Every Step In Your Skincare Routine For Less Than €20
Because you don’t need expensive skincare products to have good skin.
Welcome to Glow Notes! A newsletter that’s equal parts skincare wisdom and a peek inside everything new and noteworthy in the beauty world, written by me, Simone Gannon - an aesthetic practitioner, skincare educator, and beauty journalist of over 15 years.
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Recently, I’ve received messages from several readers asking for affordable skincare recommendations. It’s also a very common request I receive on Instagram, especially during Q&As.
Instead of just responding individually with a few recommendations, I thought I’d go a step further and create a complete list that covers every step of your skincare routine - along with some bonus products, like eye gels, sheet masks and spot treatments.
Why? Because not every step in your skincare routine requires a splurge – and you don’t need to use expensive products to have good skin (you do need to be consistent, though - no matter what products you choose to use).
So, whether you want to save on your entire skincare routine or just on certain steps and splurge elsewhere, this list is for you.
A few points to note before we dive in:
I’ve included six product options for each step, all of which are tried and tested by me (and are either in rotation right now or have been in the past).
I’ve also included tips on frequency of use and best practice approaches for each step to help you get the most out of your products.
Everything on the list is less than €20 (some are even under €10). In one or two cases, I’ve recommended a travel sized version of a product, but the majority of the products are full size.
Ready? Let’s begin!
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Cleansers
Oils, creams, balms, gels - there are many different types to choose from. Whatever your preference, there's one here for you. Generally, a balm or oil is best for your first cleanse at night to break down makeup and sunscreen, followed by a lighter cream cleanser to remove any traces of the oil or balm, and to make sure your skin is really clean.
Frequency: Morning and evening.
Best Practice: An effective cleanse will take 1-2 minutes. It’s also a good idea to spend a few extra seconds on areas you’re prone to breakouts (nose, chin, etc.).
Bonus Tip: If you have very dry skin, sometimes it can help to skip your morning cleanse, as you’re just removing the moisture you worked hard to build up overnight. Do a quick once over with water and then carry on with your normal routine.
The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser - this is a more targeted cleanser for acne prone or congested skin. Use as a treatment cleanser, 2-3 times a week to start.
Exfoliants
Frequency: 1-2 times a week
Best Practice: There are different types of skincare acids for exfoliation.
AHAs like Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid work on the surface of the skin (to improve texture, glow, for anti-ageing, etc.).
BHAs like Salicylic Acid work deeper in the skin (to reduce breakouts, manage oil, etc.).
And PHA is an all-rounder option for sensitive skin. I’ve included a mixture of all in the list below, so make sure to choose one to suit your concerns.
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