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Skincare on a Budget: How to Get that Glow Without Breaking the Bank

Posted by Team Maelove on

"How much does it cost?"

"Is it expensive?"

"I can't afford that."

If any of these statements sound familiar, stop what you're doing and take a minute to read this.

Skincare doesn't have to be expensive.

Sure, some products might be pricier than others, but if you know what your skin needs and how to shop around, you can have a good skincare routine without breaking the bank.

Expensive skincare does not necessarily equate to better or more effective ingredients. Sure, the all-mighty brands might promise to give you better results than drugstore brands, but there are other options out there, and they're just as good.

To help you out, we’ve compiled a six-step budget skincare routine with recommendations for the actual products you should use at each step.

Before we get down to it, let’s talk a little about what you need to know before purchasing skincare products.

Before You Spend Money, Consider This

At Maelove, the first thing we'd do if someone came up to us asking for budget skincare suggestions is a little test. We ask them one simple question:

"What type of skin do you have?"

It may seem like an unnecessary question, but it's crucial to finding the proper routine and products for you. 

Testimonial from Catherine G.

You see, each skin type requires products that are specific to their concerns and needs. For example, if you have dry skin, finding products with oil based ingredients will make your skin supple and relieve the dryness.

On the other hand, if you have oily skin, it needs to be hydrated but not with heavy creams.

What you need are water-based products that contain mattifiers such as clay or kaolin. These ingredients soak up excess sebum, so your skin doesn't look greasy throughout the day.

People frequently buy skincare products based on ingredients instead of skin type. They'll decide to purchase something because they're obsessed with the way vitamin C works on skin or because glycolic acid is great for exfoliating.

While those are great ingredients to have in your skincare routine, not all of them will work for your skin type. Before you go out and buy a bunch of products, figure out what your skin needs first, and then move on to the ingredients.

When you’re on a budget, all you need for glowing skin is to follow these six steps with the right products. 

Step 1: Choose a Cleanser that’s Neither Drying nor Greasy

The Refresher by Maelove
Refresher Clarifing Cleanser

Cleansing your skin is the first and most essential step of a good routine. It allows you to unclog your pores from the buildup of dirt, sweat, makeup, and other pollutants.

The right cleanser strips away dirt without destroying your skin’s natural moisture barrier. It also cleanses thoroughly without leaving behind a greasy feel. You should be looking for a product that leaves your skin feeling clean and revitalized.

The Refresher by Maelove should top your list of cleansers that gives the most bang for your buck. We say this for three reasons:

  • It contains a triple blend of alpha-hydroxy acids (lactic, malic, and tartaric) for thorough cleansing and gentle exfoliation. 
  • Its triple blend organic peppermint and spearmint oil infusion smells good and leaves your skin feeling fresh. 
  • It won’t disrupt your skin’s moisture barrier.

For $19.95, you get a winning formula that’s loved by customers of all skin types:

“I really like this product. I have aging skin that is still oily and this product leaves my skin really clean without feeling dry or tight. It's minty, but never stings. My skin is looking fresher!”
Gloria W., United States 

Step 2: Opt for Gentle Exfoliation

The Exfoliator by Maelove
Deep Exfoliator

Exfoliation is not part of a basic, day-to-day skincare routine. However, when done two to three times a week, it’s a game-changer.

Gentle exfoliation removes dead surface skin cells, giving you a radiant glow. It also helps your skin absorb moisture and treatments better.

When choosing exfoliators, you have to be careful because rough, oddly shaped granules can cause tiny tears on your skin. Over time, this results in damage and dullness rather than the glow you’re hoping for.

The Exfoliator by Maelove is a gentle BHA + clay facial scrub that you won’t regret adding to your regimen. Its winning quality is that it’s free of microbeads and triclosan—two of the worst ingredients an exfoliator can contain. Instead, it has:

  • BHA (Salicylic Acid) and Pulverized Clay to draw out impurities and unclog pores for smooth skin. 
  • Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Glycerin, Allantoin, and Vitamin E to moisturize and refresh your skin.

This winning formula goes for $24.49 and is the secret to a more effective skincare routine. 

