Put money in my hand and I’ll spend it – make no mistake about that. But the chances are few and far between, and the majority of the time I’m working on a tight budget that has to cater to all of my skincare needs.
I’m fortunate to have a job that supplies me with a lot of the grooming tools I need, but I still have the mindset of not overindulging – and if someone asks me for advice, there are cornerstone products I’ll always recommend before anything else.
Although there’s no foolproof blanket answer for everyone and, depending on your skin type and specific needs, you’ll want to make amendments to make your money stretch as far as possible, there are certain products that are more 'necessary' than others.
So when it comes to choosing between long-term and short-term fixes, I’d always secure the necessities first, and invest in other products as and when you’re able. That’s not to discredit particular products, but grooming and skincare regimes are made up of several building blocks, so to speak, and you’ve got to work from the ground upwards to build a solid and effective routine that suits your skin type.
THE HOLY TRINITY: CLEANSE, HYDRATE, PROTECT
Whether you’re looking to build or refine your skincare routine, you’ll need 3 essentials: a cleanser, a moisturising product, and an SPF - and none of it has to be expensive.
You shouldn’t be spending a significant amount on your cleanser at all, because that's like, well, throwing your money down the drain - literally.
I’m always banging on about SPF, and have written about it in depth before, but it really is the key to anti-ageing. However, money isn't everything. Look for a broad spectrum formula, with UVA, UVB and ideally IR protection.
Finally, when it comes to moisturising...
Click here to read the full 'Maximise your skincare budget' blog post...
