Student Skincare On A Budget: Your Minimal Routine For Maximum Results

Looking for skincare on a budget but don't know where to start? Let’s face it, being a student can be tough. Between lectures, assignments, and a busy social life, it can feel like there's barely time to turn around, let alone invest time and money into your student skincare routine. But trust us, your skin will thank you later for giving it a little TLC during this crucial time in your life.   

Your skin is your body's largest organ, and it deserves a little love and care to keep it healthy and happy. Not only is a good skincare routine great for helping to prevent acne, reduce redness, and slow down the ageing process, it's also great self-care and allows you a little downtime after a busy day. Plus, an extra bonus of taking care of your skin is the boost you'll feel in your confidence thanks to your radiant complexion!

Why Students Need Skincare

Skincare for students is often overlooked, but student life can wreak havoc on your skin. Late nights, stress, unhealthy eating habits, and lack of sleep are all factors that can contribute to skin problems. Let's not even think about all those infamous drinking games and halls nights out that are a part of student life! Even implementing just a very simple skincare routine can help combat a lot of skin issues and keep your skin looking (and feeling) its best.

Building a Budget-Friendly Skincare Routine

The key to creating an affordable skincare routine is simplicity. You don't need a million products to achieve healthy skin - in fact, it can be done in just a few steps. Here's a basic routine to get you started.

Cleanse
Clean skin is healthy skin, so make sure to remove dirt and makeup with a gentle cleanser. Look for brands that offer affordable options. We love Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser 

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is a dermatologist-developed formula that effortlessly removes makeup while being exceptionally gentle on your skin. This soap-free cleanser maintains your skin's natural moisture balance and pH, leaving it soft and protected. Trusted by dermatologists for years, it's fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and suitable for all ages.

Moisturise
Hydrating your skin is a real must. It not only helps to prevent dryness and flakiness, but it also helps to keep your skin barrier nice and strong, helping your skin to remain healthy.  A great moisturiser that delivers on hydration but won't break the bank is Q+A Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser

Quench your skin's thirst and defy signs of ageing with Q+A Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser. This hydrating formula, suitable for all skin types, is packed with hyaluronic acid and polyglutamic acid to plump and smooth the complexion. Additionally, zinc PCA and niacinamide help refine pores for a clearer, healthier-looking glow. Crafted with 97.5% natural ingredients, this cruelty-free and vegan moisturiser is a kind-to-skin treat.

SPF
Sunscreen is a non-negotiable when it comes to daily skincare. But why? Not only does it protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays, but it also helps to keep your skin looking more youthful for longer. Make sure to look for a broad-spectrum SPF that protects against UVA (the rays that age your skin) and UVB (the rays that can cause skin cancer), and wear an SPF 30 as a minimum. It's recommended to use two fingers' worth of product to protect your face and neck - don't forget those often overlooked areas like your ears or your lips. An amazing budget-friendly sunscreen is Altruist Sunscreen SPF50

Protect your sensitive skin with Altruist Sunscreen. This lightweight, water-resistant formula offers superior protection against both UVA and UVB rays without irritating your skin. Free from parabens and fragrance, it absorbs quickly, leaving a nourished feel. With a 5-star ultra-UV rating, you can enjoy the sun with confidence.

Splurge-Worthy Products

While you can find great budget-friendly skincare products at drugstores, there are a few items where it might be worth investing a little extra.

Sunscreens
As mentioned, a high-quality SPF is crucial, but this doesn't need to mean it needs to break the bank. Look for one with physical blockers, like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for the best protection. If your skin is more on the sensitive side, you may find a mineral sunscreen more suitable.

For a physical sunscreen, we recommend Heliocare 360 Gel Oil-Free SPF 50 Shield your skin from the sun’s harmful rays with this lightweight, oil-free formula provides superior protection against UVA, UVB, visible light, and infrared radiation. Infused with powerful antioxidants, it helps prevent sun damage and premature ageing. Ideal for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin, this non-greasy sunscreen leaves a matte finish.

For a mineral sunscreen for sensitive skin, we recommend Hello Sunday The Mineral One - Lightweight Serum SPF50. This lightweight serum shields your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays while delivering a boost of hydration and antioxidants. Enriched with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and kukui oil, this fragrance-free formula helps to nourish and protect your skin from daily environmental stressors, including pollution and blue light. The addition of light-diffusing spheres create a flawless, radiant finish that's suitable for all skin tones.

Treatments 
If you're looking to up your skincare game and want to treat specific concerns, then you'll need skincare that's specially designed to target these areas. For example, if you want to target the early signs of ageing (usually from your early to mid-20's), then a good quality retinol, like Medik8 Retinol 3 TR would be a great addition to your routine. Working to target the visible signs of ageing, including wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of firmness, this gentle yet effective serum features 0.3% retinol. It's ideal for retinol newcomers or those looking to upgrade their skincare routine.

Or perhaps you're looking to treat and prevent skin pigmentation, in which case, a great vitamin C serum may be on your wish list. A perfect mid-range option is Pharmaceris N - C-Capilix Vitamin C Serum. Packed with 1200mg of active vitamin C, this formula deeply penetrates your skin to deliver a powerful antioxidant shield against environmental damage. By stimulating collagen production, it visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, restoring your skin's elasticity and firmness. This concentrated serum also helps to even skin tone, reduce redness, and protect against pigmentation.

Saving Money on Skincare

Take A Skin Test To Help You Find The Right Products
To help you pick the right products the first time, why not take our free online skin test? Simply fill in a questionnaire about your skin and goals and enjoy immediate personalised recommendations to help you shop savvier and find the perfect product matches for you. 

Do Your Research
It's not only important to find products that suit your skin type, but it also pays to do your research and shop around. Make sure to read reviews and compare prices before making a purchase to help you save money. 

Look For Deals
Many retailers offer sales and discounts on skincare products. Here at Face the Future, we offer a 10% discount for students via Student Beans. Simply register your Student Beans details here and get ready to shop and save on your faves!

Sample Products
Samples are a fabulous way to test out products and make sure they're suitable for you before you commit to buy. Ask for samples at beauty counters to try products before buying full-size versions, take advantage of gift with purchase offers, and look out for pop up appearances by your favourite brands in your local shopping centres or events grounds. 

Sign Up For Member Benefits 
Look out for rewards clubs or membership benefits with your favourite retailers where you can enjoy special perks. In fact, why not sign up to our Skinsider Rewards Club? We're currently on track to hit a major milestone: 100,000 members! To celebrate, we've giving our lucky 100,000th member a huge bundle of prizes that includes over £180 worth of products. Sign up now to be in with a chance!

Remember, consistency is key when it comes to skincare. Even a simple routine can make a big difference in the health and appearance of your skin. So, take some time for yourself, and give your skin the love it deserves!

We hope you enjoyed our post and learning more about budget skincare! We'd love if you stayed with us a little longer to read another post. We think you might like one of our recent entries: Discover The Best Eye Cream For Dark Circles.