Skincare on a budget? Stick to these essentials.

In life, while there are some luxuries I enjoy pampering myself with, skincare will always remain a top priority for me. Fashion and makeup trends come and go but a good skincare routine (resulting in good, healthy skin) will always stay.

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Cleanser

Surely one of the most essential steps in setting the stage right for the perfect canvas, a good cleanser is a must. Cleansers come in various forms, from oil-based, to milk to balm. It’s important to find one that is suitable for your skin type, be it combination, acne-prone and oily or dry and one that does a good job cleaning out all the gunk without drying out your skin.

To try:

Lemon Quartz Ultra Soft Facial Cleansing Oil doubles up as a makeup remover and cleanser that is effective even on waterproof makeup. Skin is thoroughly cleansed and left feeling nourished and soft, without feeling dry.

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Toner

Some may think this step can be skipped but the right toner not only ensures your skin is really clean from makeup and dirt, it can help to clean off dead skin cells. This is a good way of prepping your skin for the other skincare products you are about to layer onto your skin, ensuring they are all well absorbed and working effectively for you.

To try:

Suitable for normal to dry skin types, Rose Ginseng Ginseng-Infused Brightening Facial Toner is a gentle, oil-free toner that works wonders in rejuvenating dull, ageing skin, tightening pores and refining the appearance of rough skin.

Retinol

One of the most effective ingredients to incorporate into your antiaging skincare routine is surely retinol, also known as Vitamin A. Retinol is renowned for helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines , evening out and brightening skin tone and even fight off acne. Armed with a plethora of skincare benefits, this is a must-have to keep skin looking healthy and ageing at bay.

To try:

A definite top seller, Age Defy Rejuvenating & Anti-Aging Lotion is a hydrating wonder cream packed with hyaluronic acid and Vitamin A to complement each other in toning, firming and lifting skin while providing long-lasting hydration.

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Moisturiser

Rounding off your skincare regime with a moisturiser will ensure all the essential skincare goodness of the previous skincare products used is locked in. There’s a common myth that oily skin types can skip the daily moisturiser but that’s simply not true. Oily skin types need moisturising too to help rebalance the skin, and in doing so will produce less oil over time.

To try:

Whether your skin is dehydrated or sensitive, Luminizing II Replenishing & Moisturising Cream is a gentle, non-comedogenic formula that not only provides intense hydration to parched skin, it also boosts skin’s health and resilience for a dewy, luminous finish.

Sunscreen

Now that you’ve put in all the effort to ensure your skin is clean and healthy, don’t let your skin down by neglecting to apply sunscreen. Regardless of sun, wind, rain, snow, sunscreen is integral for your skincare. Without sunscreen, UV damage can easily undo all the good work you’ve put in, accelerating ageing and poor skin health.

To try:

Umbrella UV-Protection & Light Diffusing Cream contains a mega dose of SPF 70 to well and truly protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays. Suitable even for sensitive skin types and children alike, this sunscreen promises to protect for up to 240 minutes in water. That is 4 hours if you’re happy for me to do the Maths.