Natural skincare on a budget: what to skip and what to buy

Cleanser

Save money on a cleanser because it’s the one product that doesn’t stay on your skin. When you choose a cleanser, always opt for something that’s gentle and doesn’t contain drying ingredients like sodium lauryl sulphate. Try this affordable option: Consonant’s Natural Foaming face Wash or oil cleanse using pure jojoba oil mixed with a few drops of lavender essential oil.

If you wish, skip the cleanser altogether and try the Warsh Cloth, a microfibre cloth that cleanses and removes makeup without products!

Moisturizer

To get the most out of your moisturizer, choose one that’s made with pure plant-based oils like rosehip and avocado, rather than mineral oil. These will deeply nourish the skin and lock in moisture, keeping you hydrated all day long (giving you more bang for your buck!). Try Graydon’s Green Cream.

Serum

You can get away with only using a moisturizer, but if your skin needs extra TLC, splurge on a serum which is like a multi-vitamin for your face. Serums like Holistic Vanity’s Hyaluroinc Lupine Protein Serum contain concentrated ingredients that are easily absorbed and target specific concerns like dehydration and hyper-pigmentation. You can switch up your serum based on the seasons. For example, during the summer, use a lightweight vitamin C serum to help counteract sun damage. During the winter use a heavier serum with skin repairing ingredients and hydrators like hyaluronic acid.

Exfoliator

It’s always a good idea to use an exfoliator 2-3 x per week in order to help slough off dead skin cells and clear out pores. If you’re looking for a budget option and can’t splurge on a lactic or glycolic acid (which are super effective for anti-aging and breakouts), use a yogurt mask at least 2x per week to get a similar benefit.

• Yogurt Honey Mask – Mix 1TBS full fat yogurt with 1/2 TBS of raw honey. Apply mask on clean skin and let sit for 10-15 minutes. Wash off with warm water and follow up with your usual moisturizer.