Morning Skincare For College On a Budget
I love skincare. It is also one of the ways I practice self-care.
Skincare is the one thing I don’t mind spending extra on, even though I’m frugal. I don’t try to save by buying an untrusted dupe.
Despite this, I ensure I stick to my skincare budget so that I can always afford it in the long run.
In this blog post, I’ll share my budget-friendly and minimalist morning skincare routine.
My morning skincare routine
As a student, I keep my skincare routine very simple so that it is not time-consuming, and I can always follow it when I’m time-strapped.
I maintain a four-step skincare morning routine:
- Cleanse
- Treat
- Moisturize
- Protect
First Step – Cleanse
I wet my face with lukewarm water and rub the cleanser gently with my fingertips in a circular motion to wash away dirt. I currently use the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser.
I have also used other cleansers like Tiam Snail & Azulene Low pH Cleanser and CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser. I love them. These two cleansers are very gentle and hydrating.
After ensuring I washed my face thoroughly(without forgetting the area around my nose, under my eyes and chin), I rinse my face with lukewarm water and pat it dry with toilet paper.
If you are sure you can always ensure that your towel is clean or you prefer to avoid having lots of waste, you can pat dry with a soft towel. However, do not use the same towel for your body and face. I do not use towels because I usually cannot keep up with the “cleanliness” of my face towel.
If you use a paper towel, ensure you are gentle with it and dry your face while it is still wet to avoid leaving bits of toilet paper on it. I do not air dry my face because it leaves my skin tight and dry, but if airdrying works for you, feel free to do so.
Step 2 -Treat
For this step, I use Azelaic Acid
I suffer from acne and hyperpigmentation, so having ingredients that target these skin concerns is very important to me. Having ingredients that target your skin concerns is the most essential thing your skincare routine must have.
Before starting this step, I leave my face to dry for a few minutes (depending on my time) after pat drying.
This is because azelaic acid sometimes becomes itchy when your face is not completely dry (this is not the case for everyone, but it happens to me sometimes, so I try to be cautious).
I apply a pea-sized amount of azelaic acid all over my face, gently rub it in, and let it sink into my face for a few minutes.
The time I leave between each step depends on how much time I have or how busy I am.
Step 3 -Moisturize
After applying my azelaic acid gel, I lock it in with a moisturizer. I use the Cerave PM Facial Moisturising Lotion. It is very lightweight, not oily, and moisturizing. I use a generous amount of this moisturizer to moisturize every part of my face.
This moisturizer is very lightweight and works because I have a combination-to-oily skin. Although sometimes my skin becomes drier than usual due to activities or during winter, so I use the Cerave Night Renewing Cream. The Cerave Night Renewing Cream is heavier than the PM moisturizer, so I ensure I use not too much so that my face doesn’t become too oily as the day goes by.
Update: I recently switched from the Cerave Night Renewing Cream to The INKEY List Bio Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturizer. I have been loving it so far. You can read my review of it here.
Also, you might wonder why I use the Cerave PM Moisturizer in my morning routine. I do so because the only difference between the AM and PM Moisturizer is SPF, and since I already have an SPF step in my skincare routine, that will be a waste of money. Also, the moisturizer doesn’t contain any ingredient that makes it “bad” to use during the day.
I have also tried other moisturizers like Topicrem CICA Soothing Cream, a protective moisturizer for irritated, sensitive, or compromised skin. It was a perfect moisturizer. My only complaint is that it is not easily accessible.
Step 4 -Protect
This step is arguably the most crucial in a morning routine: the use of sunscreens. I use Isntree sunscreens. The first one I tried and used for months was The Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel, and I loved it. It was moisturizing, didn’t leave a white cast and had a glowy finish.
I recently switched to their Onion Sunscreen and have used it for almost a year. I love it, too. It has a less glowy finish compared to the Hyaluronic Acid one (which is a bonus because of my combination oily skin).
The Onion Sunscreen can potentially leave a white cast, depending on your skin tone. It is, however, moisturizing on the skin.
Another thing I love about both sunscreens is that I do not have to blend them at all. I spread the sunscreen all over my face and leave it to sink in by itself without blending because I am sure it will dry down to a nice finish; this saves me a lot of time. I use my SPF generously to ensure I have enough sun protection.
No one size fits for the measurement of sunscreen because of the difference in face size, shape, and other things like that. Just ensure you use your sunscreen generously and have enough coverage.
You can decide to follow the two-finger length or 1/4 teaspoon measurement or choose to apply it in layers of two. It depends on you, and whatever you feel gives you maximum coverage. Remember that whatever measurement or application method you choose is better than no sunscreen.
I follow my skincare routine almost strictly to achieve the desired result with my skincare concerns. Other times, I tweak my routine to fit my current skincare issue, which is mostly temporary. For example, if my skin becomes sensitive, flaky or too dry, I take out the second step of my skincare routine. I skip my azelaic acid (until my skin barrier returns to “normal”) and move on to the third step of my skincare routine. Which looks like; cleanse-moisturize-protect.
I do not use a toner in my skincare routines because they are unnecessary. Eye cream/under-eye products are also some of the products I do not buy. I use my face serums or gels (Azelaic Acid or Tretinoin) in small amounts as my eye cream. Sometimes, I use only Vaseline as my eye cream.
SUMMARY
This simple, minimalistic, budget-friendly, and “scientific” skincare routine works for me and makes me happy. Skincare is one of the ways I practise self-care, an activity that gives me a sense of calmness. Everyone’s skin is different; what works for me may not work for you. So, tailor your skincare routine to target your skincare routine concerns.
Thank you for reading!
