I am not and never have been a skincare snob.
Don’t get me wrong – I love as much as the next person a fancy pants bottle adoring my bathroom shelf and the promise of complexion perfection and eternal youth ( Yup I have believed I would in fact wake up looking like one of those flawless poreless 19 year old airbrushed models after smearing myself in “the latest cult” moisturiser)
But really folks….a lot of it really is utter marketing Boll*cks.
Believe me I’ve tried enough “wonder products” and consulted enough dermatologists to finally realise the fact that spending lots of your hard earned dollar doesn’t necessarily equal a blemish free epidermis. It often just means you get some incredibly stylish packaging. And uber cool advertising campaigns.
Now I’m by no means any expert but I have put together a few of my cheap but chic favourites for you to try if you are unhappy with your current routine. And clearly it won’t cost you the earth.
Cleansing
PONDS Cold Cream Much loved and been around for donkey’s years this pot of ponds is ideal if your skin is desperately dry ( or just in need of a deep cleanse with a softly softly approach)…. use with a warm damp flannel to remove every scrap of make-up and leave you all fresh and dewy.
AVENE eye-make-up remover No oils, fragrance or nasty chemicals this lightweight gel is perfection for sensitive peepers whilst still removing layer upon layer of mascara ( seriously I’ve tested it – 5 layers of black lash goop, liquid liner, eyeshadow, glitter the works…..this baby removes it without a single tingle)
NIVEA for men sensitive face wash And no I don’t just mean for your man, I LOVE this stuff – it’s mild, it’s gentle and it removes impurities without leaving your skin feeling taut. It is also under £4 ( total bargain!) and you can even buy it in Tesco. One to put in your trolley when you next pop out for peas.
Hydrating
AVEENO moisturising cream A few years ago I had burning bumpy rashy eczema nightmare all over my cheeks and forehead and feeling blue about the whole situation went and booked myself a consultation with a very well respected UK dermatologist ( You have your skin for life so I figured it was worth the investment).
He recommended this cream.
And I have used it religiously ever since.
I use a weeny bit as an eye cream when my skin is super dry, whenever I get a patch of eczema or just when I feel like it. Has a nice matt effect finish and the natural collodial oatmeal does a great job of reducing redness.
OLAY complete care It has spf 15, it sinks in a treat and seems to work well under make-up. It doesn’t leave you resembling a chip pan either. What more could you want eh?
ROSA MOSQUETA treatment oil This beauty oil is rich in essential fatty acids and is especially effective as an intensive before bedtime treat – I rub a few drops in ( avoiding the eye area) and wake up glowing. Rosa Mosqueta is renowned for its scar reducing capabilities – I have used it on mine and they really are less noticeable. Available at all good health food stores.
Treatments
NO 7 total renewal exfoliator I’ve tried a lot of facial scrubs ( expensive and not so much) and this is by far my favourite. It really seems to remove dead skin cells without leaving you lobster like. I use it once/twice a week and follow with the Aveeno cream.
VASELINE petroleum jelly Anyone not own one of these blue tubs of delight? I don’t just use it for lips though, I also use it on my brows when they are having a mental ( I like the sheen) and when my nose is incredibly dry from a cold ( like erm… the whole of this week) – I rub a little bit in and leave it over night. Doesn’t look particularly attractive but does the job.
FREEDERM gel I’ll be honest I tend to sway towards flakes rather than spots but if ever I do feel a potential pimple arise I whack some of this almost invisible magic on the offending area. By morning it is no where to be seen.
Minus the Rosa Mosqueta oil all of these bits of lovely can be found at larger Boots stores.
Use any of this cheap and thrilling skincare?
Use any cheap and thrilling skincare that we need to know about?
Then please drop us a comment, would love to know what’s out there that works and doesn’t necessarily cost the earth.
Big cheap and thrilling Love
Charlotte xxx
Bought aveeno this Monday, was having a skin nightmare after a reaction to a new product, all my normal moisturisers were making it worse, and the previous night I’d resorted to putting vaceline all over my face! It is the most amazing cream ever, my face was back to normal by Wednesday and now it is so soft. It’s the best skin product I’ve bought in literally years! Don’t usually comment but had to rave about this!
I love the make up and beauty posts – thanks Charlotte
Not sure it qualifies as “cheap” but MAC Cleanse Off Oil removes every last scrap of make up and is my best buy. I also use all of Liz Earle’s products and they are also fab, especially if you have sensitive skin as its all natural ingredients. Their website is also brill and has customer reviews.
xxx