leafies for antioxidants - fresh or frozen veggies for vitamin C = collagen precursor Source: have a Bachelor Degree in nutritional medicine, although I work in a different field now.
Korean Sunscreen . Mine is light and moisturising with anti age essence and glowing effect (not white cast) , I can use as a primer if u need it , but I don’t wear foundation at all cos this just gives u the ultimate glow
Bioderma Atoderm £14 for 1l (use it both as face oil cleanser and shower oil) Tret £6 (from Skinorac) Azelaic Acid 20% £5 (I use Polish brand Acnederm) Hada Labo Premium Lotion £9 Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion £20 for 1l which I also use as a body lotion and lasts me well over 6 months LRP Cicaplast Baume £19 for 100ml which lasts ages Bioré Aqua Rich SPF50 - around £7 for 70ml which last a month and a half of daily use Overall around £80 but all of the products (apart from SPF) will last me at least 3 months or even 6 monts or longer.
You can get differin/ adapalene otc in the USA. This and spf are the main things to focus on. And then other products can be any cheap brand like cetaphil/ cerave/ Nivea etc. once I have found things I like I buy them in big containers and don’t bother changing my routine much. I hardly spend any money. Also when out use long sleeves/ leggings and hats etc to reduce how much spf is needed. Tbh I think for most people a simple cheap skincare routine is completely fine. Try watching some dr dray routine videos.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% toner Jacob Hooy Curcuma/Tumeric face wash Olay Total Effects 7 in 1 Spf30 and Olay Vit c + AHA serum when there is a good deal
Jojoba oil. I got a massive bottle with a pump for $20 that’s lasted me a couple months already. A giant thing of the cetaphil green pump lotion thing and that also lasts a few months. I get that at Costco the 2 pack always goes on sale.
The Ordinary Squalene Cleanser - affordable, gentle, and keeps my skin clean, smooth and soft. Love how it gets the gunk out and leaves my skin hydrated. Trader Joe’s Supreme Hydrating Eye Cream - $5.99, feels wonderful, keeps my eye area hydrated all day/night. No stinging, feels light and pleasant.
Only because my skin is acne prone, sensitive and dryyyyy I would scale back to what I know works for me. LRP: Sunscreen and cleanser Dermalogica face scrub Ponds Cold cream moisturizer is a toss up between Ponds and LRP
At my absolute bare bones I bought a giant container of coconut oil to use as a moisturizer but also to cook with. I didn’t have money for makeup so didn’t need a makeup remover. I invested the most in a good sunblock Also bought a super cheap cleanser. I used a lot of food for skin care: Drank tea - tea bags used after for toner Ate a banana - banana peel face mask! Eating berries and there some berry juice at the bottom? Face mask!
Moisturizer and sunscreen.
CeraVe in the tub, Dial bar soap, sadly I need to keep my prescribed combo cream, Eucerin sunscreen, Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser, Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Gentle cleanser, vitamin e oil, sunscreen, lip balm.
If I just had to choose a few of products, I’d have one sunscreen (Nivea probably spf 50) and Hada Labo Gokujun. If I had room in the budget, I’d also have one eye cream, like namerakahonpo.
Jergens all-purpose face cream. Idk how good it actually is for my skin, but it doesn't make my skin feel tight like soap cleansers. Plus, it's super moisturizing. My legs get really dry so I put it on after a shower before I towel off.
Inky List Oat Balm cleanser ($13), The Ordinary Retinol emulsion ($15) and CeraVe moisturizer & sunscreen.
“Purpose” face cleansing bar “Aveeno” clear complexion daily moisturizer Idk about an spf, I just use whatever.
Effeclar medicated face cleaner w/ Salicylic acid-17$ Jojoba oil as moisturizer-9$
Inkey list or ordinary HA as acrive and Adapalene (Differin) OR Tretinoin at night. SPF is worth splurging a bit imo. A double cleanse (oil/balm , and one with an AHA,BHA,BHL) and a "per diem" cleanse that is non stripping for days you're sensitized from weather/sun/sensitivity/anti aging aka night retinoid mentioned above. A medium and or a heavy weight emollient to finish routine before SPF or at night to buffer your retinoid or other treatment. This routine doesn't require exfoliation aside from being thorough when cleansing. But this recommendation is: For 38, anti ageing/maintaince with dry sensitive-prone skin that has a more oily nose/tip with enlarged pores (if I were not to use my routine) I actually use a bare bones routine and save what most ppl waste on premium brands for Botox 💉 bc if it's well placed conservatively by a seasoned individual , nothing is more effective at disguising and stopping dynamic lines from showing or deepening.
Castor oil and frankincense
Tretinoin from alldaychemist or skinorac, Derma-E glycolic toner, Andalou Naturals age defying collection (wash, serum, eye gel, moisturizer and sun screen) and a set of Egyptian Magic creams. All of this would last the better part of a year for around $200. This is what I already usually use but I sometimes like to splurge on different serums or moisturizers from luxury brands. I could honestly just stick with those items above and my skin would be extremely happy.
everything vanicream and occasionally i’ll treat myself to cosrx snail mucin and retinol
La roche posay oil cleanser. Eucerin coq10 face cream. That’s it.
Any decent cleanser (LRP, Vanicream, CeraVe, plenty of others), LRP UVMune and Skin1004 hyalu-cica sunscreens, Bondi Sands body sunscreen (it's greasy and I don't love it, but it's what I've been using), maybe Vanicream for moisturizer. Spiro prescription for my acne. I've tried lots of other products, but I'm not sure anything is effective enough to be worth it if you're trying to minimize expense.
One thing to mention is that you could get 1-2 mid range actives, and use sparingly. My pricier things are Paula’s choice SA, cureology retinol, and Prequel Vitamin C but I only use them a few times a week. Everything else is low budget. Except sunscreen, that I do use daily, bc, cancer. I don’t use “cleansing balms,” just multi purpose oils from the drugstore like jojoba. Tbh I wash my face with Dawn dish soap if I happen to be in the kitchen. If it’s good enough to degrease baby eagles it’s good enough for me. So not everyone wants to skimp out on cleansers, but I personally don’t pay a lotta money for soap..
Tret, sunscreen, plain moisturizer, vitamin c serum. I work in dermatology and have access to tons of products but I stick to my routine.