5 Affordable Skincare Essentials You Didn’t Know You Needed

*I am in no way, shape, or form an Esthetician. I do not study skin care, everything is recommendations based on the skincare products I use on my own skin. Also, some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.*

With spring lingering in the air and Corona Virus busting our butts, gone are the days of heavy body butter and thicker clothes. We are officially in times of working from the couch and getting lost in our new favorite Netflix shows, but what does that mean for your skin? Well, we should try our hardest to carry on skincare routines as normal. Now is pretty much the best time to get your skin glowing and bright for when this quarantine is over. So here are 5 skincare essentials that won’t break your bank but will leave you with phenomenal skin, especially now that we’re being “suggested” to stay at home. .. Are You Ready?

1. Facial Cleanser:

I don’t know who needs to hear this but your bar soap is not an all-purpose body cleaner. Stop using your Dove body soap, Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Soap, Irish Springs (because I know someone is doing it), etc. to wash your face. Invest in a thorough cleansing facial wash. One that preferably is not exfoliating because over-exfoliation of the skin can cause micro-tears, which can lead to abrasions. The face wash I use is by Tony Moly, their Black Tea London Classic Foam Cleanser does wonders. Below is my father, who didn’t understand what a pea-sized amount meant. So, if you don’t understand either, let me make it clear, a little goes a long way, and it makes sure your face is clean.

Depending on where you get it, this face wash can run anywhere between $10-$20, it’s definitely a budget-friendly option. A few more of my favorite cleansing face washes for low include:

Yeouth Vitamin C Facial Cleanser: This facial cleanser has seaweed in it. While it may not be my favorite go-to cleanser, this product is great for sensitive skin. This cleanser has brightening effects, removes fine lines, and it’s supposed to help remove makeup. You can call me extra, but this was more of a morning time cleanser for me. It leaves my face refreshed, but it is not something I would use after a full day of outside and makeup. At the price of $18.95, this is a cleanser I wish I had as an undergrad because it is elite.

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser: I live for CeraVe, not only because it is great for sensitive skin but also because for anyone prone to eczema this brand is something to get acquainted with. This cleanser is soothing to the skin, has hyaluronic acid, and like all other CeraVe products, it contains ceramides that help to maintain your skin’s natural barrier. For $14.64 on Amazon, this is probably the most affordable you will find a decent face wash: especially one that’s dermatologist tested. However, despite the name, this cleanser doesn’t actually foam.

 

2. Toner:

Toner isn’t a necessary step for your skincare routines. However, once you start using it, this is something you will come to LOVE. After washing my face, I always go in with toner and give it a good rub. While toner may seem like something of little importance to most, after trying out one from a friend (Thank You Cella), it’s become a part of my nightly routine*. You honestly fail to realize how much you miss with your face wash, and that is the point of using a toner. Toner removes any remaining traces of dirt, grime, and impurities from your pores after you wash your face. It also does really well in prepping your skin to absorb all the good stuff from your moisturizer. My favorite toner is the Garnier: SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water*, which runs for about $7 at your local Target. Other options that I keep handy include:

Breath of Fresh Air, Lush Cosmetics: With Sea Water, Aloe, and Rose Absolute; this toner is probably the freshest thing to touch your face. It evens out your complexion and has a lovely scent. Also, this works amazing because this is a vegan product. I hold my vegan gals down. While the larger bottle is a bit pricer for $22.95, the small bottle is super cute, great for travel, and will only cost you $10.95 with all the same effects. It also doubles as a setting spray if you ever need one on the go.

Innisfree Green Tea Seed Intensive Hydrating Toner: Innisfree is one of my new favorite brands since their store popped up on 34th street. This is one of their best selling products, and honestly, every time I put it on, I see why. With their extracts coming straight from Jeju Island, this product is phenomenal and surprisingly inexpensive. at $19. It’s been more hydrating that it is cleansing, so I do tend to use this in the morning as it preps my skin for the intense hydration it will need for the day.

3. Serum:

A serum is a must-have step because it is essential to lock moisture into your skin. One of its main purposes is to help hydrate the skin on a deeper level. It also has been linked to helping treat wrinkles and redness. However, be cautious about using serums because sometimes they can be drying if not used properly. I use two serums every day which is Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol, both of which are from Yeouth. I use the HA in the mornings because it slightly exfoliates the skin but also has brightening effects. A little tends to go a very long way for both of these products. My night time serum is Retinol, which does wonders when it comes to aging, all of my coworkers live by it and they DO NOT look their ages. I try not to use it every night because you should allow your skin time to get used to retinoids before using it repeatedly. However, I do suggest speaking to a doctor before prolonged use because it can cause birth defects if you are or trying to become pregnant. This might be something to take into consideration before using it. Other serums I enjoy include:

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5: Another alcohol-free and vegan product, this serum is great for all skin types and won Allure Best of Beauty Award. It is also super affordable, for the price of $6.80, my breakfast cost more than the bottle. It is another exfoliating product, but it also helps with blemishes plus with the added benefit of B5, it provides intense hydration to your skin and well isn’t that what this is all about?

