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8 Ways to Save Money on Skin Care
Let’s face it. Trying to save money on skincare is kind of like trying to square a circle. The latest serums, Korean essences, and holy grail products always seem to take a huge chunk out of our budget. And while good skin is a must, sometimes we start to wonder if it really is worth a fortune.
At the height of my skin care addiction, I didn’t realize I had been using up my savings just to stock up on some cosRX. I think the problem wasn’t necessarily that the products were expensive. But as someone with sensitive skin, I was prone to trying out a new cleanser or moisturizer or any other product, only to find that the thing wasn’t compatible with my skin at all. Talk about a bummer.
Now, I’m a lot more careful with what I buy. This little habit has helped me become more discerning and save more money in the long run.
Take it as a lesson, dear reader, that achieving your skin goals doesn’t have to burn a hole in your wallet. Yes, you CAN get radiant skin without spending a month’s worth of salary! And we’re here to help you how. Without further ado, let us give you some tips on how to save money on skincare products.
How to I save money on skin care
The big question here is: how can we save money on your skin while still making sure the routine is effective? Personally, I think it’s not about buying only cheap products. It’s about knowing which ones are effective and long-lasting.
That said, let’s get on to a few other ways you can get glowing skin on a budget.
Don’t say no to drugstore
Have you ever found that a drugstore cleanser works just as well as your ultra-luxuriant foaming solution? Sometimes, there are wonderful products that lurk just beneath our noses. The next time you’re doing the groceries, don’t walk past the body care aisle. The best finds can be the ones we don’t expect!
Look for effective dupes
In the beauty world, duplicates or “dupes” are alternative products with a similar formulation to more expensive counterparts. If you look hard enough, you’ll be able to find dupes for even the most luxurious brands on the market.
Do note that these dupes aren’t the same as fake skincare and beauty products, but rather legitimate ones that just happen to have a similar formulation as their more expensive counterparts. So unless you have to get the more expensive option, you can buy its dupe instead.
Keep an expense tracker
A money tracker can be the perfect way to allocate one’s resources. Take note of your recommended budget, and soon you’ll find that you’re spending less and saving more! There are different methods to an expense tracker, and you can even go for a digital one like a money saving app or spreadsheet. Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you’ll be less likely to make an unnecessary splurge on skin and beauty products.
Check user reviews
One of the ways to save money on your skin care? Always, always, always check if a product has good reviews. Your skincare routine should be built on quality, not just hype! It’s also great to determine your skin type so you can filter reviewers from those with the same skin condition as yours. Your face is a sensitive being that deserves only nourishment, and diligently scouring through reviews IS a form of self care.
At the end of the day, being keen on looking for ingredients that might be bad on your skin is going to help you in the long run. Practice conscious buying and you’ll find that the amount of money you drop on skincare will lessen.
Go local
Among the many ways to save money on skincare is going local. Instead of spending a fortune on foreign brands, we can save money AND support our own at the same time. Give your skincare routine an upgrade by adding your favorite local brand into the mix.
Go minimal
Rule of thumb: don’t buy more than you need to. If you’re not someone who requires a 10-step skincare routine, then you don’t have to buy too many products anyway. A mistake we tend to make is buying two skincare products of a similar nature, or even ones that cancel each other out.
Next time, give your skincare collection an auditing and see which beauty products you need a next batch of and which ones you can discard. This a great way to maintain clear skin on a budget.
Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen
Okay, here’s a secret to low-budget skin maintenance: sunscreen. I know, you’ve heard it so many times before. But if you have this layer of protection, you can also lessen expenses on trying to repair sun-damaged skin. In the long run, you WILL be saving more.
Sunscreen is one of the best products for your skin, and it works for anyone and everyone. We tend to underestimate how deeply UV rays can penetrate our skin, causing fine lines, wrinkles, and early signs of aging more than we are aware of.
Try D-I-Y
Skincare and beauty products that are store-bought can be a costly form of self-care. Ditch the commercial face masks and try a homemade essence every once in a while! They’re a great way to stay beautiful on a budget. There are plenty of recipes online that don’t take more than 2 ingredients. Just make sure you have some form of coconut or olive oil at your disposal.
Do I need to spend a lot of money on skincare?
Okay, now that we’ve established different ways to save money on skincare, let’s get into the nuances. Some situations definitely call for spending money, while some don’t. The key is identifying needs vs. wants.
If you have a bad case of acne, it is going to need immediate professional treatment. Unless you have insurance that covers a local derma, a consultation plus meds plus needed procedures are going to be expensive. But this is a case of a need as opposed to a want. In this case, you’d be harming yourself if you decide to be stingy.
Likewise, products that are crucial to your specific skin condition should also be a priority. If you have sensitive skin, you might need ultra mild skincare products that aren’t always cheap. A good moisturizer with repairing properties isn’t always going to be economical either, but if that is what your skin needs, we say go for it.
How can I clear up my skin without spending money?
If you’ve been wondering how to save money while still clearing up your skin, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s start with a few simple rules.
Be open to trial and error
It is a universal truth that the most expensive products aren’t always going to be good for your skin or your face. Because the environment within our skin varies from person to person, what’s good for someone else isn’t necessarily going to be the best for you.
But there’s also a risk that comes with only buying cheaper products, since they may contain a lot of harsher (but cheaper, production-wise) ingredients. You should be able to discern what’s best for your own skin when you are looking for products to clear it up.
Don’t be too frugal
Like I said, it’s better to spend money on treating a bad flare-up than possibly worsening it with cheap alternatives. So long as you have a trusted dermatologist, you should always consult with them.
Ditch the harsh procedures
Unless recommended by a healthcare professional, harsh procedures like a facial or an exfoliating peel might do more harm than good. You can also incur up to thousands in regular expenses.
How much should you be spending on skincare?
One of the biggest dilemmas that you will face in your life is deciding whether or not to buy a product that you just have to buy, but you know isn’t really a need.
Okay, maybe the biggest. But trust me when I say I know the temptation. It’s not easy! Truth is, we’re not here to tell you what you do or do not have to do. Instead, simply exercise balance when you look for products. Is this going to be good for your face? Do you find yourself using this for the long term? Do you think you can afford to repurchase it?
You can also stick with the basics. At the end of the day, if you don’t need piles and piles of products in your routine, go for a simple one instead. Sometimes, your skin will clear up with a more minimal regimen.
Do you find yourself spending too much on your own routine? I know the struggle! But on the plus side, there are plenty of ways to save money while still taking good care of your skin. Now that we’ve laid them all out, we hope you find the habit that works for you.
Joey is an AB Psychology graduate of the University of St. La Salle – Bacolod. Her life’s passions include writing, film, and spending hours on end binge-watching fashion vloggers on Youtube.