How to Revamp Your Skin Care Arsenal with Less Than $100
January 25, 2019
We all want our skin to look like a million bucks, but most of us don’t want to spend that much money to achieve it. Here’s a secret, though—you don’t actually have to spend a ton of money on skin care products to reach your skin care goals. If you’re looking to revamp your skin care arsenal without making a big dent in your wallet, read on. We’re sharing steps (and products from the L’Oréal portfolio of brands) to help you get started.
STEP ONE: IDENTIFY YOUR SKIN TYPE
Knowing your skin type and concerns is key to establishing a personalized skin care routine.
For Dry Skin
If you’re worried about dry skin, build your base around super-moisturizing ingredients that can improve skin hydration levels. Ceramides—a type of lipid that serves as one of the main basis for your skin’s fatty layer—are always a great go-to in this regard. The CeraVe Moisturizing Cream houses three essential ceramides along with hyaluronic acid—another hydration powerhouse—to repair and protect the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Plus, it’s available at drugstores, making it both affordable and accessible.
For Acne-Prone Skin
There are plenty of acne-fighting products out there that can help reduce the appearance of blemishes. Scan the product label for ingredients such as sulfur, salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide. One of our favorites is the AcneFree Therapeutic Sulfur Mask to help clear breakouts.
For Combination Skin
Maybe your skin doesn’t fall under just “dry” or “oily.” If that’s the case, you’ve actually fallen under “combination skin,” a mixture of the two. Find products that can tackle both skin types, like the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Toner. This toner can provide complexions with a deep clean without drying it out.
STEP TWO: ESTABLISH TIMING
Are you a morning person or night owl? Whichever the case, here are a few products that can be used both during the AM and PM (and even in-between).
The L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Resurface & Energize Kona Coffee Scrub
The L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Resurface & Energize Kona Coffee Scrub exfoliates the skin and sloughs away any dead flakes, dirt, or unwanted impurities. Your skin will be looking as bright and alert as if you have a shot of espresso in your system.
The L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Resurface & Energize Kona Coffee Scrub, $12.99 MSRP
Garnier SkinActive 3-in-1 Balancing Moisturizer Day/Night Mask with Green Tea
We love our double-duty products. But with the Garnier SkinActive 3-in-1 Balancing Moisturizer Day/Night Mask with Green Tea, you actually get a triple threat. Feel free to use this formula as a quick scrub either during your morning or nighttime routine. Got a little extra time on your hands? If left on for five minutes, the scrub transforms into a mask. Either way your skin will feel balanced and moisturized.
Garnier SkinActive 3-in-1 Balancing Moisturizer Day/Night Mask with Green Tea, $11.99 MSRP
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3
If anti-aging is on your mind, you should definitely consider incorporating retinol into the mix. A highly potent derivative of vitamin A, retinol is a heavy-hitting anti-aging ingredient whose strength could cause light sensitivity, making it essential to use solely in the evening. Our number one retinol suggestion for beginners? The SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3. Not only will you start to see the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles diminish over time, but the SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 houses the lowest concentrate of retinol out of SkinCeuticals’s other retinol products.
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3, $62 MSRP
STEP THREE: INVEST IN THE PERFECT CLEANSER
Cleansers have the ability to refresh your skin while keeping pore-clogging invaders off. Here are a few of our favorite cleansers to add to your arsenal.
Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1
Great for all skin types (sensitive included), the Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 helps to remove makeup, dirt, and stubborn impurities—no harsh scrubbing required. It also now comes in a larger value size that you could share or keep entirely to yourself.
Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 (23.7 fl. oz.), $11.99 MSRP
IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser
Give your skin a confidence boost with the IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser. It hydrates skin as it cleans off dirt and makeup. Your skin will feel soft and cleansed.
IT Cosmetics Confidence-in-a-Cleanser, $28 MSRP
L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Cleanser
This formula—with three pure clays, charcoal, and glycerin—can help detox skin so it can breathe better, as well as brighten its appearance. Immediately after use you can expect skin that’s purified of dirt, oil, and pollution.
L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Cleanser, $6.99 MSRP
STEP FOUR: FIND A FOREVER MOISTURIZER
Your skin needs to remain hydrated for a multitude of reasons, and moisturizers are a surefire way to help keep up the hydration maintenance. Here are a few moisturizers to stock up on while your revamp is underway.
La Roche-Posay Toleraine Double Repair Moisturizer UV
Formulated with SPF 30, this moisturizer protects skin against harmful UV rays while providing a boost of hydration thanks to ceramide-3 and niacinamide. You can rest easy knowing your skin is covered (in more ways than one).
La Roche-Posay Toleraine Double Repair Moisturizer UV, $19.99 MSRP
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
Even though it was recently updated with a friendly, paraben-free formula, the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream remains the super-hydrating favorite it’s always been. With its olive-derived squalane and Antarcticine, the Ultra Facial Cream provides all-day hydration without a greasy residue.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, $30 MSRP
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