How to Look Like a Million Bucks For Under $100

Gorgeous skin shouldn’t be a luxury and thanks to the affordable skin care products below, it doesn’t have to be. While there are plenty of fabulous skin care products on the market all very worth the splurge that comes with their high price tags, for some of us—especially those of us who are just starting out a skin care routine—spending that money on our beauty routine just isn’t in the cards. But, with the products below—all ringing up for less than $25 each—you can have a full morning and night skin care routine for under $100 total! Rich girl skin on a budget? Yes, please!

3-Step Morning Routine

In the morning you’re going to want to have your basics: a gentle cleanser to remove any sweat or product buildup from your trip to snooze city, a moisturizer plus SPF to protect your skin while it hydrates, and a primer to help blur away any imperfections you’re looking to hide.

Step 1: Cleanse

Cleansing your skin is the perfect way to start your day. You’ll want to make sure you use a gentle cleanser that removes buildup, dirt, and grime, but doesn’t strip your skin of its moisture. We love micellar waters for this very reason, especially Vichy’s Purete Thermale 3-in-1 One Step Solution ($14.50). This refreshing solution—formulated with Vichy’s proprietary mineralizing water from the French volcanoes—helps to purify the skin’s surface, cleanse, and soothe. 

Step 2: Moisturize + SPF

If there’s one thing all of our expert dermatologists agree on, it’s that after cleansing, you must moisturize. Another must? Wearing a broad-spectrum SPF—even if you’re just sitting inside all day! When trying to stay on budget—and save time—we reach for products that pull double-duty. This is why we love Garnier’s Clearly Brighter Anti-Sun Damage Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 ($14.99) Formulated with an antioxidant complex of vitamins C and E, exfoliating lipo-hydroxy acid (LHA), and SPF 30, this non-greasy moisturizer not only hydrates and protects your skin, but also helps to reveal a more radiant complexion.

Step 3: Prime

Before you start your makeup application, prep your skin and blur away any visible imperfections with a primer. We love Maybelline’s Master Prime ($9.99, price may vary). It comes in three weightless, water-based formulas—Blur + Smooth, Blur + Illuminate, and Blur + Redness Control—that can be worn alone or under makeup.

Morning Total: $39.48

4-Step Nightly Routine

Step 1: Remove Makeup and Cleanser

Since we’re on a budget and we're already using a fabulous cleanser in the morning that can remove makeup and purify the skin, reach for that micellar water again! Depending on the amount of makeup you wear, you may want to go sweep the cotton pad over your face more than once.

Step 2: Serum

After cleansing, reach for a serum that can help you tackle some of your skin care concerns. If you’re looking to refine the look of pores, lines, and uneven texture, look no further than L’Oréal Paris’ Youth Code Texture Perfector Serum Concentrate ($24.99).

Step 3: Moisturize

After your serum, hydrate your skin with a great moisturizer like Garnier’s Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream ($5.99). This refreshing moisturizer offers lasting hydration—up to 24 hours!—which helps your skin to look more supple and smooth.

Step 4: Eye Cream

Take care of your peepers with a daily eye cream that you can apply both morning and night, if desired. We like L’Oréal Paris’ Eye Defense ($13.89). This non-greasy, gel-cream formula helps to diminish the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines.

Nightly Routine Total: $44.87

Grand Total: $84.35