Foolproof Budget Skincare Routine

My skincare routine has changed significantly recently and I’ve seen really impressive results so I thought I’d pass on some tips to you guys!

 

I’ve never had shockingly bad skin but I’ve always had a consistent stream of 2-3 spots which means I’ve never felt able to go without foundation and concealer.

 

When I discovered Creme de la Mer’s Cleansing Fluid I immediately loved it – I was skeptical about using an oil based cleanser as I figured it would give me spots but quite the contrary. It’s really silky and takes off all my makeup (including waterproof mascara) really easily. My skin was left far more balanced, supple and clear.

 

Directions: apply one pump to your whole face including eyes, rub it in, remove with a hot wet cloth.

 

I also love the Creme de la Mer Tonic (i.e. toner). I’ve recently decided toner is the unsung hero of skincare as when I was using the cleanser without the toner my skin was soft and supple but I still had spots. If you feel your skin after washing off (any) cleanser it never feels 100% clean. This is where toner comes in – after using it I am confident that there’s nothing left on my skin overnight, and it’s the best thing for stopping spots.

 

Directions: pour onto a cotton pad/ball and sweep over your face.

 

 

 

 

However, these Creme de la Mer products total £120 (£60 each) so I was looking for a budget alternative. Of course, I wouldn’t expect identical results, but I was really impressed with the similarity of the products I found…..

 

 

L’Oreal Skin Perfection Cleansing Oil was the most highly recommended budget oil cleanser I could find and I’m now a total convert. It smells AMAZING and is really silky. It melts off my makeup just the same as the Creme version and leaves my skin soft and supple.

 

 

For the toner I chose No 7 Soft & Soothed as it was the most ‘watery’ one I tried. The thing I like so much about the Creme one is that it doesn’t leave any residue and if you get a creamy one this won’t be the case. The No 7 one, as with Creme, is a very thin liquid and just sweeps over your skin lightly. It’s amazing how much grime comes off onto the cotton pad when you use it! Definitely proves that it’s a step worth including in your daily routine.

 

 

So, my top new budget skin care cleansing routine is:

L’Oreal Paris Skin Perfection Cleansing Oil – £5.32 at Superdrug

No 7 Soft and Soothed Toner – £8.00 at Boots (but they’re ALWAYS doing No 7 vouchers so look out for these)

 

 

 

 

Then finally, a couple of additional steps that I think give the final touch to get zero spots ever…..

 

 

 

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo – this is the beloved product of basically every blogger ever, and I can’t say I disagree. Using it morning and evening (just a teeny amount) has cleared my skin up totally. It’s £10 which isn’t a huge amount, but seems even less when it lasts 3 months. I’d pay £3 a month for clear skin no question!

 

 

 

 

Clinique Turnaround Radiance Peel – sadly this has been discontinued but I’m always looking our for it on eBay. It’s pretty intense (genuinely burns my skin) but man it’s so much more effective than any exfoliator or face mask I’ve ever tried. You pour one mini bottle onto a cotton ball (per week) and sweep it over your whole face then add the moisturiser to calm the burn. It leave your skin insanely soft and stops and spots hovering under old layers of skin. Truly amazing stuff.