Best Products to Buy on a Budget (by skin type)

Everyone’s skin is different. These recommendations are based on common skin types and concerns.
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Oily Skin: The most common mistake people with oily skin make is using a harsh cleanser on their face. When you first use it your skin may feel tight and dry. Problem solved, you think. Wrong. What actually happens is you strip away the skin’s natural oils, cause irritation and trigger the skin to produce even MORE oil as it tries to heal itself. It actually makes the problem worse. What do I mean by harsh cleanser? I’ve had a lot of patients who use bar soap intended for the body (for example Irish Spring or Dial) on their face and have just this reaction. Another common one is acne body wash with salicylic acid. The skin on your back is way thicker and can tolerate more aggressive treatment. Facial skin much more sensitive so this is a bad idea.

For oily facial skin, buy a facial cleanser intended for normal to oily skin. My favorites are Cerave and La Roche-Posay, which can be found at most drugstores. Cetaphil’s Daily Facial Cleanser can be purchased for under $9.

If oiliness is still a problem throughout the day, use blotting papers. They’re small and easy to keep in your purse or the glovebox of your car. I got the ones I’m currently using from Amazon, 100 sheets for $6.99 (the brand is Natural Premium), but Target also sells their version for under $4 (70 sheets).

If you don’t need to hydrate your skin, you can skip moisturizer. If you use moisturizer because you want to accomplish something else (for example you want vitamins, antioxidants or anti-aging ingredients) consider using a serum. The Ordinary makes a whole of line of serums, many for under $10. If parts of your face are dry (you have combination skin) Neutrogena Hydroboost Gel is amazing.

Dry Skin: When it comes to moisturizers you want to look for ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, squalane and shea butter. If your skin is severely dry, La Roche-Posay’s LipikarAP is a great product. It’s actually safe to use it on both the body and face. Usually I wouldn’t recommend using one moisturizer for both because body creams tend to either clog the pores on your face or have a fragrance that could be irritating.

For a body wash that won’t dry or irritate your skin, consider using products meant for babies. Johnson’s Head-To-Toe Wash & Shampoo is tried and true, safe and inexpensive. Baby Magic makes similar products that sometimes cost a little less. If you don’t mind using bar soap, Dove sensitive skin bars are probably the best buy, and it’s also better for the environment.

If you use sunscreen, I highly recommend that you apply your moisturizer and sunscreen separately. Moisturizers with chemical sunscreen ingredients blended in tend to be less effective at hydrating the skin. You may have experienced having a thick layer of sunscreen on your face while simultaneously having peeling dry skin. It all just sits on top. If you feel like layering two products feels too heavy, try Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen.

Acne-prone: Coming up with the perfect regimen for acne-prone skin is a balancing act, and not all blemishes are the same. For tips regarding prescription medication, see How to Get Rid of Acne With or Without Health Insurance.

Most dermatologists I’ve met start all acne patients on a benzoyl peroxide wash. This can be inexpensively purchased at any drugstore. I was never a huge fan due to the dryness many of these products cause, but many people find it helpful. If you do opt to use benzoyl peroxide, keep in mind that some of these cleansers may be irritating when combined with other acne products.

If you are using a prescription cream to treat your acne, it’s likely that your skin has become dry and sensitive. A common mistake patients make is continuing to buy products for oily skin while using these medications. Let your skin live in the moment. Use products based on your skin’s current state.

While using a prescription retinoid, you should probably be using a gentle cleanser. There are lots of great ones at the drug store, all similarly priced. I’ve used both Neutrogena Ultra Gentle and CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser. I’ve also used pricier washes from Sephora and department stores. Even when my budget allows it, I prefer the drugstore stuff. I don’t think the minute differences are worth the hefty price tag.

There are lots of over-the-counter products that help with mild to moderate acne. Differn Gel used to be prescription-only and dermatologists prescribed it for decades. It still helps, it’s just not as strong as things like tretinoin (aka Retin-A) and tazarotene (aka Tazorac). There is a stronger version of Differin (aka adapalene), but it’s still prescription only.

