Are you struggling to find affordable skincare for dry skin?
Dealing with dry skin can feel like such a hassle. Especially when you’re not sure if you’re using the right products.
If you’re tired of trying tons of products only for your skin to absorb it all and leave you still feeling dry, this blog post is for you.
In this blog post, I will be sharing affordable skin care products for dry skin that have worked for me. We will also talk about the correct order you should be applying your skincare so you can wash your face with confidence.
What Causes Dry Skin?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, dry skin can come from a number of different factors such as low outdoor temperatures, vitamin deficiency, skin conditions, and more.
Personally, I’ve dealt with seasonal eczema my whole life. Every year when the weather would change from spring to summer eczema would take over my entire face. And when the flare-up was over I was left with very dry textured skin.
Definitely not how I wanted to start my summers. Over the years my flare-ups have naturally gotten better but I still have very dry skin to deal with.
Here are some affordable dry skin products I’ve used that actually left my skin feeling moisturized. (And some even through the next morning!)
Affordable Skincare Routine (In Order)
Step 1: Cleanser
Using a cleanser is the first step in any skincare routine. Cleansing will remove dirt, bacteria, oils, makeup, sunscreen, and anything else that was naturally picked up throughout your day.
When you don’t cleanse your face regularly this is what leads to breakouts and some inflammation.
Using a cleanser will ensure that all the products in the rest of your routine can absorb properly into the skin.
Should You Double Cleanse?
Double cleansing is when you cleanse your skin twice. You would first use an oil-based cleanser and then follow up with a water-based cleanser.
Double cleansing is an optional step. Oil-based cleansers help to break up oils found in makeup or any waterproof products you may have used.
Double cleansing would typically be used during your nighttime cleanse.
If you’re someone who wears makeup every day this may be a great addition to your skincare routine. It’s a lot gentler on the skin to double cleanse than trying to scrub away makeup with a makeup wipe.
On the days that I am wearing makeup, I use The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser. I absolutely love this cleaner for removing my makeup. It melts the makeup away so easily I never feel like I need to use any extra products to get all the makeup off.
On days that I don’t wear makeup, I use Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser. Cerva took some getting used to because the formula felt like lotion, but it definitely left my face feeling soft.
Step 2: Toner
Toner is that one product that everyone says they need but no one is sure why.
Apparently, toner was originally created to help balance the skin’s PH levels caused by using harsh soaps. In today’s world cleanses have been formulated enough to where this is no longer a huge issue.
In short, a toner should deliver something to your skin that your other routine steps do not.
Here are some examples given in the video below by a dermatologist:
- To exfoliate lightly
- Antioxidants (that are not already in your serums)
- Delivering peptides
I recently switched from The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution to the Cerve Hydrating Toner. I’ve been guilty of picking up skincare products without fully understanding what’s in them as I’m sure we all have.
Glycolic acid is best for oily, acne-prone skin, which is the opposite of what we are battling.
The CeraVe Hydrating Toner is alcohol-free and contains hyaluronic acid.
Here are some ingredients you can look for when searching for hydrating toners:
- Hyaluronic Acid – helps revive the skin’s moisture levels
- Glycerin – draws moisture into the skin
- Ceramides – help retain moisture
- Aloe Vera – helps with hydration and has anti-inflammatory properties
- Squalane – prevents moisture from leaving
To wrap this up, toner can be optional if you are already using the ingredients in other products. This brings us to serums.
Step 3: Serum
Serums contain strong ingredients that are concentrated with specific ingredients to help target problem areas within the skin. (Wrinkles, dry skin, acne, dark spots, etc.)
If you choose not to use a toner in your skincare this is when you would use serums like hyaluronic acid or squalane to help retain moisture into the skin.
Before switching to the CeraVe Toner, I was using The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum during this step. The trick with applying hyaluronic acid is to not dry your face. You want to apply a couple of drops onto damp skin and gently massage it into your skin.
Then, wait a few minutes for it to absorb and move on to the next step.
Step 4: Eye Cream
Eye cream is not only used for puffiness and dark circles but also to simply hydrate the undereye. When using eye creams you must be very gentle because the eyes have some of the thinnest layers of skin on the face.
Dryness under my eyes is the most noticeable when applying makeup. After setting my concealer with powder I start to see the dryness and cracks,
Once I added this step into my routine I definitely noticed a difference in how the makeup lays a lot smoother.
Here are some eye cream options for under 10$:
- Good Molecules: Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel
- CeraVe Skin Renewing Eye Cream
- Elf Holy Hydattion Illumination Eye Cream
Step 5: Moisturizer
This is one of the most important steps that we absolutely cannot skip.
Look for moisturizers you want ingredients that will add moisture, soften the skin, and prevent water from leaving the skin.
Here are some ingredients to look for in your moisturizer:
- Ingredients that will pull water into the skin from a deeper level are glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and lactic acid.
- Ingredients that will smoothen the skin’s appearance are squalane, shea butter, and any plant oil.
- Ingredients that will protect the skin are petrolatums, waxes, and silicones.
Right now I currently use The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors Moisturizer. On the days that I feel I need a bit more moisture, I will top it which Aphaphore. I love how it leaves my skin moisturized for hours.
That’s the ultimate goal for me when buying a moisturizer.
Another product I’ve used in the past and absolutely loved was the Neutrogena Hydro Night Cream. I would apply this during my PM skin routine and wake up to super soft skin. I was honestly impressed.
Step 6: Sunscreen
And lastly, sunscreen! For the majority of my life, I did not wear sunscreen. Simply because I believed the myth that: people with darker skin don’t need sunscreen. This is false!
Here are some benefits of using sunscreen:
- Protects you from harmful UV rays
- Prevents premature aging & wrinkles
- Prevents you from unwanted sunburn
- Lowers your risk of skin cancer
If those reasons did not convince you to wear sunscreen. Here’s one that made me run to the nearest Target. – If you also struggle with hyperpigmentation, like me, leaving your skin exposed to the sun will only make those annoying dark spots darker.
As someone who’s probably bought sunscreen once in their life. I did my research and went with Black Girl Moisturising Sunscreen.
This sunscreen has Jahibab Oil, Avocado oil, cocoa seed oil, and more. The texture is similar to baby oil gel, and it does not leave a white cast.
Hope this helps you achieve your skincare goals!
