With the beauty world coming out with a ton of cool and innovative products, it’s tempting to just hand over my credit card and buy it all. If there’s a new face mask, I want it. If Huda Beauty launches her new palettes, you can count me in to buy them all… However, my wallet (and father) won’t allow me to do so. And in this tough situation I’ve had to switch things up with products I can afford—the best part? They work just as well and efficiently.
So, if you’re in the same sticky situation as me, I can help you out. Here are some affordable alternatives for high-end skincare products that your skin (and wallet/father) will thank you for:
1. Face masks
Splurge: Glamglow Flashmud Brightening Treatment, INR 1,700
Save: L’Oreal Pure Clay Mask, INR 750/-
Who doesn’t love a good masking sesh? It’s my favourite way to unwind and relax. Clay masks are my favourite kind. The Glamglow Flashmud mask brightens your skin without stripping out your skin’s natural oils. The L’Oreal clay mask has exfoliating beads in the masks that helps clean out all the impurities from your skin. Both of them are great even for acne-prone skin.
2. Toner
Splurge: Innisfree Green Tea Toner, INR 1400/-
Save: Plum Green Tea Toner, INR 390/-
Toners play a vital role in keeping your skin balanced and healthy. Not only do they help you tighten your pores but they also balance the pH level of your skin. Both these toners contain green tea which helps you unclog your pores, treat acne and soothes your skin. Green tea is also a good source for Vitamin B2 and Vitamin E.
3. Moisturiser
Splurge: Clinique Moisture Surge Cream, INR 2550/-
Save: It’S Skin Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Cream, INR 950/-
The purpose of these creams is to provide intense moisturisation and add a glow to your complexion. The consistency is gel-based which makes the skin appear super dewy. The Clinique Moisture Surge has 72-hours hydration and the It’S Skin Moisture cream contains hyaluronic acid that keeps your skin supple. Trust me, using these hydrating creams is addictive! I don’t think I can ever shift away from a gel-based moisturiser.
Clinique Moisture Surge, It’S Skin Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Cream | Source: (www.ulta.com, www.amazon.com)
4. Facial Scrub
Splurge: Belif Mild And Effective Scrub, INR 1650/-
Save: Biotique Visibly Ageless Scrub, INR 150/-
Exfoliating helps get rid of dead skin cells, blackheads, dirt and grime. It can make your skin look and feel more radiant and fresh. The Belif scrub is gel-based just like the Biotique scrub. They are mild and great for all skin types and neither of them are heavy as they have very tiny scrubs!
5. Lip Balm
Splurge: L’Occitane Lip Balm, INR 850/-
Save: Nivea Lip Balm, INR 175/-
Chapped lips are the worst, TBH. I need to keep my lips hydrated at all times. The L’Occitane lip balm has a very rich formula keeps your lips hydrated throughout. The Nivea lip nourishes, repairs and protects the lip. The best part is that they are not greasy at all!
6. Eye cream
Splurge: Forest Essentials Intensive Eye Cream, INR 2650/-
Save: Dr Sheth’s Eye Cream, INR 899/-
I know most of us skip using an eye cream but let me tell you, it’s an extremely important part of your skincare routine. They help reduce dark circles and diminish puffiness. The area near your eyes is delicate hence keeping it hydrated is essential. The Forest Essentials Intensive Eye Cream contains extracts of papaya and potato starch that help in reducing puffiness. The Dr. Sheth’s eye cream contains dates and quinoa that strengthen the thinner under-eye skin and helps treat dark circles.
7. Sleeping Mask
Splurge: Laneige Water Sleeping Mask, INR 1850/-
Save: TONYMOLY Magic Food Banana Sleeping Pack, INR 850/-
Sleeping mask has got to be the best part of my skincare routine. I can completely vouch for the fact that after using it at night, the next day my skin is unbelievably soft and supple. If you’re confused as to what a sleeping mask does is, it basically gives your skin a boost of hydration overnight. Sleeping in an air-conditioned room can dry out your skin, so it’s important to have a water barrier to do the job of keeping your skin hydrated. The Laneige mask is gel-based and the texture of the TONYMOLY mask is creamy. Both, however, deliver the same effect afterward.
Let us know if you’d like to see more such alternatives in the comments below.
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