AFFORDABLE AND FANTASTIC SKINCARE

It can be all too easy to get sucked into the hype of fancy skincare. When you see gorgeous packaging and luxurious ingredients, you want to believe you'd be doing your skin a favour by investing. But sometimes the best thing that you can do for your skin is keep it simple. There are loads affordable and fantastic products out there. They may not generate the same level of excitement, but they can deliver excellent results.

Cleansers
Cerave Hydrating Cleanser:
This is the most affordable skincare item of the bunch, particularly when you look at the quantity you receive in one bottle (double what most cleanser contain). Cerave skincare is well known for being a good option for sensitive skin types. I've certainly found that to be the case with this cleanser, but it also impresses me for another reason. While most gel cleansers tend to dry out the skin, this one really manages to hydrate it. It contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides (two well known humectants) that help your skin to retain water.

The Body Shop Aloe Calming Facial Cleanser:
This is another fantastic cleanser for sensitive skin types. I find it to deliver a satisfying clean feeling, while being extremely soothing and non-stripping on the skin. It's a great go to for any type of problematic skin – dry, sensitive or acne prone. This one's a cream formula, for those who prefer to stay away from gels and it's also readily available in the UK (unlike Cerave).

Treatments
Paula's Choice Clear Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution:
Paula's Choice are pretty well known for creating quality products at a reasonable price. They're cruelty free, come with a money back guarantee and contain no added irritating ingredients. Their BHA toners have become quite famous for delivering fantastic results. I searched far and wide for a BHA toner with no added alcohol or witch hazel (two drying ingredients) and this was one of the only ones I could find. It doesn't sting or irritate the skin in the slightest upon application. 

Alpha Hydrox 10% AHA Anti Wrinkle Treatment:
If Paula's Choice is a challenge to get a hold of or you find AHA's to be more effective for your skin then check out Neoteric Cosmetics' Alpha Hydrox Line. I ordered their Oil Free 10% AHA Anti Wrinkle Treatment off iherb and I've been very impressed. It's a light-weight glycolic acid gel that contains a multitude of soothing ingredients (green tea, sea kelp extract, B5) and sits well under makeup. I have to admit, I wasn't expecting such a stellar product in such a dinky package.

Moisturizers
La Roche Posay Toleriane Riche:
The price of this moisturizer varies quite a lot depending on your country of residence. However, I find there are usually good deals on Escentual any which way. This was the first moisturizer I used that I actually found to make a dramatic difference. It really delivers an extra boost of hydration to the skin. The only downfall is the packaging – the last third of the product is near impossible to squeeze out. The good news is LRP resolved that issue with with their Toleriane Ultra Moisturizer, which is very similar (maybe just slightly less hydrating) and comes with a pump.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel:
Completely different to the LRP Toleriane moisturizers is the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. This moisturizer doesn't deliver a load of hydration at all. So why do I like it? It's a fantastic daytime moisturizer for oily skins. It hydrates just enough to last for the day and it dries completely smooth and matte. It's a great choice for anyone who can't stand the greasy feeling most moisturizers leave behind. To be clear, I would never recommend this moisturizer for dry skin types. Clinique skincare might not be drugstore cheap, but $18 CAD for a 1.7oz 'ent half bad.