11 ways to care for your skin on a budget

Who says great skin needs to cost you a ton of money? If you’re looking for ways to save on your skin care routine, you’re in luck! We share 11 tips and tricks to care for your skin while you’re on a budget, ahead.

Contrary to popular belief, taking care of your skin doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. And saving money on skin care doesn’t necessarily mean switching to cheaper—read: more affordable—skin care products, either. Wondering how to care for your skin while on a budget? Keep reading for 11 budget-friendly lifestyle tips and tricks for getting the most out of your skin care routine.

#1: ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS APPLY SPF

Before you question what wearing SPF 365 days a year and saving money have to do with one another, hear us out. The sun can wreak some serious havoc on the skin—think: dark spots, wrinkles, sun damage, and even skin cancers—and protecting it daily with a broad-spectrum SPF can help  protect your skin form falling victim to various sun-related skin issues. On top of that, it can—in the end—save you money on skin care products you may need in order to help address some of the damage.

#2: USE YOUR PRODUCTS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

Looking for another way to care for your skin on a budget? Consider the order you apply your skin care products. If you aren’t applying products from lightest to thickest, you may not be receiving the full benefits of said products. In the grand scheme of things, using your products in the right order can not only benefit your skin, it can save money and product, too!

#3: DON’T OVERDO IT

While on the subject of using skin care products the right way, you should also consider how much product you are using. Many of us are—unknowingly—guilty of using way too much product, which can be both wasteful and costly. We share a dermatologist-approved guide to help you decipher how much product you really need, here.

#4: GIVE DRUGSTORE CLEANSERS A TRY

While there are some skin care products you should splurge on, one area you can cut cost is with a drugstore brand face wash. If you look at the ingredients of many drugstore face washes, you’ll find that they can be just as effective as say a luxe facial cleanser, only much more budget-friendly. We share some of our favorite—read: must-try—drugstore facial cleansers, here.

#5: DIY TRAVEL-SIZED PRODUCTS

Purchasing travel-sized versions of your favorite products can add up. Cut cost and invest in reusable travel-size bottles and jars that you can refill with your full-sized products, as needed. Not only can this little travel trick help you save money, it can help you avoid using hotel products that could irritate your skin or leave your hair feeling dry.

#6: GIVE TWO-IN-ONE PRODUCTS A TRY

Two-in-one products are always a great idea—especially when trying to save money. The good news is, many skin care and beauty brands offer innovative, dual-purpose products that can target various concerns, nourish, protect, among other things. Not sure where to start? We share three of our favorite—read: must-try picks—for multi-purpose skin care products here.

#7: NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT A UNIVERSAL SKIN SALVE

In addition to two-in-one products, you may also want to consider keeping a universal skin salve on you—we love this $7 one from NYX Professional Makeup—at all times. Universal skin salve can be used in a number of different ways, such as to hydrate dry lips, tame flyaways, highlight cheekbones, nourish cuticles, and so on.

#8: KEEP YOUR SKIN TYPE IN MIND

When shopping for skin care and beauty products, you should always keep your skin type in mind and purchase products accordingly. If you buy a product that is formulated for a different skin type than that of your own, you may experience irritation, discomfort, and other negative side effects that are anything but the results you were hoping for. So, do your skin—and your wallet—a favor and avoid purchasing products that were not made with your skin type in mind.

#9: PAY ATTENTION TO INGREDIENTS

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, when it comes to shopping for an anti-aging skin care product while on a budget, you’ll want to pay close attention to the ingredients and choose a product that is formulated with vitamin A and alpha hydroxy acid. While you may be spending a bit more on these products, the payoff can be worth it in the end.

#10: SUBSCRIBE!

Another way to save money when shopping for skin care products? Subscribe! Many beauty brands now offer an auto-replenishment that provides a discount—and sometimes even free shipping—when you sign up for an auto-pay schedule of certain products. Depending on the brand (and the product) you can receive a replacement every month, every other month, or even every six months.

One auto-replenishment program we love is Clarisonic’s! When purchasing a product directly from their website, you can choose to replenish your supply every month, two months, three months, four months, five months, or six months. As a thank you, you’ll receive 20% off your order and free shipping. Now, that’s a good deal!

#11: DON’T BUY MORE THAN YOU NEED

If you know you aren’t going to use a whole tube, bottle, or jar before it’s expiration date, opt for the travel-size version. That way you won’t waste product—AKA throw money down the drain—when it’s time to toss it.

This can also be a useful tip when testing out new products. If you’re looking to give a new product a try, instead of going for the bigger—read: more expensive—size, pick up the travel sized version… that way you won’t feel bad if you don’t love it.