Want to find skincare products that work without spending all your well-earned money? Close your internet browser, because we’ve done the hard work for you – and everything is under £30!
For the first time in years, skincare sales are overtaking make-up. For Estée Lauder, skin products brought in £1.3 billion in sales in 2019, up 16 percent from the previous year (Euromonitor). Experts suspect that this trend is being driven by people wanting to solve their complexion woes rather than cover them up, as well as a ballooning wellness industry that prioritises health over aesthetics. With buzzy brands such as Glossier, (which originally started out as a make-up company), expanding it’s skincare offering, the demand for the brand’s USP ‘glass-skin'(the fancy name for clear, luminous, seemingly transparent complexion), is ever-growing. The good news? There are plenty of budgetfriendly options available to help your skin look its best. Here’s how you can get results without spending big.
For your face
Sunscreen
SPF isn’t just for the warmer months – it’s a must-have on our bathroom shelf. “SPF helps to protect against skin cancer as well as the signs of ageing,” says Dr Ross Perry (cosmedics. co.uk). “It’s best to wear a separate SPF all year round, but if you aren’t already doing that, then choose a moisturiser with a high one that’s built-in. And, make sure you put plenty on if so, as the amount in moisturisers tends to be low.”
H&W Loves
- Hawaiian Tropic Face Lotion SPF30, £11.99, feelunique.com
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Anti-Shine Tinted Dry Touch Gel Cream, £14.85, escentual.com
Exfoliator
Thankfully, the years of thinking that exfoliators would strip our skin of moisture are far behind us. These days, they’re best-known for helping us achieve a luminous glow. “An exfoliator should contain ingredients which remove excess oil, pollutants and dead cells from the skin,” says Dr Cetto (zo-skinhealth.co.uk). “Jojoba esters, from the (jojoba) plant, help remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. Beta and alpha-hydroxy acids will chemically exfoliate and mechanically remove those cells. Other ingredients to keep on your radar are antioxidants such as vitamin C, which protect and neutralise free radicals.”
H&W Loves
- Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator, £16.50, feelunique.com
- Pai Kukui & Jojoba Skin Brightening Exfoliator, £21, lookfantastic.com
Moisturiser
Sometimes changes in the environment can make skin feel dry and dehydrated, so choose a moisturiser that won’t block your pores. “Avoid anything not lipid-based, as this can clog your pores,” says Dr Cetto. “A cream high in proteins can also disrupt our skin’s natural barrier, so look out for ingredients such as retinol, which stimulates renewal and collagen production, as well as vitamin E, which provides antioxidant properties.” Moisturisers that are packed full of vitamins are a musthave, skincare experts agree. “Flavonoids and vitamins A, B, C and E will nourish and protect dry types,” says dermatologist Emma Colemen (emmacolemanskin.com). “Niacinamide is proven to be particularly effective in rosacea reduction and beta-carotene helps to maintain overall skin health.”
H&W Loves
- Restore Extra Rich Day Cream SPF20, £12.50, marksandspencer.com
- e.l.f. Daily Hydration Moisturiser, £9, feelunqiue.com
Cleanser
It’s not just important to cleanse your face if you wear make-up; throughout the day, our skin is exposed to pollutants, so it’s essential that we commit to a regular cleaning routine. “Oat-based amino acids cleanse the skin without drying it and help to revive our skin barrier’s function,” says Dr Cetto. And sometimes, when it comes to cleansers, simplicity is better. “Castor oil is extracted from castor beans and is excellent for cleansing and peeling because it’s not quickly absorbed by the skin,” says Emma. “It attracts and draws the dirt and oil out so it can then be removed with a tepid cotton face cloth or muslin.”
H&W Loves
- Caudalie Make-Up Removing Cleansing Oil, £18, feelunique.com
- Milky Jelly Cleanser, £8, glossier.com
Toner
Another essential for your skincare routine is a toner that you can use after cleansing. “Waters such as rose, orange blossom and lavender tighten pores after cleansing to protect the skin from contaminants,” says Emma. “These extracts are also kinder, so they won’t leave your skin red and angry. Witch hazel has been used as an astringent for centuries and helps to control excess sebum production, making it a good choice in toners for acne-prone skin, as well as anti-ageing products.”
H&W Loves
- Garnier SkinActive Naturals Rose Water Botanical Toner, £3.49, feelunique.com
- Mario Badescu Witch Hazel And RoseWater Toner, £11.60, beautybay.com
Face masks
Masks are great for delivering a higher concentration of active ingredients to vitalise our skin. “Face masks can also be a way of suppling antioxidants or moisturising agents to our skin,” says Emma. “For removing dead skin or reducing oil, look for masks containing acids such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid. For increasing hydration, try aloe vera or hyaluronic acid-containing masks. For brightening, go for antioxidants masks containing vitamin C or vitamin E.”
H&W loves
- yes to Grapefruit Vitamin C Glow Boosting Paper Mask, £3.49, lookfantastic.com
- My Clarins RE-CHARGE Relaxing Sleep Mask, £24, clarins.co.uk
For your body
Exfoliator
Removing dead skin cells doesn’t just make our skin feel soft, it gives it a brighter appearance. “One of the most popular body exfoliator ingredients around now is coffee,” says Rachel Huskinson beauty therapist and director of SKIN Lounge. “Ground coffee can treat cellulite as it contains caffeine and targets redness, acting as a natural anti-inflammatory when used on your face and body. Himalayan pink salt is another great ingredient as it targets rough and dry patches of skin.”
H&W Loves
- PraNaturals Pink Himalayan Salt Body Scrub, £16.99, amazon.co.uk
- UpCircle Coffee Body Scrub with Cacao, £11.95, feelunqiue.com
Body lotion
Showers often strip our bodies of oil, so it’s important to rehydrate our skin following one. “Ingredients such as jojoba oil, avocado oil and olive oil are great natural ingredients to look out for when you’re buying body oils, moisturisers and creams,” says Rachel. “Olive oil contains antioxidants that fight free-radical damage and also contains squalene, which hydrates the skin. Vitamin E is another common ingredient found in oils, creams and moisturisers which repairs the skin, as well as reviving it after sun damage and keeping moisture locked in. Another key ingredient to look for in creams is vitamin A (retinol). As well as reducing fine lines and wrinkles by increasing collagen, it’s also used to stimulate the production of new blood vessels, increasing the cell turnover and improving uneven skin tones.”
H&W Loves
- Daily Moisturising After Shower Mist, £7.49, superdrug.com
- Sukin Hydrating Body Lotion, £14.95, lookfantastic.com
Footcare
Having supple feet means investing in a good exfoliator and a moisturiser. “Salt is great for those of us who suffer from dry skin,”says Rachel. “It removes dead skin cells to reveal smoother feet. To keep the skin feeling nourished and hydrated, look for skin-friendly ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil and peppermint.”
H&W Loves
- Footner Exfoliating Socks, £9.99, boots.co.uk
- Margaret Dabbs Foot Hygiene Cream, £16, feelunqiue.com
