If You're on a Budget, These Are the Four Things You Should Invest Your Money In
Autumn is well and truly here now and I think our summer holidays are probably a distant memory. The only thing that reminds us of them now and again is when you look at your bank account and realise how much you spent on Ubers... or is that just me?
With a change in season, we tend to get a change in our skin too. The cooler months can bring more risk of an impaired barrier, dryness and dehydration, which can then lead to dull, grey-looking skin... not exactly what we want for the cosy autumn months.
It can be tempting to almost start again with our skincare regimen, but it's not always necessary. And if you're on a budget, it also might not be possible.
So I've listed four products that I think are worth investing in and spending your money on. Yes, some might be at a slightly higher price point and no, nobody is saying you have to buy them all either... but if you get the right product combination for your skin, you will hopefully see a lovely change.
Let's call them a good 'skinvestment' 😉
1. CLEANSER
I know a lot of people don't think their cleanser is particularly important, but I absolutely disagree. If your cleanser is stripping your barrier, it's causing damage to your skin and no matter how much you spend on serums, lotions and potions, if you're creating damage every single time you wash your face, you're wasting your money on everything else.
My favourite cleansers are my Cleansing Beauty Balm, Revision Papaya Enzyme Cleanser and Nimue Cleansing Gel. The balm is great for removing makeup and using as a first cleanse, while the latter two are great options for cleansing the skin thoroughly without leaving it feeling stripped.
Never underestimate the importance of a good cleanser!
2. DAILY MOISTURISER/BARRIER SUPPORT
Ideally, your daily face cream should help to support your skin barrier at the same time.
Face creams and serums are always a bit of a difficult one when you're on a budget because some of the more advanced formulations I recommend do tend to come with a higher price point. That being said, there are some that aren't too crazy, and like I said, this is a 'skinvestment' after all.
My favourite all-round day cream has to be Nimue Day. It contains a small amount of AHAs to help with skin rejuvenation, while also hydrating and supporting the skin. It's a lovely lightweight moisturiser that pretty much does what it says on the tin. It helps to improve the appearance of an uneven complexion, rejuvenate dull and tired-looking skin and give you that all-important hydration too.
If you want a slightly richer option, then the Nimue Multi Day Plus is another great option as well. Very similar to the Nimue Day, but has a richer and more moisturising consistency.
3. RETINAL/RETINOID
I'm never a huge fan of a lot of the topical retinols you can buy because some can cause quite a significant retinoid reaction, so peeling, flaking, redness and dryness, while others contain very gentle forms of vitamin A that might not give you the skin-changing results you're looking for.
This is where formulation really matters.
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream, AlphaRet Clearing Serum for more acne-prone skins, and Nimue Retinal Power+ Serum are some of my absolute favourites. They're incredibly effective vitamin A products but have been formulated with tolerability in mind, so you're aiming for all those lovely retinoid benefits without constantly having to deal with red, flaky, irritated skin.
And that's really important because consistency is where you're going to see the results. If your retinoid is so irritating that you're forever stopping it to allow your barrier to recover, you're not going to get the same benefit from using it consistently over time.
Retinoids have some of the best evidence behind them when it comes to improving the appearance of fine lines, pigmentation, texture and photoageing, so if skin longevity is your goal, this is one area where I personally think it's worth investing.
Yes, these are probably the highest price point when it comes to a 'skinvestment', but in my opinion, they're absolutely worth the money.
4. SPF
What would an Emmaline Tsui blog post be without a mention of SPF?
If you invest in nothing else, a well-formulated SPF should be right at the top of your skincare shopping list. And yes, you still need it in autumn and winter!
If you're using actives such as AHAs and retinoids, SPF becomes even more important, but regardless of what else you're putting on your face, protecting your skin from UV is one of the most important things you can do for both skin health and skin longevity.
I will always love my Nimue Sun-C SPF 40. There is also their Environmental Shield SPF 50 and Revision Intellishade TruPhysical SPF 45 if you want something tinted with a little more coverage.
Of course, there are so many other products I absolutely adore and personally couldn't be without, but if we're really trimming it down and talking about core skincare products, these would be my top four, hands down.
And remember, the change of season doesn't mean you need to change everything. If your cleanser is working perfectly well, keep it. If you love your SPF, don't change it. You might simply find that you need a little more hydration or barrier support as the weather gets colder.
I'd much rather you invest in a few really good products that are right for your skin and use them consistently than have a bathroom cabinet full of products you use every now and again.
If you're completely baffled by it all and aren't sure what your skin needs or which products are actually worth spending your money on, why not book an online consultation with me here or fill out my free Skin Check-In form? We can create a skincare regimen that is completely suited to your skin, lifestyle and, of course, your budget too.
Thank you so much for reading,
Emmaline
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