I’m a Dermal Therapist & This Is How I'd Build a Skincare Routine for Less Than $150

I get messages from people every single day asking for budget-friendly skincare recommendations.

Got an affordable substitute for this exxy product? Is this a dupe?

Will my face shrivel up if my cleanser costs less than $20?

Help! I’ve just gone on maternity leave and I can’t spend $200 on my favourite serum anymore!

I hear you. Skin care can get pretty pricey, pretty quick.

And although a lot of the products I write about and use on my clients as a dermal therapist are expensive (more on why that is in a bit), not everyone can justify costly serums as “essential items”.

Contrary to what people say or post about on Instagram, it is possible to build an effective skincare routine on a budget.

Don't believe me? Just watch.

Read on for my tips on which skincare products to save on and invest in, plus some excellent budget skincare options to build a routine for less than $150.

Skincare on a Budget 101.

Fact: No matter your budget or skin type, a great routine really only needs a solid foundation of three products:

• Cleanser

• Moisturiser

• SPF

Seriously, that’s it. That’s all you need.

Lock these three down, and then you can add in targeted products like chemical exfoliants and serums (or both) when your budget allows.

Best Affordable Cleansers. 

CeraVe cleansers, from $13.99.

If you are on a budget but still want an effective cleanser, you need to try a CeraVe cleanser.

There are five cleansers for different skin types:

I wrote an article breaking down the difference between the CeraVe cleansers (and which one's right for your skin type) on Beauty IQ.

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, $13.90.

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser sells out all the time.

One of my girlfriends asked me WHY?? the other daY. It’s because it’s THAT good.

It's my go-to budget-friendly cleanser that can be used both AM and PM, and twice as part of a double cleanse.

It's perfect for anyone who can’t or doesn’t want to invest in two separate cleansers. It’s heaven for every skin type.

SOME BY MI AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam, $27.

Another good way to streamline your skincare routine is to combine two steps in one product.

Exfoliating cleansers are great for that. It can be easy to go overboard with these, so proceed slowly.

SOME BY MI AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam 100ml would be good to try if acne is a concern.

The cleanser contains a mix of BHAs (beta hydroxy acids), AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and PHAs (polyhydroxy acids).

Best Affordable Moisturisers.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, $9.80.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA 100ml is another really great budget-friendly product best suited to normal and oily skin types.

If you have dry or dehydrated skin, you may find it won’t work for you as you’ll likely need extra hydration. It’s very lightweight.

Skinstitut Moisture Defence, $34.30.

I love Skinstitut moisturisers.

They’re cosmeceutical, affordable and formulated for different skin types - there's one for dry skin, normal skin and oily skin.

They also contain antioxidants, so are great for daytime use for free radical protection. You can’t go wrong. 

Shop the three different Skinstitut moisturisers for different skin types:

CeraVe moisturisers.

Again, CeraVe do excellent affordable moisturisers!

CeraVe Moisturising Cream has more of a comfy cream texture, while CeraVe Daily Moisturising Lotion 236ml is lighter and faster to absorb.

Hada Labo Intense Hydrating Skin-Plumping Gel, $35.95.

Hada Labo Intense Hydrating Skin-Plumping Gel 50ml is a current gel moisturiser favourite among AB staffers!

It has a true gel texture that instantly plumps the surface layers of the skin for that glass skin finish.

Great in summer, or for oily/combo skin types.

Affordable Sunscreens.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen SPF 50+, $29.95.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+ is a chemical sunscreen that delivers SPF50+ broad spectrum protection.

It's fragrance-free, non-comedogenic (which means it doesn't clog your pores) and dermatologically-tested for sensitive skin.

It has a light, watery fluid texture and the finish is neither matte nor dewy, but it isn’t shiny or greasy.

Bondi Sands Sunny Daze SPF 50 Moisturiser, $22.95.

Bondi Sands Sunny Daze SPF 50 Moisturiser is your daily two-in-one!

Combing an ultra-hydrating moisturiser with SPF 50+ protection saves you time in the morning.

Providing 72 hours of hydration so your skin stays plump, dewy and gorgeous with a broad-spectrum SPF50+. Its non-greasy formula is perfect under makeup.

Avène Sunscreen Emulsion Face SPF50+, $28.99.

Avène Sunscreen Emulsion Face SPF50+ is a chemical sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum UVB-UVA protection.

The formula has been designed to be hydrating with a matte finish (it contains Avene's Thermal Spring Water).

And of course, SPF is only one part of sun protection!

Always seek shade, and wear sunnies, a hat and protective clothing. Use sufficient sunscreen for all unprotected areas and reapply sunscreen as directed. Always read the label. You know the drill.

Learn more about beginner skincare in our YouTube video below.

Choose the Best Serum for Your Skin Concerns.

This next bit is kind of like a choose your own serum adventure.

