I am more skincare-obssessed than ever right now and it’s something that I find myself investing more and more money in as I get older ; a natural progression plus more education and insights tend to lead to some pretty spendy habits. However, alongside my fancy serums and potions and lotions, I always have a good bunch of my more basic and budget-friendly purchases, and often these are the products that I have used for many years and that stand the test of time. I find that in particular , most of my micellar waters I pick up in Boots…there is just such a great selection of good quality ones in there now, NOT just the infamous Garnier pink-lid one! Some of my favourite facial mists/hydrating sprays are from high street brands and I think anyone can walk into your local Boots/Superdrug with a budget and come out with a really decent full skincare regime. Here are some of my favourite high street skincare products..
Avene Xera Calm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream
This is a great product and I highly recommend it to any makeup artists for
their kit! It is a rich moisturising balm that reduces symptoms of sore, itchy skin & calms eczema prone skin so literally works for ANYONE as a face or body cream and can even be used on babies. Here’s where it gets more exciting (well for me, probably not for you)
– allergies or skin issues aside, even if you have model-perfect skin,
this is still a great moisturiser and skin conditioner so a great space
saver in your kit / bathroom cupboard and holiday suitcase. It’s a cream
you can chuck in your bag and you, partner and children can use. It
costs £18 for this large 200ml squeezy tube which is also very
purse-friendly, particularly if you use it as a face cream/ treatment
too.
Vichy Thermal Spa Water (spray)
This is Vichy’s signature mineral-enriched water simply in a sprayable form. It’s a really clean and active spray that can be used all over the face and body and again, it’s a product I use in my pro makeup kit and I love this little portable 50ml size.
Dirty Works Pure Beauty Face Oil.
Now this is a budget skincare brand which I have fondness for, which isn’t that well known as can only be purchased online as far as I know. It’s not up there in terms of anti-ageing or active-ness with my Sunday Riley oils but if you are on a tight budget and don’t want to splurge £60 on a face oil (sorry husband – I told you not to nosey about on my blog anyways) then this one comes in at just £5 for a 30ml bottle which is very reasonable. It’s more for basic hydration with Argan Oil, Sweet Almond Oil & Vitamin E so is perfect if you want to dip your toe in the face oil market (very slowly), just want something to hydrate or have a younger skin (25 years and under). I am also a bug fan of their Cucumber Eye Pads for travel, lazy days, hangovers and anything in between.
EOS Lipbalm.
I have used this little egg-shaped balm for around 7 years, even before it became a *thing* and I always, always still have at least one on the go. They not only act as a great lipbalm, but they last AGES and I love the way it applies. I have tried around 10 flavors and I am currently loving this peppermint one, and the orange one is another favourite. EOS lipbalms are completely natural and organic made with a base of Olive Fruit Oil, Beeswax, Coconut Oil & Shea Butter which my lips just really like. I know these had controversy with people saying they gave them blisters etc which I get confused by considering the ingredients (which are very common and in MANY beauty products/makeup), but they work for me really well so I’m sticking with them!
La Roche Posay Micellar Water.
A really beautiful and clean water that strips down all makeup and even stubborn mascara. It leaves my skin feeling really soothed and clean without the tightness that some water cleansers can leave. Great for sensitive skins too as it is fragrance, paraben, alcohol and colorant-free.
Bepanthen Nappy Care Ointment.
Probably the strangest pick for my budget skincare, and I remember I snapped a photo of my kit skincare on my Instagram and lots of people were asking why I had a nappy cream in my stash. This is a really good moisturising and soothing ointment that I use and have used in my kit for many years (A LOT of makeup up artist have this in their kit!). Great for a lip balm and to use on dry/patchy skin before makeup application. It’s not something I would ever use instead of a moisturiser but more of a targeted rescue treatment, let’s say the model has dry, claggy skin around the nose or lips ; this ointment is a quick-fix and a bit of a saviour…..and super cheap at just around £3 a tube.
Simple Kind To Skin Illuminating Radiance Cream.
This is a great little all-rounder ; a vitamin-enriched moisturiser, with SPF15 & light reflecting minerals that give you that instant glow. Great as a primer or to add into your foundation to sheer it down when you want a more tinted-moisturiser-esque finish in the coming spring/summer months. I love Simple as a brand for when I want to tighten in my spending reigns and this is a product that I have seem to pick up time and time again.
Have you tried any of these budget beauty products? What are your current go-to’s?
