Here are affordable skincare products that deliver on their promises. These products fulfill their brand claims without requiring the consumer to spend a ton of money. We’ve all experienced spending too much on products that don’t work, but fortunately, Cassandra has put together by brand a list of efficacious, affordable, and accessible products.
Bubble
Come Clean Face Mask - $19
According to Bubble, this mask cleans pores, and it is especially good for acne-prone, teenage skin. Products for teenage, acne-prone skin tend to be dehydrating, but this one is hydrating, refreshing, and effective. If you have oily, dry, or combination skin, this makes for a great cleanser, but if you are dry, you might need a little more hydration.
Bubble Bounce Back Toner -$11.98
This toner is geared towards teens, and it is also very helpful for back acne because it’s a spray-on. This is one of the best body and face sprays because not only does it clear breakouts, it makes the skin feel bouncy and plush. It also helps your skin calm down when it’s irritated from environmental pollutants. Infused with antioxidants and willow bark, the bounce-back toner cools and protects the skin down.
Furthermore, not only does bubble make effective products for acne, but it also supports the mental health journey that comes along with it. Available at Walmart, Bubble is a down-to-earth brand with recyclable packing.
Bubble Slam Drunk Hydrating Moisturizer (for dry skin) - $15
This literally feels like a couch cushion on your face, and it works well for those who are on the drier and oily side. You can slather it up at night, and it will help you wake up super glowy. When you rub it in, it has aloe, avocado, and shea butter. It has evening, and primrose oi, and best of all, it’s abundant in antioxidants, vitamin E, omega fatty acids.
Bubble Level Up Gel Moisturizer -$15
For those with oily and sensitive skin, this is a moisturizer that is not overly fragranced, has no synthetic dye, and locks in hydration throughout the day.
Fresh Start Cleanser - $9.98
Bubble Wipe Out Makeup Remover -$12.98
Pacifica
Pacifica Ceramide Barrier Cream -$16
This is a fragrance-free, cruelty-free vegan, and ceramide-infused cream for $16. You don’t have to pay a ton for ceramides, and you don’t have to buy CeraVe, a brand that is not cruelty-free. While drug store and grocery store accessible brands are important, it’s good for consumers to have a thorough understanding of cruelty-free, ceramide options. Lastly, while Pacifica is awesome and inexpensive, please note that the products are normally a bit more fragranced or sensorial.
InkeyList
Inkey List Tranexamic Acid -14.99
Contrary to the claims made by many companies, tranexamic acid will not erase wrinkles because it’s not a facelift in a bottle. However, when it’s suspended in the right formula, it does work very well. The tranexamic acid from Inkey List is a night treatment, and it supports skin barrier recovery, especially in regards to hyperpigmentation. This formula goes onto the skin flawlessly, and the texture is reminiscent of royal jelly. If you have skin that is really struggling, this is definitely amazing. It’s a little bit thick so we wouldn’t recommend it during the day.
Inkey List 15% Vitamin C EGF Serum - $14.99
This serum offers vitamin C and epidermal growth factor. This is one of the most affordable vitamin C products, but it doesn’t sting like many other vitamin Cs. Because Vitamin C absorbs better when suspended in a low Ph formula, vitamin C serums can throw off the skin’s Ph and cause irritation. However, they still generally perform well when layered beneath a sunscreen. Vitamin Cs can oxidize under the sun, but applying sunscreen over vitamin C prevents this from happening as much and likewise lessens irritation.
Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser - $9.99
This cleanser is good for breakouts. If you have oily to combo skin, this is one of the best acne cleansers on the market. The salicylic acid cleanser cuts through oil nicely, it lathers up a bit, and it fights little blemishes.
The Ordinary
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin -$11.99
This is another hyperpigmentation superstar. This is alpha arbutin from the InkeyList, and it is truly the most bang for your buck. Alpha arbutin helps with pigmentation because it inhibits the tyrosine pathway, a process that creates melanin. Alpha arbutin is actually transformed by your skin into hydroquinone, and hydroquinone slows down the process of melanin being released to the skin’s surface. This formula is a very light serum that you can put onto during the day or night.
If you struggle with hyperpigmentation, it’s a fabulous product to add to your routine. If you’re worried about mild melasma, pigmentation, or pigmentation after breakouts, you can even apply it weeks before you spend time in the sun. If know you’re going to be in the sun sometime soon, you can preemptively get your skin to slow down melanin production so that way it can’t spread as much.
The Ordinary “B” Oil -$9.20
This has an amazing blend of oils like squalane, argan, rose hip, and borage seed oil. There is microalgae in this formula too, and if you’re looking for an oil that makes you glowy and doesn’t throw off your acid mantle, this is great.
The Ordinary Aha 30% Bha 2% Peeling Solution- $7.20
The Ordinary Pycnogenol 5% - $9.40
This is a water-free formula with pycnogenol. Pycnogenol is an antioxidant from pine trees, and it works so well on the face. You can use this product in your skin every day, It makes your skin feel better, and it’s similar to the B oil. Even after washing it off of your skin, your skin feels better and more supported.
YesTo
Yes To Watermelon Super FreshGel Moisturizer -$15.20
This is the watermelon gel moisturizer, and although it does not cater to a specific skin issue or problem, it’s very hydrating. On top of that, it smells amazing. This is a more liquid dupe for the glow recipe watermelon moisturizer. It has watermelon, and it’s packed with antioxidants. It’s a wonderful, gel formula, and works well when applied during the day.
Furthermore, not only does bubble make effective products for acne, but it also supports the mental health journey that comes along with it. Available at Walmart, Bubble is a down-to-earth brand with recyclable packing.
Yes To Avocado Fragrance-Free Daily Mineral Lotion SPF 15 (for indoor use only) - $6.49
Jumiso
Jumiso All Day Vitamin Brightening and Balancing Facial Serum - $19.80
Jumiso has a really good and inexpensive K beauty vitamin C. This serum has vitamins A, D, E, and K. It also has soothing centella asiatica.
Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of sunscreens that fulfill brand claims, but the Yes To Avocado Mineral lotion does. This is only an SPF 15 so we would recommend using it indoors and to reapply it often. However, any broad-spectrum SPF protects about 93% of the sun’s rays. This broad-spectrum, mineral lotion protects UVB and UVA rays. UVA rays accelerate aging and UVB rays cause burns. This mineral lotion, a rare find, protects against both types of rays. Moreover, it’s fragrance-free, and it doesn’t take much to rub it in. This is a non-irritating, tint-fee, relatively sheer formula.
Acne Free
Acne Free Adapalene Gel - $8.99
This is a cruelty-free dupe of DIfferin gel, an acne favorite. Adapalene gel is a synthetic retinoid that is non-sensitizing so if you’re looking for a prescription-strength retinoid that doesn’t irritate or cause redness, dryness, and flakiness the way most retinoids do, this is a great one. Plus, it’s less expensive than Differin gel. This product is a relatively new concept given that it’s an inexpensive, cruelty-free, and non-prescription version of a synthetic retinoid. Moreover, even if you don’t have acne, this works on wrinkles and fine lines. As long as you don’t get it in the conjunctiva, you can put it around the eye where those crow’s feet are, and you can also use it for hyperpigmentation and scars.
Australian Gold
Australian Gold Botanical Tinted Sunscreen Lotion -$13.99
This product is a bit more expensive than the rest, but you get a ton of product. On top of that, this is truly one of the best tinted sunscreens that Cassandra has ever used. It’s fluffy, and it has shea butter. This looks luxurious on your skin, and it gives you a little bit of coverage.
To view a video explanation of these products, click here