Ask anyone who works with skin and they'll likely tell you an active serum or treatment product designed to treat your specific skin concern(s) is worth investing in.

These types of products are referred to as cosmeceutical skin care.

That said, this is an article about affordable skin care, and cosmeceutical serums generally cost around $70 and upwards.

So, I’ve found budget active serums to help manage four common skin concerns and keep your basic skincare routine receipt under $150-$200.

Best Affordable Hydrating Serum.

BOOST LAB 2D-Hyaluronic Hydro Boost Serum, $29.95.

BOOST LAB 2D-Hyaluronic Hydro Boost Serum comes recommended by Adore staffers Amy Clark and Hannah Furst.

This brand recently launched and their price points = skincare accessibility for everyone.

If you are a dry skin type or prone to dehydration, incorporating a hyaluronic acid serum into your routine will do your skin a world of good.

You can read more about these new serums in our BOOST LAB review article here.

Best Affordable Exfoliant.

FIRST AID BEAUTY Facial Radiance Pads, $32.

Exfoliation is key if you want to brighten dull, lacklustre skin and these pads are a great way to ensure you’re exfoliating every week.

FIRST AID BEAUTY Facial Radiance Pads - 28 pads are super easy to use, simply swipe over the skin after cleansing!

The cotton pads are pre soaked in a serum containing glycolic and lactic acids: alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that exfoliate skin and help it appear brighter and improve texture.

Best Affordable Vitamin A Serums (Ageing & Acne-Prone Skin).

The Ordinary Retinol serums.

Vitamin A is a holy grail ingredient of mine and is used to treat a range of skincare concerns including ageing, acne and even pigmentation.

If your skin can tolerate it, I believe everyone should be using one in their routine.

Like a lot of active skincare ingredients, vitamin A comes in many different variations all at different price points.

This usually has to do with: the form of vitamin A in the formulation, what strength that form comes in, the other ingredients it has been combined with... and marketing.

You can learn more about the different forms and strengths of vitamin A in this episode of the Skincare School podcast below.

Cosmeceutical vitamin A skin care is usually expensive because of the research and effort that's been put into developing a product that's both effective and non-irritating.

But if budget is a concern, this is where The Ordinary comes in. This brand does two nice entry level vitamin A serums.

• The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane contains, you guessed it, 0.5 per cent retinol (a fairly strong form of vitamin A) and squalane to mitigate irritation.

• The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid Emulsion 2% has been formulated with 2 per cent granactive retiniod (a newer and gentler form of vitamin A).

You can learn more about starting vitamin A skin care in our YouTube video below.

Both of these formulations are very minimalist though, and while you do have to be wary of correct storage and expiry dates (vitamin A is an unstable ingredient and these bottles aren’t the greatest for stability), your skin can still benefit from using one of them.

These serums are unlikely to cause a lot of irritation either, although please always remember to introduce any new active skincare product - but especially vitamin A - into your routine slowly.

One or two times a week is plenty. 

Best Affordable Vitamin C Serum.

Viviology Vitamin C Serum.

I didn't really have an affordable vitamin C recommendation... until recently.

Viviology Vitamin C Serum 30mL is probably the best budget-friendly vitamin C serum I’ve ever tried.

It’s a 15% L-ascorbic acid formula with other antioxidants thrown in. It's totally unheard for a vitamin C formula like this one to cost less than $60.

The watery texture is a little hard to play with at first, but it layers beautifully with all my morning serums, isn’t sticky and works well under makeup.

It’s witchcraft - but I’m obsessed! You can read a full Viviology vitamin C review here.

Affordable Skincare Sets.

Skincare sets really take the confusion out of building a skincare routine.

Viviology Super Six Discovery Set comes with six cosmeceutical skincare essentials that will leave you looking seriously glowy, plump, and refreshed.

You've got the adorably-sized gentle foaming cleanser, liquid exfoliant, vitamin C serum, hydrating serum (niacinamide and hyaluronic acid), retinol serum and ceramide moisturiser.

The Ordinary also has two basic skincare sets with budget-friendly price tags:

The Ordinary The Daily Set - A complete set of skincare basics suited to all skin types, featuring a cleanser, moisturiser and hydrating serum.

The Ordinary The Balance Set - Banish blemishes, address sebum production and calm problematic skin with this set including your cleanser and moisturiser, plus a niacinamide serum and salicylic acid mask.

To conclude, please know there are always skincare options available to suit your budget.

Taking care of your skin shouldn't feel exclusionary - it's something we can all do as an act of self care.

Whether you decide to swap out one of your more expensive products for an affordable option or build a skincare routine for less... your face will survive.

So, do what works for you and your budget.

Want more expert skincare advice from Yads? Check out her stories below!

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• From Laser to Needling, An Expert Shares Exactly What to Put on Your Skin After a Treatment

• I'm a Dermal Therapist and These Are the 5 Skincare Mistakes I Wish You'd Stop Making