THOUGH you might be doing your best to take care of your skin, sometimes it can feel like you have to spend an arm and a leg on anti-ageing products.
But a dermatologist has sought to convince TikTok users otherwise.
Dr Shereene Idriss said you can find your entire anti-ageing skin routine in your pharmacy
In a recent video uploaded to the app, dermatologist Shereene Idriss said you can keep your skin glowing and plump on a budget – and source or your products cheaply in a pharmacy near you.
“I’m nearly 40 years old and I’m a board-certified dermatologist,” Dr Idriss said on TikTok.
“And you do not need to spend a million dollars on an anti-ageing skincare routine.”
Dr Idriss went through all the products you need in your anti-ageing skin routine, where you should cut corners to save money and the two products it’s worth splurging just a little on.
1. Cleanser
The dermatologist kicked off her video talking about cleanser.
“In the morning, you can skip it and wash your face with water,” Dr Idriss said – perfect if you’re noticing you’ve been using yours up way too fast.
For nighttime, the dermatologist suggested you go for the Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser.
In the US it retails for about nine dollars, but this product is a bit more expensive to buy in the UK and a little harder to find – you can get it on iHerb for about £11.47.
You could also go for the dermatologist-recommended CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid, which you can find at Superdrug for £11.49.
Another more affordable option is the Simple Kind to Skin Moisturising Facial Wash – £2.29 at Superdrug.
2. Micellar water
Cleansers won’t always be the most effective at removing your makeup all in one go at the end of the day, Dr Idriss said.
So she suggested following it up with Bioderma’s micellar water.
You can nab a 250ml bottle of the Bioderma Sensibio Cleansing Micellar Water Sensitive Skin for £8.80 at Boots.
Or Garnier’s Micellar Water Sensitive Skin will cost you just £2.97 at Superdrug – that’s a 400ml bottle.
3. Exfolliants
“I love alpha-hydroxy acids, also known as AHAs, especially glycolic acid because it helps cell turnover and it has anti-ageing benefits” Dr Idriss went on.
“I do this at night a few times a week,” she said.
The dermatologist recommended the The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner, which you can grab at Sephora UK for £8.95 or Boots for £11.95.
4. Serums
If there’s one product you’re able to splurge a little on, the place to do that is vitamin C and retinol serums, Dr Idriss said.
She said vitamin C is important to wear in the morning, recommending the Vanicream Vitamin C Serum.
This is a little trickier to find in the UK, but why not go for Garnier 3.5% Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Brightening & Anti Dark Spot Serum, just £8.66 at Boots.
You could also opt for The INKEY List Vitamin C Serum for £9.99 or the Nip+Fab Vitamin C Serum for £14.96.
As for retinol, Dr Idriss suggested using one at night and starting off with a gentler one twice a week and gradually adding to that.
Her preferred pharmacy one is the e.l.f. SKIN Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum, which you can find at Boots and Sephora UK for £22.
You could also opt for the Neutrogena Retinol Boost Serum 30ml for £12.24 or the The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% in Squalane 30ml for £6.90.
Dr Idriss said there’s no need to get a separate retinol eye cream – instead she suggested placing some Vaseline under yours eyes to ‘buffer’ your skin before popping your retinol serum on top.
5. Moisturiser
Finally, Dr Idriss recommended you get your hands on La Roche Posay Toleraine Double Repair Facial Moisturizer With SPF – £20 on Boots.
The price tag on this might seem a little heftier, but Dr Idriss said this product can serve two functions.
It “doubles as a moisturiser and SPF because it’s loaded with ceramides and you get SPF30 protection”, according to the dermatologist.