Reasonably priced skincare for sensitive, breakout-prone skin

After many, many, many years of playing the skincare snakes ‘n ladders game (you know the one – moments of high hopes with each new purchase only to slide down the ladder of disappointment when your face erupts in either a rash or pimples, or both), I have finally found my skincare ‘holy grail’. My skin is calm, without redness and no breakouts (well, no breakouts when I do follow my routine and not go to bed with pore-clogging makeup on!).

The holy grail isn’t one miracle product though – it’s a combination of a few, most of them reasonably priced. Some of them are even CHEAP!

Morning Routine

Step 1: Cleansing

Morning and night I cleanse twice with Cetaphil® Gentle Skin Cleanser. Many years ago a dermatologist recommended it when I suffered from acne and it worked. But of course once the acne had cleared I was brainwashed persuaded by skincare companies to use their complete ranges for “best results” and ended up on a merry-go-round of drying my skin out with harsh cleansers to remove excess oil and slathering on moisturisers to restore hydration.

Gentle, but thorough, cleansing that doesn’t strip your skin is vital.

Apply 4-5 pumps of Cetaphil (this stuff is CHEAP so you can be generous) onto dry skin and massage gently all over. Remove cleanser with a wet face cloth (warm-hot but not too hot). Apply another 4-5 pumps of cleanser, remove with a face cloth and then rinse with lukewarm water.

Cost: approx AU$20 for 1 litre

Step 2: Primer

I don’t use toner. I try to keep things VERY basic to minimise the chances of irritation. So I move straight onto applying a primer. Laura Mercier’s range of Foundation Primers is wonderful. I’ve used both the Oil-Free and Protect versions – both with nice results. I’m using Protect these days because it contains Broad Spectrum SPF30. I was worried it would irritate but it’s perfect.

Cost: approx AU$37 for 50ml

Step 3: Moisturisation

Because I’m older I like to apply extra hydration around my eyes and neck after Primer. The Jojoba Company’s 100% Natural Intense Overnight Renewal Cream is beautifully textured and an all-natural product. It absorbs readily and doesn’t feel greasy.

Cost: approx AU$53 for 50ml

If budget permits I’ll use L’Occitane’s Immortelle Divine Eyes eye cream around my eyes instead of the Jojoba but most of the time I have better things to spend my money on.

Cost: approx AU$93 for 15ml

Step 4: Foundation

Oh how I wish I could skip this step. Maybe one day when I don’t have to work in an office. When I’m not at work I like to go sans makeup to let my skin breath and it feels and looks even better after that break. But at the moment makeup is a necessity and I’ve found the most lovely, easy and inexpensive makeup there is: Natio’s Cream to Powder Foundation. For about $20 (!!) and it’s amazing. I was worried it would dry out my skin as it transitions into the powder but it’s perfectly balanced. I use the Light shade.

I apply one coat, go make breakfast and then apply another light coat where extra cover is necessary. Then I apply eye makeup, blush and lipgloss.

Cost: approx AU$20 for 7.5g, comes with sponge and mirror in a cleverly designed compact

Evening Routine

Step 1: Cleansing

Apply Cetaphil® Gentle Skin Cleanser as per morning routine. However, before removing the second application we need to move onto Step 2…

Step 2: (Gentle) Exfoliation

If I don’t exfoliate I breakout but I don’t want to use abrasive exfoliating creams every day. The answer, gentle exfoliation in the form of Olay’s Regenerist Advanced Cleansing System oscillating brush.

You could probably use a regular face brush or a more expensive Clarisonic. Olay is at a price I am willing to pay.

So while your face is covered in the second application of Cetaphil cleanser, massage your face with the brush (I think it’s 20 seconds each cheek, 10 secs around chin and mouth, then nose. I probably do 20 seconds for the forehead too coz I have a large forehead. Don’t forget the bridge of your nose (my #1 spot for breakouts).

Then remove cleanser with a warm-hot wet face cloth again and rinse face with lukewarm water.

Cost: approx AU$35 + replacement brush heads and batteries (I don’t use the cleansing product it comes with)

Step 3: Night Cream

Most nights I apply Neutrogena’s Ageless Intensives™ Deep Wrinkle Moisture night cream. It helps reduce pigmentation and acne scars, evens out skintone and supposedly reduces fine lines. It seems to make my pores less visible. I use it on my face and neck but I still prefer to use a moisturiser around my eyes (either the L’Occitane or Jojoba, depending on budget).

Cost: approx AU$30 for 1.4 fl oz

If my skin is feeling dry in Winter I alternate the Neutrogena with The Jojoba Company moisturiser.

Weekly Treatment

Once a week I give my skin a deep cleanse and face oil treatment. Oil!!! Yes, I was terrified too but it’s really good.

So after cleansing twice with Cetaphil, rinse face and apply Natio’s Purifying Face Scrub for Men. Aren’t I a woman? Why, yes I am! But this exfoliator is lovely and grainy – the one for women feels like chalk. After rubbing scrub over damp face, rinse with lukewarm water and apply a warm-hot face cloth to your skin to open pores.

Cost: approx AU$13 for 100g

Then, while still damp, apply Natio’s Clay and Plant Face Mask Purifier. Leave on for 15 minutes then remove with the face cloth. Rinse face with cool water and pat dry with a towel.

Cost: approx AU$16 for 100g

Now we apply the oil. But not just any oil, Sukin’s Facial Treatment Oil (now named Restoring Argan Oil). It’s 100% natural and contains argan oil, rose hip and jojoba oils so it’s high in antioxidants and Vitamin E. I like to do my weekly treatment on a Saturday morning and let the Sukin oil do its thing while I do my thing (i.e. housework).

Cost: approx AU$20 for 25ml

So there you have it, a complete skincare routine for around $200-$300 all up. Not bad, considering how much some individual products on the market sell for. If you do try any of the products on the list I’d love to hear your experiences, good or bad.