Get great skin on a budget

Getting perfectly clear, healthy-looking skin doesn’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, there are loads of skin care buys out there that can perform just as well as their more expensive counterparts at a fraction of the cost. And, there are even some free (music to your ears?!) tricks and DIY treatments that will work wonders on improving your complexion.
Ready to find out how to get better skin on a budget? Here’s how…
RESIST THE URGE TO SPLURGE
At bh, we’re all for spoiling yourself with expensive beauty products because, really, who can resist a luxe buy every now and then?! But, we also know that there are loads of effective and very affordable skin care buys out there too that are totally worth every cent.
For example, cult favourite Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is ideal for all skin types and comes in at only $7.60. Craving a softer complexion? With it's classic NIVEA creme scent, NIVEA Creme Care Cleansing Cream Wash will leave your skin feeling soft and cared for, for less than a tenner. We also love the budget-friendly L’Oreal Paris Skin Perfection Refreshing Cleansing Wipes, for an instantly cleansed and refreshed complexion, for only $6.95.
DOUBLE DUTY BEAUTY
Love the look of gorgeous, glowing skin? You don’t have to break the bank with an expensive illuminator. Pop a dollop of your regular facial moisturiser in the palm of your hand and add a couple of drops of any facial oil and a sprinkle of bronzing powder. Mix it together, smooth it over your complexion and you’ve got yourself a brighter, luminous and more hydrated complexion in one simple step.
bh loves: Dove Protective Day Cream SPF 15 ($13.15), Thursday Plantation Nurture Oil ($13.50), Models Prefer Bronzer ($10.99)
RELATED: Double duty beauty hacks
PLAY MIX AND MATCH
If you find that you go through your skin care products at lightening-fast speed, try alternating your beauty buys with some DIY treatments every now and then. For example, use your fave body exfoliator one week, then give your body a scrub with a homemade oat and brown sugar scrub the following week. Mix together some ground oats with brown sugar and lemon juice until you have a paste, massage it over your bod, and then rinse off with warm water to reveal smoother, glowing skin. Cheap and effective!
SAVE YOUR MIND AND BODY
Stress not only takes a toll on your mental health – your body and skin can be impacted too. Your complexion can become sallow, dry and can even break out, so it’s vital that you try your best to take care of your skin during stressful times. Some of the best – and completely free – ways to combat stress are exercising, meditating, taking some ‘me’ time, or simply having some time out to rest and read a book. Try to give your skin a little bit of pampering too with a facial mask for stressed out skin, and take a warm shower using a body wash that contains stress-relieving fragrances like lavender, chamomile or ylang ylang. You’ll be feeling and looking back to normal in no time!
We love these affordable mind and body buys: Aveeno Stress Relief Body Wash ($9.99), Skinvitals G-Energise with Ginseng + Ginko Biloba ($9.99 for three sachets)
RELATED: De-stress your skin, stat!
Will you be trying any of these budget skin tips or products? What are your tips for getting great skin on a budget?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
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146 Member Comments
I use baby lotion as my daily moisturiser - cheap and super effective!
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Oooooh! They have my old Dove SPF 15 day cream back! And in a pot! I wouldn't mind trying it again!
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I have tried Cetaphil and love it.........excellent results
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I would like to try cetaphil and the thurday plantation oils
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Cetaphil is great love their lotions and cleanser.
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Cetaphil is great, swear by it when I am getting peels done the clinic recommends only using it after the procedure and in the week or so when it peels - is great for all skin especially damaged
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The Cetaphil is great to use pre-date. You won't believe how soft it makes your skin! I've always got this in the shower, handy.
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I'm currently loving my new Modelsprefer products!
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Ive heard great things about cetaphil gentle skin cleanser! I have to try this...
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Really great article. Im forever struggling with the save vs splurge
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I have found that some of the best face wipes and washes that I have used have been the slightly more inexpensive ones.
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There are some great options on here. The ones I love the look and sound of are Thursday Plantation and Aveeno.
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I use Cetaphil cleanser. I like it as a morning cleanser as it's very gentle on the skin. It helps keep my skin clear too. I love it.
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I think I'm going to have to try the Cetaphil product. There's been so many fantastic reviews about it. However, I still have like 4 bottles of facial wash to finish...blushes :)
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I've tried that Aveeno body wash, and it's really nice. I'm on the lookout for a new serum. My Clarins one has almost run out, and I'm too broke to replace it right now.
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Some great products, I like the skin vitals face masks.
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Great advice, there are plenty of maybe not so well known Australian beauty brands that offer great products, it's just a matter of finding them and trying them out.
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I've just cracked open a bottle of Sukin's day cream ($10 normally but got it on special for $5!) and I'm really enjoying it! I put off using of for a while as I didn't think such a budget option would be much good but so far it's great! Using it over a longer periond will be the decider though.
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Sukin make some excellent natural products that are just as good as some more expensive natural brands.
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I love these items and I love this section as it shows me what i can get while paying less.
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The Aveeno body wash is really nice. As someone who strives for perfect skin and loves to splurge on skincare, I don't really have any budget tips to add except maybe if there's one product you love but know it's out of your price range, google alternatives. Cleansing balms are AMAZING, but you don't have to spend a ton on Eve Lom when Trilogy has introduced their own cleansing balm that's much cheaper.
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