When it comes to beauty and skincare products, costs can add up quickly. We’ve definitely overspent at Ulta or Sephora on their top of the line items in the past! Sometimes in life, we have to learn the hard way before we finally GET it. You don’t know until you know, right? We hope to spare you the same inner cringe by offering up five beauty products you do not need to spend a ton of money on (unless you want to!) Here we go:
Face Cleansers
Don’t dish out your hard-earned cash for a product that you literally wash down the drain. When it comes to an effective drugstore cleanser, look for non-irritating ingredients that cleanse the skin, like hydrating glycerin and salicylic acid (which smoothes dry, rough patches). We like Cerave SA Smoothing Cleanser ($13.23, shop here) and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel ($7.99, shop here) for their simple, effective formulas.
Sheet Masks
Sheet masks can be fun to use—and some are very affordable. But you could get the same result by putting any hydrating serum on your face and following up with a moisturizer. Sheet masks aren’t good for the environment—plus, they tend to be messy and require 20-30 minutes of time spent for each use. Instead, we like Trader Joe’s Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum ($8.99 at TJ’s, or shop here) and The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum ($7.99, shop here). Both are fragrance-free, absorb seamlessly into the skin, and complement any moisturizer. They leave the skin bouncy and glowing. Yes, please.
Moisturizer
A good moisturizer is essential to any skincare routine, but it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Look for glycerin, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and ceramides to help provide and support hydration. You don’t need luxury packaging and heavy formulas with strong, potentially irritating fragrances. The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA ($5.80, shop here) provides all-day hydration for every skin type. The Olay Regenerist line ($28.99, shop here) has several options, including fragrance-free day moisturizers ($28.99, shop here) and a nighttime moisturizer with Retinol ($28.99, shop here) that will change your mind about drugstore skincare.
Lip gloss
We love a good lip gloss. Ideally, it hydrates, gives a shiny pop of color, and feels good on the lips. In reality, so many of them are drying or sticky and don’t last long. That doesn’t mean you have to give them up, though! Where would the fun be in that? Maybelline Lifter Gloss with Hyaluronic Acid ($6.99, shop here) doesn’t feel sticky on the lips, provides hydrating shine, and applies smoothly with a great applicator. There is a range of highly wearable shades to match every skin tone, too. Glossier Lip Gloss ($14, shop here) is another popular option. It’s formulated with vitamin E and jojoba oil to give lips a skincare-level treatment while providing gorgeous, glassy shine. Four shades offer a hint of shimmer and color, while also layering well over lipstick. The wide, doe-foot applicator grabs the right amount of product, so you get plenty of shine but no gloop.
Hopefully, this list will help you save a little money without compromising on quality and effectiveness!