Many over-the-counter products are essentially weaker versions of prescription drugs. Retinol is a weaker version of tretinoin (aka Retin A). It’s often advertised as a wrinkle treatment. Azelaic acid products contain a lower concentration than their prescription counterparts. That said, they can help with mild to moderate acne. The Inkey List 1% Retinol Serum can be purchased online for $15. The Ordinary’s Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% costs slightly less.

Sometimes dermatologists use chemical peels as part of acne treatment. There are tons of these products online. Some are pricey, some are not. Some seem to work, some don’t. The best product I’ve come across is The Ordinary’s AHA 30% + BHA 2%, which sells for under $10. The best part is it helps fade dark marks faster.

Anti-aging: The best thing you can do to prevent your skin from aging is be a vampire and never go in the sun. If you must go out, sunscreen is essential. The thing not everyone knows is that it needs to be reapplied every 2 hours. If you put it on under your makeup in the morning, you are not protected when you go out for lunch. Years ago I had several female patients who were old enough to have never worn a two-piece bathing suit in their lives. Their stomachs had never been exposed to the sun. Their arms were wrinkled, splotchy, dry and sagging from years of tennis and vacationing. Their abdomens? You couldn’t tell that skin from a twelve year old’s. I can’t stress enough the difference sunscreen can make. Even on cloudy days, even when it’s freezing cold. I’ve mentioned before that I love Neutrogena Ultra Sheer. That’s because if I have to reapply every two hours, I want something lightweight that won’t clog my pores.

Now that that’s out of the way, how do you choose an anti-aging cream? It mostly depends on your age, skin type and concerns. This is the one thing I tend to splurge on. But if you understand some of the key ingredients (see below), you can decide what’s right for you.

This may seem obvious but is worth mentioning: always read the reviews. Did the people that love it have a skin type similar to yours? Did they feel it worked on the specific problem that you have? For example, you might want to get rid of wrinkles. You might also have really dry skin. If you’re shopping for a product with retinol, you should see if anyone with dry skin experienced irritation. You get the idea.

Key Ingredients

Ceramides are great for hydration. They help strengthen the skin’s barrier, which helps to protect it from the environment. When the skin is well-hydrated, wrinkles and lines may be less visible. Ceramides can also help decrease inflammation.

Hyaluronic Acid helps the skin hold on to moisture. It can make skin appear plumper. It supports wound healing as well as collagen and elastin production.

Squalane is another potent moisturizing ingredient. It also works as an antioxidant…

Antioxidants The main thing “antioxidants” do is prevent aging by protecting the skin from environmental factors like pollution and the sun. They can also help even out skin tone. Vitamins C & E also help stimulate collagen productive. Niacinamide (B3) is used to help balance oil production. Green tea, which contains polyphenols, has anti-inflammatory affects and can help reduce redness. Resveratrol is a type of polyphenol found in many products that has similar properties. Retinol has been used in anti-aging treatments since the ‘80s. It increases collagen production and exfoliates the skin. As I’ve mentioned before, it can also be used to treat acne. Retinol has many benefits but remember it can be irritating. Start off using the smallest amount possible.

Peptides stimulate collagen and elastin production to help reduce wrinkles and improve firmness. Some have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Others help with reducing the appearance of fine lines by relaxing facial muscles. This is a must for mature skin.

Skin Brightening: When using a product to lighten dark marks, it’s imperative that you protect your skin from the sun in order for them to work.

Hydroquinone has been used to “bleach” skin since the 1950s. It’s been the mainstay of treatment for so long that it’s worth mentioning, even though all over-the-counter sales were recently banned in the U.S.. All strengths now require a prescription, even though it’s never covered by insurance because it’s considered cosmetic. If you do get a prescription, you can probably get a small tube for $20-$30 using GoodRx. These prices fluctuate and you’ll have to check online to see how much your local pharmacy charges. If you don’t have health insurance you can use an online service such as Nurx or Musely for a lot less than a doctor visit. That said, there are less expensive alternatives available.

The Ordinary’s AHA 30% + BHA 2% is inexpensive and easy to use. They also make Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%. You want to look for Glycolic Acid, Kojic Acid and Azelaic Acid. Glycolic Acid and Kojic Acid are AHAs. Azelaic Acid is a BHA. The key to success with skin brightening products is patience and perseverance coupled with strict sun protection.

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