Gloomy times are ahead in the financial sector. For those of us with jobs to keep, I reckon we are holding on as best we can while trying to find a better wat to spend our hard earned money.
But will you save on your skincare?
These are my thoughts and I’d love to hear yours so do share in the comments below.
I personally will not save on my skincare.
Skin Care is very personal and individual to your skin
The main reason is that skincare is something I don’t mess around with (unless I’m testing a product for a review). At the end of the day, unless I find something cheaper that works as well as the item I’m using, I will not switch. I believe most people are the same.
You can spend more money looking for a cheaper alternative
You can actually spend MORE looking for something cheaper that suits your skin rather than just sticking to your regular department store brand that works. I have personal experience of this – I ended up spending 3 times the amount on 3 different products which did the work of one relatively expensive product. So, if you have something that works, stick with it, be it expensive or cheap!
My present skincare regime is already affordable
A majority of my skincare products are already pretty cheap as they come. I’m lucky that way I guess 
I do tend to pick my skincare up from the pharmacies (drugstores) and during sales so I can’t possibly go any cheaper!
My present skincare regime is as follows:-
Morning
- Boots Tea Tree Oil foaming cleanser (or any old cleanser)
- Kanebo Blanchir Clear Conditioner
- H20+ Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment
- Eucerin White Solution SPF40
Evening
- Kanebo Blanchir Make Off Conditioner or cheap cleansing oil du jour
- The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Facial wash or Yuan Organic Soap
- Kanebo Blanchir Clear Conditioner
- Yes to Carrots C Today or C You in the Morning day cream or Eucerin Hydro Balance Refreshing cream or Olay Total Effects Anti-Aging Cream
I reckon I’m not really burning a hole in my pocket with my present skincare regime so I’d stick with this even during the tough times ahead.
Will you ditch what you are using now (if its an expensive product) and look for a cheaper alternative? Have you already found a cheaper alternative? Do share!
Stay beautiful,
Paris B
{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
hmmm 2 years ago i might save on skincare, but i think not anymore. i have been using mix-n-match for the past years and somehow i js couldn’t find the best fit, i switched a brand new range of skincare, and i hope they will fit me well this time. enough of money spent on looking cheaper alternatives
Hi prettybeautiful
Yay for skincare that works! Wanna share which?
Some of my favorite skin care products (that works!) are high end and it’s a painful reality that I’m still a student with a tight budget *sighs* So I try to find the best drugstore alternatives and use my samples carefully! I’m definitely all for good value. I don’t think I’ll spend 100+ for a toner even if I could afford it.
Hi Connie
Thats the interesting thing about high end stuff. Some of them really work and then our pockets hurt like heck after that! I will and do spend RM100 on a toner… but I never get it unless its on sale
Yeah, don’t save on skincare. Might end up spending more on other products to find the one which suits best…or worse, end up going to a derm to cure breakouts. I’m such an example. Every visit to the derm cost about S$300.
Although I spend quite a lot on my skincare. Each item costing above S$50. However, I do use them sparingly. My cleanser normally last me about 5 months, my toner and moisturiser at least 8 months.
So, I don’t find that they are really a huge burden.
Hi Shay
Wow visiting derms is a pricey affair as I found out recently after the episode with my hands. Using products economically is definitely a good way of making them last.
As a student, I’ve always bought drug store brands. Things have always work for me. But of course there are those that don’t clean too well or a bit oily but nth horrible like burn my skin till it’s red.
I’ve nvr tried high end brands so i dunno if it’ll work. but if drug store brands already work for me, how much better can high end brands work on my skin? If high end brands give me the same result on my skin as cheap drug store brands, then it isn’t worth it la.. haa… I’m nt that rich anyways…
Hi Lyn
To be honest, I’ve had some amazing experiences with higher end brands. My wallet hates me for it, but my skin loves it. Much as I like my drugstore brands I do sometimes get a hankering to get back to the more expensive stuff especially for anti-aging or “whitening” products. I think drugstore is ok for basic stuff but not for treatment. But if something affordable works for you then there’s no need to change!
i prefer natural and simple products for skin care so it never costs me too much. but if there is one magic item that costs a bomb, then i’d use it too without thinking about saving. i can save on other item for that must-have.