Full of Grace, Lush Cosmetics: Full of Grace is one of my favorite products to test and not buy. For its little size, it is beyond me why this product is so pricey. While it shows up as a moisturizer on their website, any Lush employee will tell you about their Full of Grace SERUM. Made with mushroom extract and chamomile, I don’t have to tell you that this might not have the most attractive scent. However, tropical butters do make this product extremely moisturizing. My only issue with it is for $16.95, I wish it came in something larger.

 

4. Moisturizer:

Cracked skin is always a no, even in times like the end of the world. Moisturizers are necessary for winter months to prevent dry skin, peeling, as well as a much larger array of issues. It also helps to prevent wrinkles, and a moisturizer with SPF can help prevent sunspots. I always suggest using a lighter moisturizer in the warmer months and a heavier one once the cold weather begins to set in. You wouldn’t want heavy lotion on your skin in the summer because it would melt off, so why would you want something heavy on your skin to clog your pores? My favorite moisturizers for the low include:

Cetaphil Daily Advance Lotion: Cetaphil is another company that is good for people with sensitive or eczema-prone skin. This lotion contains vitamins E and B5 and provides 24-hour hydration. This is amazing for those days when you go outside and the wind just slaps all the moisture off of you. My New Yorkers know exactly what I mean. It’s fragrance-free and comes in two sizes, both of which are totally affordable. The 16 oz is $11.39, at Target and that can last a pretty long time.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Cream: Also doubling as a primer, this cream is oil-free, alcohol-free, and it won’t clog your pores. My favorite part about this product is that the quality is so well it is often compared to much higher-end products from other companies. It runs anywhere between $10- $15 depending on where you buy it.

5. Face Masks

It doesn’t matter to me if they’re sheet masks or mud masks, MASKS ARE MY THING! Seriously, put me on a deserted island with 3 things, and one of those 3 would have to be a mask. Let my skin stay fresh sis. Face masks are phenomenal for the pure fact that they do so much. Between removing dirt and impurities and providing your skin with more moisture, Face Masks really is that girl. When it comes to sheet masks, please remember not to keep them on for too long because it will pull out the moisture it just gave you, leaving your skin dry af. Some of my favorite face masks include

Mask of Magnaminty, Lush Cosmetics: This mask is CLEANSING, with Kaolin clay and peppermint oil, please expect to remove the mask and come out as a whole new person. The peppermint does cause a bit of a tingle but nothing that will cause any abrasions or issues with the skin. I tend to wash the mask off and spray a little Breath of Fresh Air on and I feel expensive. However, as expensive as you’ll feel after this, you won’t have to break the bank for this product, the smallest option costs $14.95 but seeing that it is a face and body mask I do tend to go for the medium option that is a bit bigger so I can always be prepared for apocalyptic dangers with fresh skin.

Indian Healing Clay: While I am sure everyone has heard a lot about this clay and has mixed reviews, I finally decided to give it a try this year. Unlike the instructions recommend, I used water as opposed to ACV and it does tingle and feels weird but, this is an intensive face mask. It’s supposed to pull all the impurities from deep under your skin to the surface, and I am so seeing that with the first pimple I’ve experienced since childhood, but it does leave your skin super clear and detoxified. I got mine on sale for $7, but I know they are usually around $12, and the tub is really big… I’m pretty sure this will be with me for a while now.

Honorable Mention:Cleansing Brush

While your hands may work just fine, I often suggest investing in a cleansing brush for the simple fact that like toner, a cleansing brush will help to remove all of the dirt and impurities you didn’t even know was there. Cleansing brushes are one of the items you don’t want to skimp out on because a good one will last a while, making it completely all worth the money.

Just to reiterate, I am not an Esthetician, but I did want to share some of my favorite skincare products during these trying times of quarantine. While you’re stuck at home, at least be stuck with good skin so those TikTok videos show off how much your skin is flourishing. I hope everyone stays safe, and remember social distancing is super important.

And That’s The Tea,

Bri.

*Micellar water normally should be rinsed off, so please make sure you are purchasing the non rinse one.

*Author’s Note 5/11: I recently stopped using toner because they’re all causing reactions to my face. Once we’re allowed outside again, I will be visiting my dermatologist for answers.