Is there anything you can do to save money?
Will you have to say buh-bye to your self-care routine?
No, no and no.
In a world where the cost of living is rising, let’s have a chat about budget and saving tips.
6 money-saving tips on skincare
Right, honest talk - being a fanatic about skincare, is it going to make you spend money? Yes! Do you have to spend £100 pounds on every cream or serum? Not at all.
Yup, your wallet might get a little lighter, especially when you are trying to figure out what actually works for you and learning what products are out there (or simply are an addict and, in that case, I have no excuse at all. I feel your pain!)
When I get that sudden urge of buying (another) amazing serum that for instance I think is going to sort out a million of my concerns (as many brands allegedly promise), I follow some rules:
- Pick what skin concerns you want to treat, rather than trying to slather it all at once
I admit it, I’ve been there! I was on a mission, trying to find serums with multiple ingredients to treat acne, redness, fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, dullness, rosacea, breakouts… *deep breath* You name it… Prioritise!
- Learn about the ingredients in the products you want to buy
Personally, I think this is the most important rule. Don’t buy something just because everyone is raving about it. A popular product is very likely to be good but it doesn’t mean it will be suitable for you.
So go on, and do your research. Read books, search on the web, and watch videos. Yup, you will spend some of your priceless time learning about it but that is all part of the fun, isn’t it?!
- Try mini/travel size first
Still not sure what magic serum and youth potion to buy, get travel-size products and minis, so you have a chance to try them before you buy the full-sized product.
I looooove a mini! I have a collection! Some of them actually come with your order for free, some brands even let you choose your free minis. Ain’t this fantastic?!
- Be mindful of the environmental impact
We are surrounded by marketing and there is always a new product you SHOULD buy. Well… think of the packaging, the shipping and recycling. Don’t let consumerism consume you. This will help the environment and your bank account too.
- Re-purpose a product you didn’t like or get on with
If you bought a product for your face and didn’t like the feel of it or simply didn’t work for you, instead of throwing it away, give it to a friend or use it somewhere else.
Picture this scenario: You bought a new face glycolic acid treatment (AHA exfoliant) but noticed it’s too strong for your face. Why not try it in your arms to help with keratosis pilaris (little skin bumps that cause your skin to be textured) where your skin is more thick and resilient and, therefore, less likely to react?
- Keep tabs on the expiration dates
Be mindful of your goodie’s expiry date. This is often written somewhere in the package or product itself. You can keep that product until that date if unopened. Once you opened it you should use it within the time advised – keep an eye out for the word “PAO” (period after opening) or its symbol.
I normally take note of both dates in my skincare journal. Most skincare products have a 12-month PAO, however, some lose their efficacy earlier, such as vitamin C serums or retinol, for example.
Let’s sum it up!
Righty-oh, by following those top tips you will be on top of your skincare budget.
If managed well, skincare won’t break your wallet. Keep an eye on your budget and don’t spend more than you can or need. As I always say – Keep it simple!
Do you know of any other tips that you feel would be useful for skincare addicts in need of a bit of rehab?