Creating a Skincare Routine for Under $50 (Dry/Sensitive Skin)

Contrary to what the skincare industry wants us to believe, you do not need to spend hundreds of dollars on luxury skincare products to see glowing results.

Just because a skincare routine is complicated or expensive does not mean it is effective. I am here to spread the good word about beautiful, effective skincare that does not break the bank.

Below, I have curated three different routines for sensitive/dry skin, though many of the products are loved by all skin types. The routine options I created are for a full 6-step routine, a 4-step routine, and a simple 3-step routine all for under $50. I know, under $50! Wild!

As a person with sensitive/dry skin myself, some things I have found helpful are staying away from irritating ingredients like fragrance and essential oils and focusing on hydrating and soothing ingredients.

These routines feature products from effective, affordable brands I believe in like The Ordinary, The Inkey List, Naturium, KraveBeauty, Rovectin and Pipette.

Remember everyone's skin is different, and skincare is about patience and finding what works best for you. After all, one person's trash is another person's HOLY GRAIL PRODUCT.

I am not a licensed dermatologist or aesthetician. I am merely a skincare nerd who struggled with painful, inflamed cystic acne for 6 years. I have a passion for skincare and sharing tips and tricks I have learned along my journey. If you are struggling with your skin, go see a dermatologist and get the help you and your beautiful skin deserve.

Let's get started!

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6-STEP ROUTINE

1. CLEANSER: THE INKEY LIST - Oat Cleansing Balm ($9.99)

This gentle, vegan, cruelty-free formula supports the skin barrier, soothes, and reduces redness. An all-in-one step to remove makeup and grime.

STAR INGREDIENTS: Sweet Almond Oil, Oat Kernel Oil & Sunflower Oil

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2. EYE CREAM: THE ORDINARY - Caffeine 5% + ECGC Depuffing Eye Serum ($6.70)

This antioxidant-rich eye serum is brightening and hydrating. A great option is you struggle with dark circles and morning puffiness.

STAR INGREDIENTS: Caffeine, Glycerin, Green Tea, Hyaluronic Acid & Lactic Acid

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3. SERUM: THE INKEY LIST - Q10 Antioxidant Serum ($6.99)

This antioxidant-rich serum protects against free radicals, prevents signs of aging, and hydrates.

STAR INGREDIENTS: Co-Q10, Glycerin, Peptides, Hyaluronic Acid & Squalane

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4. MOISTURIZER: THE INKEY LIST - Vitamin B, C, and E Moisturizer ($4.99)

This cruelty-free, vitamin-rich moisturizer clarifies, hydrates, brightens, soothes, and moisturizes.

STAR INGREDIENTS: Glycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Vitamin C, Vitamin E & Sunflower Seed Oil

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5. FACE OIL: THE ORDINARY - 100% Plant-Derived Squalane ($7.90)

This lightweight, skin-identical oil is noncomedogenic, protective, nourishing, moisturizing, and helps prevent trans-epidermal water loss (the process of water evaporating from your skin).

STAR INGREDIENTS: Squalane

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6. SPF: PIPETTE - Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 ($12)

This lightweight, fast-absorbing, non-sticky formula protects against UVA/UVB rays and moisturizes.

STAR INGREDIENTS: Zinc Oxide 20%, Squalane (100% sugarcane-derived), Glycerin, Bisabolol & Wild Gooseberry Extract

GRAND TOTAL = $48.57!

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4-STEP ROUTINE

1. CLEANSER: NATURIUM - Niacinamide Cleansing Gelée 3%($18.00)

This all-in-one hydrating, gel cleanser dissolves makeup and impurities, brightens dark spots, smooths texture, balances, and softens.

STAR INGREDIENTS: Niacinamide, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid & Camu Camu Fruit Extract

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2. MOISTURIZER: NATURIUM - Multi-Peptide Moisturizer ($19)

This nutrient-dense, fast-absorbing formula moisturizes, plumps, smooths & brightens.

STAR INGREDIENTS: Glycerin, Jojoba Seed Oil, Squalane, Niacinamide, A Multi-Peptide Blend, Micro-Algae, Panthenol, Cacay Oil & Encapsulated Ethylated Vitamin C

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3. FACE OIL: THE ORDINARY - 100% Plant-Derived Hemi-Squalane ($3.95)

Differing slightly from the 100% Plant-Derived Squalane I listed before, this Hemi-Squalane has the same moisturizing benefits at half the price. It improves the look of skin elasticity and suppleness.

STAR INGREDIENTS: C13-16 Isoparaffin

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4. SPF: PUBLIC GOODS - SPF 50 Spray Sunscreen ($9.50)

This broad-spectrum, 100% reef-safe SPF nourishes and protects your skin, without leaving a white cast.

STAR INGREDIENTS: Avobenzone 3%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 8%, Aloe & Avocado Oil.

GRAND TOTAL = $50.45 (Yeah, yeah I know, but it's 45 cents!)

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3-STEP ROUTINE

1. CLEANSER: KRAVEBEAUTY - Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser ($16.00)

This antioxidant-rich cleanser is moisturizing, soothing, reduces redness, replenishes the moisture barrier, and helps build a healthy skin barrier.

STAR INGREDIENTS: Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water (Green Tea), Glycerin, Sweet Almond Oil, Oat Kernal Extract & Vitamin B5

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2. MOISTURIZER: ROVECTIN - Lotus Water Cream ($20)

This vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free formula deeply hydrates, absorbs impurities, plumps, helps restore your skin barrier, and protects against free radicals.

STAR INGREDIENTS: Lotus Flower Extract, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Sweet Almond Oil, Aquaxyl & Allantoin

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6. SPF: PIPETTE - Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 ($12)

This lightweight, fast-absorbing, non-sticky formula protects against UVA/UVB rays and moisturizes.

STAR INGREDIENTS: Zinc Oxide 20%, Squalane (100% sugarcane-derived), Glycerin, Bisabolol & Wild Gooseberry Extract

GRAND TOTAL = $48!

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Thank you for taking the time to read this article! My wish for you is healthy, happy, glowing skin.

If you liked what you read, please give this a '<3', become part of my Vocal family by subscribing, and please check out my other works as well.

Similar works of mine include: "My Current Skincare Routine + Life-Changing Tips!" and "You Have a Skincare Routine for Your Face, but What About Your Body?"

What is your skincare routine? Favorite products? Questions? I would love to hear from you. Tweet me @BiancaAnneShaw

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