Take it from the experts. “Often the price of the product isn’t defined by the quality or ingredients that are used,” says Dr Salomé Metreveli, dermatologist and founder of Sky Clinic. It could be an indication of something else, for example packaging or marketing. “You can always find more cost-effective alternatives that do the same or sometimes even a better job,” Dr Metreveli tells R29.
The consensus is similar over on TikTok, with the hashtag #budgetskincare amassing an impressive 128.1 million views and counting. Here, you’ll spot skincare enthusiasts and experts extolling the virtues of bargain skincare they’ve stumbled across lately, and with costs rising left, right and centre, this is certainly welcome.
Cosmetic dermatologist Dr Divya Shokeen went viral when she revealed that skincare basics (such as your cleanser and even your sunscreen) don’t have to come with a steep price tag in order to work well. It’s fair to say that our attitude towards skincare has shifted massively and that’s all thanks to an army of affordable yet sophisticated skincare brands, which are re-evaluating what “luxury” means.
Take The Ordinary, for instance, arguably the first brand to disrupt the skincare market with its transparent, ingredient-led offering at purse-friendly prices. Then there’s The Inkey List, which is rubbing shoulders with the likes of Chanel and La Mer in Selfridges, not to mention Q+A Skincare, Facetheory and Skin Proud.
What you choose to spend your hard-earned cash on is up to you, of course. But we had to ask the experts to give it to us straight: Which skincare products would they rarely spend more than £15 on?
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
This story was originally published in January 2023 and has since been updated.
Retinol Serum
“I’m a big fan of retinol as it’s just so versatile,” says medical and cosmetic doctor Ewoma Ukeleghe, founder of SKNDOCTOR. “It helps improve skin texture, fine lines and hyperpigmentation but it doesn’t have to be a big spend. This own-brand option from Superdrug is fantastic and boasts additional niacinamide (vitamin B3) to improve the skin’s overall appearance.”
When using retinol, the key to achieving the best result is to go slow. Start with a low percentage (such as this at 0.4%) just twice a week and always in the evening. After a couple of weeks (if your skin has tolerated the ingredient well) you might like to step up your usage to every other night. It’s also really important to apply a high factor, broad spectrum sunscreen during the day, as retinol can make skin sensitive to sunlight.
Superdrug Optimum Retinol Serum, $, available at Superdrug
Sunscreen
“When we choose a sunscreen for our face, the product’s price should not be a determining factor,” says Dr Metreveli. “This is truly an amazing product,” she continues. “It’s a broad spectrum UV protection cream, as well as a primer, so it creates a great base for makeup to sit on. I also rate the inclusion of active ingredients [like peptides and grape extract] to help fight inflammation.”
Some SPFs get a bad rap for being heavy and leaving a chalky cast, but this one glides on easily and disappears seamlessly. It’s an affordable £15 for Beauty Pie subscribers.
You might also like to try Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50+ Super UV Invisible Face Serum, £14, or Altruist Face Fluid SPF 50, £10.95, both of which are R29 favourites.
Beauty Pie Featherlight UVA/UVB SPF 50 Sunscreen + Primer, $, available at Beauty Pie
Balm Cleanser
The main things to look for in a cleanser, says NHS dermatologist Dr Cristina Psomadakis, are that it suits your skin type, your routine and is a texture that you find enjoyable to use.
“Your cleanser literally goes down the drain,” says Dr Psomadakis, “so you don’t want to think about the money you’ve spent on it! The Inkey List has a variety of cleansers, all incredibly affordable and suitable to a variety of complexions. My favourite is the Oat Cleansing Balm (£12), which is super hydrating and great at removing makeup.”
The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm, $, available at Cult Beauty
Eye Cream
Some dermatologists argue that eye cream is ineffective on gripes like dark circles and eye bags. If your moisturiser is ophthalmologist tested, you can take it up to the eye area for a moisturising boost. But if you’re an eye cream devotee?
“More and more skincare brands are launching affordable eye creams with innovative formulas and textures that are brimming with ingredients that work,” says skincare chemist Faye Purcell. “My hero is the new Q+A Vitamin C Eye Cream (£8),” says Purcell. “It’s packed full of actives so it delivers multiple results,” such as brightening (that’ll be the vitamin C) and hydrating (thanks to the niacinamide).
“Antioxidants like vitamin C help neutralise what we call free radicals [molecules in the environment from smoke, pollution and UV, for instance] which can damage the skin,” adds Purcell. “Vitamin C is also known to brighten dark under-eye circles and help boost collagen production,” making skin supple.
Q+A Natural Skincare Vitamin C Eye Cream, $, available at Q + A Skin
A Winter Moisturiser
“I love the entire e.l.f. skincare line,” says board certified dermatologist Jenny Liu, “but the Pure Skin Moisturiser (£12), is particularly one of my favourites. A good moisturiser should contain occlusives to prevent water loss, humectants to add water and emollients to soften skin. This ticks all three. It’s a rich cream that’s ideal for sensitive and dry skin. It’s also fragrance-free and features niacinamide [which protects the skin’s fragile outer layer, prevents excess oil and provides an anti-inflammatory effect], ceramides [fats that act like glue to keep the skin intact and soft] and oat milk [super moisturising] to help to support the skin barrier.”
You might also like CeraVe Moisturising Cream, £11.50, with ceramides and hydrating hyaluronic acid, or BYOMA Moisturising Rich Cream, £14.99, with ceramides and moisturising shea.
e.l.f. Pure Skin Moisturiser, $, available at Boots
Spot Treatment
“Acnecide Face Gel Spot Treatment Benzoyl Peroxide (£9.99), is great for people with mild acne or if you’re having a flare-up at that point,” says Dr Sarah Tonks, aesthetic doctor at The Lovely Clinic. “I use it instead of the much higher priced Obagi Clenziderm Therapeutic Lotion, or it can save someone the expense of a private prescription cost.”
This gel contains the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide at 5%, which eliminates 95% of bacteria that cause spots. It also helps reduce excess oil on the skin while added ingredient glycerin provides a moisturising effect to counteract any drying results.
Acnecide Face Gel Spot Treatment Benzoyl Peroxide, $, available at Superdrug
Foaming Cleanser
“I love this cleanser,” says board certified consultant dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite, “as it easily cuts through excess oil and dirt and removes makeup but never leaves my skin feeling tight or dry.” Dr Granite adds: “The calming and cleansing formula includes ceramides, hyaluronic acid and one of my must-have ingredients, niacinamide, to help soothe the skin and restore its natural barrier.” The texture is a gel at first but lathers up into a gentle foam — ideal for those with combination skin.
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin, $, available at Boots
Face Masks
“This can be used daily over dry cheeks, as an intensive mask or overnight recovery pack,” says holistic facialist Elizabeth King about Weleda Skin Food, £14.95. “I describe it as transformative skincare because it not only delivers an instant glow but thanks to its powerful combination of chamomile and calendula extracts, the skin’s barrier function is strengthened.”
Dermatologist Dr Shereene Idriss (aka #pillowtalkderm on TikTok) uses this cream as a “lip basting” treatment, while makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes thinks it also makes a great highlighter.
Weleda Skin Food Cream, $, available at Boots
Micellar Water
“Bioderma was the first company that I know of to harness the power of micelles [tiny oil molecules] for cleansing,” says aesthetic doctor Sophie Shotter. “Sensibio H20 (£13) contains these micelles which will attract dirt, makeup, impurities and pollutants, helping to cleanse the skin. This product is also balanced with a pH of 5.5, making it very skin-friendly.”
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Cleanser, $, available at LookFantastic
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