Hi jojoba
LOL… yes I think I will agree with you on the magic item. Too bad I haven’t found it yet!
I agree when you say, “you can spend more money looking for a cheaper alternative”. I don’t switch skincare for price, but I’m still switching about and searching because I haven’t found the ideal. Personally, if I’ve found the ideal, I will not switch to save money.
Hi Karen
If you are searching for an ideal skincare, try asking for samples. Then you won’t have to break the bank if something expensive fails to work
I wouldn’t save money for skin care!
I can always save up on others like make-up, clothing, etc..but for skincare! NO 
I am open to try samples and testers for cheaper alternatives, I will probably shift to cheaper skincare IF and ONLY IF it works! 
Hi Nikki
Yep! I have to agree with you and I guess most of us do too! Skincare is not something you want to mess with!
I’m with you. Unless I find something cheaper which is equally good to replace any of my current skincare items, I’m not skimping on my skincare. I’d rather not buy anymore makeup.
After using Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion/Gel for over ten years, I’ve decided it’s time for a change. I’m currently trying out Olay’s Complete Lotion (the Total Effects is too rich for me), and so far so good. I’m not expecting any significant changes to my skin; as long as it keeps my skin hydrated and the oilies at bay, I’m happy (the Clinique moisturiser is also just a moisturiser, with no anti-aging properties and whatnots).
Since you put up your present skincare regime, I’ll do mine too
Morning – Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser, Clinique Clarifying Lotion #3, Cellnique Pro Sebum Gel, Olay Regenerist Serum, Olay Complete Lotion (2 serums, yikes :p), Paula’s Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF20.
Evening – Simple facial wash, Clinique Clarifying Lotion #3, Clinique Turnaround Visible Skin Renewer (excellent stuff), Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler.
I don’t actually need the Regenerist serum; I’m only using it just to finish up the previous stuff I bought :p As for the rest, nah, not too expensive.
PS: Yikes, that’s a long comment I just left :p
Hi Tine
I’ve heard that Olay Complete is very good! We don’t get it here (of course!
) I’ve been thinking of trying the Eucerin Hyaluron filler cream. Regenerist breaks me out big time 
Thats a pretty complete skincare regime.
I think it’s a balance.
I guess if you are using La mer, there is always an alternative that is wayyyy cheaper and works well too?
I for one am a little skeptical about drugstore skincare as I have tried many times and am always left feeling disappointed, and not to mention the flare up of facial eczema which costs me a bomb to clear up
So far the only drugstore brand that works for me is Sana’s soybean skincare series.
But I for one would not comprimise too much on the cost of my skincare.
Prob will do in other areas like cosmetics, clothes and food.
Hi Amelia
Thanks for sharing. It looks like most of us will rather stick to our more expensive stuff that works rather than try something cheaper that might likely kill our skin!
I’m not really adventurous with trying out new products, so I tend to stick to what works. Besides, I could never keep to a proper skin regimen for more than 2 weeks anyway. Needless to say, my skin is suffering signs of pre-mature aging no thanks to my laziness. :/
Hi MisSmall
Aww… a proper skincare regime is the first step
Try getting into a routine and it’ll get easier to stick to it.
Yea, don’t save on skincare. I would definitely not. I love my skin and work very hard to keep it in the best condition, though still suffering from occasional breakouts and broken capillaries.
But I’m easily swayed by new stuff in the market….but I’ll still try them out and choose the best for my skin!
Hi Vonvon
I think many of us are tempted by new stuff too. I prefer to try to get samples so I know if it’ll work but sometimes the samples are just too little to have any effect.
i;ll skip MU and other stuff if needed, but not on skincare!
i don’t want to go out everytime with MU on! i just feel it’s weird. and i think bare skin which is well taken care of is as pretty with MU on!
Hi Plue
I don’t use makeup everyday either – I feel it stifles my skin so weekends are usually my off days
my skin care regime had always been moderately priced, so I think I don’t have to skimp on anything
Hi Fairuz
Thats great to know!
I don’t save on my skincare. If I find a product that works very well on me, I don’t mind paying a bit more.