Step 3: Hydrate for Bouncy, Healthy Skin 

The Hydrator by Maelove
Hydrator B5 Gel

We’re going beyond basic skincare with this step. Many people overlook hydration, not knowing it’s what makes skin firm, plump, and diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Contrary to popular belief, fine lines are not the preserve of aging skin. Young people can get them too, so hydration is an excellent idea for all.

A juicy dose of Hyaluronic Acid gel does the trick. If you opt for The Hydrator by Maelove, you also get:

  • Panthenol (Vitamin B5) for your skin’s nutrition. 
  • Resveratrol for extra hydration.

The Hydrator is a lightweight gel that won’t leave your skin feeling greasy, and it goes for $29.95. 

Step 4: Treat with Serum

The Nia 10 Calming Serum
Nia 10 Calming Serum

There’s no limit to how much TLC your skin needs. Treating it with a well-formulated serum can help to calm irritation and reduce redness. You want a lightweight product that is fast-absorbing and rich in nutrients to improve your skin tone and clarity.

The good news is that treating your skin doesn’t have to be pricey—not when Maelove has several products that get the job done.

The Nia 10 Calming Serum is specially formulated to treat inflamed, dry, or acne-prone skin. It contains Niacinamide, Zinc, and White Tea extract that work together to calm skin, get rid of redness, and improve your skin tone.

For $29.95, you can get this gentle yet effective serum that has customers impressed:

“Have used this serum for over a year. It's a game changer for rosacea. The redness, blotches and uneven skin tone has disappeared. It takes a month plus to show results so be patient. Just love this serum!”
Sonia F., United States

You can layer the Nia 10 Calming Serum with other Maelove serums, including the Stargaze Enhanced Retinol Serum, and Moonlight Retinal Super Serum

Step 5: Moisturize for a Dewy Look

The One Cream, a gentle face moisturizer by Maelove
One Cream

Now that your skin is cleansed, exfoliated, hydrated, and treated, it’s time to seal in all the ingredients with a moisturizer. Be careful to choose the right moisturizer for your skin type by following these simple rules:

  • Use a lightweightmoisturizer for oily skin.
  • Use a hydrating moisturizer for dry skin.
  • Use a moisturizer with peptides and other firming nutrients for aging skin.

The Plush Cream by Maelove is a featherweight moisturizer that works best for combination and oily skin. For maximum moisturization without a heavy texture, it’s formulated with squalane, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, niacinamide, and algae extract.

The One Cream by Maelove is a heavier cream that’s perfect for normal and dry skin. It contains a triple-blend of squalane, coconut extracts, and glycerin to seal in your products. It’s also infused with prebiotics to nourish your skin.

Each moisturizer goes for $29.95 and can be used for both morning and night routines. 

Step 6: Use SPF 30 or Higher if You’re Stepping Out

Sun Protector SPF 30 by Maelove
Sun Protector SPF 30

After following the first five steps, your skin is loaded with moisture and antioxidants. We recommend finishing your routine with sunscreen to keep your glow all day long and further protect yourself from the elements.

Did you know that 80% of premature aging is caused by the sun? It’s one of the main reasons you should stock up on SPF 30 or higher and apply it before heading out for the day.

The Sun Protector by Maelove is naturally formulated to give your skin a strong defense against harmful UVA and UVB rays. It has potent antioxidants, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E, that fortify your skin even further.

The best part? You can get this silky smooth SPF that also doubles as a makeup primer for only $21.95!

Save More with Maelove Bundles

The truth is, prevention costs less when it comes to skincare. If you form a habit of caring for your skin consistently today, you save yourself the future expense of creams and serums that claim to correct all the damage.

What’s more, by understanding your skin type and choosing products that offer the most value for your money, you can make significant savings.

At Maelove, we’re big on creating potent products that make a difference you can see and feel. Our products offer great value because they:

  • Contain tried-and-true ingredients
  • Are consistently high quality
  • Have a proven track record according to reviews from happy customers

You can save even more by purchasing one of our product bundles. Whether you’re looking for a hydration kit or products to fade scar spots and improve your skin tone, we have the right bundle for you.

Start your journey to glowing skin today and enjoy free shipping to all 50 U.S. states.

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