Maintaining the skin on your face requires a dedicated routine using quality products.
The South African market houses a plethora of skincare brands such as African Extracts, L'oreal, WBeauty, Relvon, Elizabeth Arden and more, that provide a variety of skincare products for your skin’s different needs.
According to a 2023 study, South African women spend and average of R5400 on their cosmetic products per year compared to R2 750 that men spend.
Skincare products differ when it comes to affordability and accessibility to your average South Africa. However, just because you cannot afford all skincare products, it does not mean you should neglect your skin.
Here's our tip to great looking skin on a buget.
1. Gentle cleanser
Using a gentle cleanser is necessary as it cleanses your skin by removing bacteria and unwanted oil, says Vitaderm's Ruan Winter.
2. Moisturiser
A moisturiser is a necessity in your skincare routine because it hydrates the skin and acts as a protective barrier against environmental stressors.
Don't ignore affordable products that help maintain moisture like petroleum jelly.
3. Sunscreen
Using sunscreen might sound a bit cliché but it is one of the skincare products you cannot do without. It offers UV protection, prevents premature ageing and helps prevent illnesses caused by the sun’s harmful rays such as skin cancer.
Take sun protection a step further by using hats, umbrellas or parasols for shade and wearing protective sunglasses.
4. Spot treatment
Spot treatment is great for skin breakouts caused by late nights , hormone imbalances and other stressors.
“Look for products containing ingredients like salicylic acid, which can help to reduce inflammation and target acne-causing bacteria,” Ruan advices.
READ MORE | 4 ways to use face oils in your daily skincare routine
6. Consistency is key
Adapt to a consistent skincare routine because using skincare products every once in a while might not give you the effective results that you are hoping for.
7. Keep it simple
Streamline the number of steps in your routine. This will help you get through your skincare routine quicker and help you save money.
8. Get enough sleep
Similar to water, enough sleep is essential for your health in general and has added benefits for your skin. Ruan says seven to nine hours of beauty sleep is one of the simplest yet effective ways to keep your skin fabulous.
