Working within a beauty budget doesn’t mean we can’t have glorious products that supersede our needs and expectations. The search for affordable, natural, effective skincare will continue and yield both fresh ideas and basic ingredients that have always worked. When times are tough, the tough get back to basics. Recessionista beauty is all about beauty fundamentals: a clear complexion that’s toned, moisturized, and radiant. Who needs vibrating mascara wands, lip plumpers, and primers when your skin looks even better without makeup?
And you don’t have to sacrifice high quality, toxin-free skincare just because you’re managing a beauty budget. Since the latest trend in beauty consumption, according to Mintel (a beauty market research company), is only buying effective, necessary products, we’ve focused on the skincare essentials that we, at least, can’t live without. We’ve found 12 picks in eight categories that comprise a standard beauty routine, and most are under $30.
Our search, by no means exhaustive, required brands that used natural or organic ingredients and none of the nasties: parabens, synthetic fragrances, petro-chemicals, sulfates, artificial colors, or other carcinogens.
Lina Hanson, makeup artist and author of Eco-Beautiful, The Ultimate Guide To Natural Beauty and Wellness(Rodale, 2009) helped us narrow down our search by weighing in with some sage beauty advice. “Some amazing ingredients to look for in natural skincare are aloe vera, shea butter, jojoba oil, calendula, vitamin E oil, and chamomile, which keep your skin soft and moisturized the all-natural way,” says Hanson.
Cleanse:
Eco-friendly skin products treat your skin more gently than those laden with harsh chemicals, but still, you want to find a cleanser that complements your skin type and cooperates with your beauty budget. Kimberly Parry Organics Cleansing Oil helps soothe irritated skin by replenishing and hydrating with nutritious oils (8 oz; $33.90). For dryer skin, The Body Deli Almond Milk Cleanser works wonders. It completely rinses away without a trace, doubles as a makeup remover, and quenches dehydrated skin (4 oz; $21).
Tone:
Don’t be tempted to skip this underrated step. Toning removes any excess grease, makeup, or cleanser residue, creating a pure surface that easily absorbs moisture. A spritzer/toner combo lets you refresh whenever and tone as needed. Pangea Organics Italian Green Mandarin with Sweet Lime Toner gives you a burst of stimulating aromatherapy, reviving your cells and your spirit (2 oz; $16).
Moisturize AM:
Depending on how dry your skin is, you might want to consider moisturizing several times a day. For parched skin, look for moisturizing superstars like almond, argan, and rosehip oil. Pangea Organics Italian Red Mandarin with Rose Facial Cream stars argan in its hydration arsenal, absorbs instantly, and smells like an English garden (1 oz; $20).
Moisturize PM:
For oilier skin, sometimes a lighter serum or oil gives you all the moisture you need, allows the skin to breathe, and avoids the clog factor. Kahina Giving Beauty Argan Oil saturates skin with rich antioxidants and Vitamin E while healing inflammation, minimizing fine lines, and restoring the skin’s elasticity (30 ml; $36). If you like the heavier feel of a cream, try Made From Earth PH Equilibrant Moisturizer Cream, old-world goodness that relies on Vitamin A, B-5, and E to bolster the skin’s moisture balance (2.0 oz; $14.99).
Eye Cream:
The skin under the eyes thin, delicate, and sensitive needs special consideration. Give your eyes some mad love and get them their very own treat. Made From Earth Chamomile Eye Cream impresses with its blend of wild-crafted herbs and essential oils, including primrose, avocado, Vitamin B-5, C, and E specifically designed to bring out brightness, diminish dark circles, and minimize puffiness. This product has been a favorite from the very first use. Use day and night, (1 oz; $24.49).
SPF:
The most effective anti-aging treatment you can find is sunscreen. This is not the place to skimp in managing your beauty budget. Daily use of a mineral sunblock protects your skin from the sun’s subtle ravaging. It’s hard to find a good physical sunblock that absorbs well, but both these sunscreens passed the easy application test and got bonus points for providing moisture too. Goddess Garden Organics Facial SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen (3.4 oz; $10.62) and Juice Beauty SPF 30 Sports Sunscreen, (2 oz; $29).
Mask:
At least once a week, work a rejuvenating face mask into your beauty budget. Think of it as a deep clean for your complexion, restoring tone and balance to skin havoc. Drier skins may do well with clay-based masks like the Alaska Glacial Clay Purifying Mineral Mud Masque (3.5 oz; $35) that serve as a poultice, absorbing oils and impurities while repairing cellular damage. Great for all over the body, but be sure to use it on your neck and chest as well as your face. For those who prefer a moisture bath, Juice Beauty Organic Facial Blemish Clearing Mask is skin food at its best. Organic fruit acids load up the skin with antioxidants, while honey acts as a humectant, helping your skin retain moisture while clearing up pimples (2 oz; $24).
Exfoliate:
Make room for an exceptional exfoliator within your beauty budget. Those with clogged pores and a tendency toward blackheads might want to use scrubs a couple of times a week, while thinner, more sensitive skin should resist the urge to exfoliate more than once a week. John Masters Jojoba & Ginseng Exfoliating Face Cleanser works for all skin types, with ginseng encouraging circulation while jojoba beads stimulate the skin’s lymphatic system to release impurities (4 oz; $28).
