Splurge vs steal: Handbag skin essentials

As you go about your day, your skin can succumb to the elements, whether it be air conditioning and heating that dries out your skin, or the harmful rays of the sun. This can leave your skin looking a little (or a lot!) blah come 3pm. A simple way to protect your skin from these effects is with some everyday skin care essentials. Whether you love to splurge on beauty products or are keen for a good steal, these are our top picks of the essentials you need at your desk or in your handbag for clean, hydrated and glowing skin.
Splurge: Ultraceuticals SunActive SPF50+ Face Cream, $49
Give your skin the max protection from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays for hours on end. As well as containing SPF 50 sun protection, this formula features antioxidants to help shield your skin from damaging free radicals.
Steal: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Clear Face Lotion SPF30, $16.99
On your next trip to the supermarket, pop this protecting beauty into your trolley. It boasts SPF 30 sun protection, a smooth, oil-free formula so it won’t leave you with a greasy sheen, and best of all, it’s easy on the wallet. Win!
RELATED: Do you need to wear SPF all year round?
Splurge: Environ Evenescence C-Boost, $103
If your skin’s looking a little lacklustre during the day, keep this rich, brightening serum in your desk drawer to give your complexion a much-needed hydration boost and glow.
Steal: Swisse Kakadu Plum Brightening Serum, $29.99
Formulated to help keep dark spots and uneven skin tone at bay, this brightening beauty will not only protect your skin from discolouration, but also help your skin look instantly brighter and healthier.
Splurge: Shu Uemura Depsea Water Facial Mist, $46
Not only is this lush, super hydrating mist the perfect pick-me-up to spritz on dry, parched skin throughout the day, but its packaging will look sleek and stunning on your desk or vanity, too.
Steal: Australian Bio Essence Vitamin E Oil, $11.99
Vitamin E is essential for keeping skin nourished and replenished, so this inexpensive oil mist will make the perfect addition to your daily skin care routine. Simply spritz it over your skin for a refreshed and hydrated complexion in seconds.
RELATED: Why you need to use a facial mist
Splurge: M.A.C Wipes, $28
They may be a little on the exxy side, but trust me, they’re worth every penny. Each wipe is saturated with M.A.C cleanser and hydrating vitamin E to help you quickly whisk away make-up, dirt and grime on-the-go.
Steal: Australis 3in1 Wipes, $5.95
Oh hey there, bargin! Coming in at a measly $5.95 for 25 wipes (yep, that’s only 24 cents per wipe!) these wipes are rich in vitamin E, aloe vera, chamomile and provitamin B5 to wipe away all traces of make-up.
Splurge: jane iredale LipDrink SPF 15 Lip Balm, $32
Forget dry, chapped lips – let your pout soak up the nourishing and replenishing benefits of this lip balm rich in avocado, carrot seed and lemon peel oils, as well as blackberry and green tea leaf extract for added protection and hydration.
Steal: QV Lip Balm, $5.05
Pop this hydrating balm on your lips throughout the day to give them an instant and long-lasting injection of hydration. It’s suitable for sensitive skin and has the added bonus of SPF 30+ sunscreen protection.
Do you spend or save when it comes to buying skin care? Would you like to add any of these to your routine?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.
48 Member Comments
I love to splurge on lipbalms!!
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Love the nutrogena face spf and the qv lip balm, 2 of my absolute must haves in my beauty bag, handbag, car, desk,
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I really want to try UltraCeuticals. I should do some research on here before splurging to see what everyone thinks. Love supporting an Australian company when I can.
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I definitely splurge as the face is so important, in saying that some low cost brands have very good products too. Would love to try the neutrogena sunscreen!
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I know completely unrelated but I love the girls hair in this top picture, the colour and the texture. Very Jealous of her hair
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Nice. Want to try some of these!
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I'm spending more on skincare products now that I'm older.
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Yes to the last one!! QV is my favourite!
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Oh some lovely options, it's nice to have a good mix of both i think
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I'm a big fan of oils and haven't seen that Australian Bio Essense one! I like the idea of the vitamin E in it as I need the hydration.
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I have a mix of both splurge and steal. Some products are just better so the price is higher and some are just as good or better than the pricier competitor brand.
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I do spend and save, depends of the quality of the product. Most of the times cheap ones are just chemical concoction of fillers that messes up my skin, but not always! Like Swiss brand featured here, beautifull formulas. On the other hand Shu emura one, so pricey, but mostly just chemicals and fillers in their skin care,
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It's great to see that Swisse is releasing more and more budget-friendly skincare products.
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I do not find a daily moisturizer+protection of $49 a splurge...more of a comfy good price. A steal one would just mess up my face for good hehe
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$32 for lip balm.. damn!
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With some skincare items I spend a lot, but with others I don't because some low cost products are just as great as the pricier ones. Sukin is a cheap but great skincare brand.
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Swisse really makes some fantastic products and I prefer some of its products over more expensive brands.
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I used to splurge when I worked full time but I have gone back to being a student so look for the cheaper alternatives.
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I definitely save! I can't believe the prices of some things!
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Omg I actually can't believe that the MAC makeup wipes cost that much!
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It depends, at times I will splurge but I certainly try to save at time as well!
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I love a bargain that really works as good as the expensive ones but I also love expensive one's that work like crazy.
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The save products are fantastic
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Interested to try the Swisse Serum! I'd prefer to save when & where I can!
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I would be happy to use all of the "steal" items.
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