Hi Amanda
I do tend to agree with you although some good stuff I’ve tried are so far out of reach an alternative is the best way to go
I never get skimp on my skin care. Although I do try some cheapies from time to time coz somehow I believe that the perfect skin care (reasonably priced and effective) has to be available somewhere, still if I can pay for it without breaking the bank and it’s good for me, I just pay. I’m still on the search for my “Perfect Skin care” so…
My routine now:
Morning: Nothing. Just water. Sometimes with Bobbi Brown Brightening Facial Water. I have dry skin so that’s enough for me. Plus Darphin Arovita C serum (This’s the best and most effective I’ve found so far.) and Dr.Ci La Bo Aqua Collagen gel (Like it for the moisturizing, but the rest’s blah. I do like its gel-like texture and a very fainted or almost no scent at all.)
Evening: Ipsa cleansing oil or Coconut oil then Dr.Somchai Green tea facial foam follow with Bobbi Brown Brightening Facial Water, Darphin Arovita C and Dr. Ci La Bo.
Hi Vichaya
Thanks for sharing your routine. I’ve see Dr. Ci La Bo around but never thought to try it.
With my super sensitive skin, I couldn’t skimp on my skincare regime even if I wanted to! So, if its working for me, I’ll definitely spend no matter what.
Hi rinnah
Yep! Thats the way to go and I find that more expensive skincare goes a longer way for some reason
i won’t save on skincare and makeup (particularly base makeup such as foundation and powder) because i believe that good quality makeup is important too! exp high end skincare really does yield much better results than drugstore ones sadly.
Hi Aretha
Ah! I must agree with you about base makeup too. Whilst good makeup does not always have to be expensive, nevertheless some more expensive stuff are of much better quality. On a personal note, I find that targetted skincare products e.g. anti aging or whitening/brightening skincare are better in more expensive brands.
I actually ditch store bought skin care and started on DIY skincare instead. Main reasons why I did it was because, the store bought ones didn’t really work and it was kind of expensive [to me that is...].
And it works really well for me! Cheap too!
Hi Ms. Blacklace
Glad DIY is working for you!
For me, i’ve tried many skin care products ranging for expensive to cheap ones over the years. But now i think i finally found one that’s suitable for my skin and although it’s quite expensive, i still think that it’s worth every penny. As i have very sensitive skin, I think i would splurge on the suitable skincare rather than choosing a cheaper one because it’s cheaper. haha. I also splurge on my foundation but not other products tho. What do u ppl think.
Hi Digie
I think anything that works for the skin especially sensitive skin is worth splurging on
Glad you found one that works for you.
i didnt save on my skincare but i will still budget on my skincare is there any recommendation skincare for oily skin tat r prone to breakouts? i nid a good moisturisers tat wont make my face feel oily n good skincare treatment for my acne..i hv tried on oxy benzoyl p. 10% but it didnt works for me but causing my acne to remain scars on my face! so pls help!
Hi grace_cupid
For oily skin, you could try some oil free moisturizers. I personally feel that Eucerin is a decent drugstore brand to try or you can try H20+ or Clinique – I know they do oil free/gel moisturizers too. I have used Oxy before this and I’ve found it way too strong so I’d never recommend it. For acne skin, try using a cleanser with tea tree oil or a line designed for acne/problem skin. There are many around depending on budget.
I don’t save on skincare, although I’m lucky to have relatively problem-free skin.
I use Pond’s Age Miracle now.
Ooh good question. I have been spending tons on skincare for years–Dermalogica–which costs a bomb here. I found that a way to save on that by getting a friend to bring it for me from the US, and the prices are at least half of what it is here! I have, off and on tried to look for cheaper alternatives, but most don’t measure up to what I’ve been using. Except for the Eucerin White Solution SPF40 which you recommended-love, yay! And that’s definitely a savings for me. Am currently looking for alternatives for my cleanser–I’m sure I can find one, I’m determined to save! LOL!
I really think I shld save on skincare as I’m spending too much on it. i’m agreed with Paris V that I rather to spend $$ on 1 good departmental store product that suits me so well than spending more $$ on useless cheaper alternative. I don’t wan to risk my skin to save my wallet…I’ve tried Olay and Simple but none of them works well on me although they dont irritate my skin too unlike Garnier..my skin hates Garnier.. hahaha…