Affordable Skincare Products I Discovered in 2020 and How I Use Them In A Routine for Acne-Prone, Oily Skin
My skincare routine is forever evolving. Depending on the season and how my skin is feeling I will switch products in and out.
After popping my second baby my skin has returned more or less to its normal state which is acne-prone and oily. It’s not dry and dehydrated anymore like it was when I was pregnant.
As newly minted mom of two who doesn’t sleep much, I now have different skincare concerns:
- Dullness
- Acne breakouts due to lack of sleep and general daily stress
- Scarring from the breakouts
I discovered some new affordable skincare products in the past few months that target my current skin concerns and wanted to share how I’m using them in my skincare routines. I’m extra pleased with my discoveries because I think they’re good quality products that actually work at reasonable price points. (Note: Prices may vary depending on the retailer / seller)
Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner
Size: 200ml / 30ml
Price: Approx. 640 Baht / 150 Baht
Available on Shopee
Designed by the Pyunkang Oriental Medicine Clinic in Korea (an institution known for treating skin issues), the Pyunkang Yul brand focuses heavily on creating products with only the essential ingredients that contribute to the health of the skin, like any other organ in the body. Healthy skin is balanced skin, which means it is able to retain moisture and regulate oil production. And the Pyunkang Yul products are designed with this philosophy in mind. The ingredients in the products are extremely gentle; fragrance-free, safe for sensitive skin; and pregnancy-safe.
The Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner is a hydrating toner with a slightly viscous essence-like consistency — hence the name. I like that with one product I can knock out two skincare steps — toner and essence — while also giving my skin the extra TLC it needs with my current skincare concerns. This product is very interesting because it only has 7 ingredients and the main one being milk vetch root (Astragalus Membranaceus Root) extract, which makes up 91.3% of the total product. Milk vetch root extract is a natural antioxidant and also known to be very hydrating, nutrient-rich and anti-inflammatory, making it ideal to add daily hydration and protection to the skin barrier.
After cleansing, I’ll take about two pumps from the bottle (which is a pretty generous amount) and gently pat and press this all over my face and neck. The Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner is super gentle so I use it day and night, and my skin feels hydrated and supple all day.
Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Drop
Size: 35ml
Price: Approx. 620 Baht
Available on Lazada
The Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Drop serum is a cult favourite from Korean beauty brand Klairs Cosmetics. It’s a vitamin C serum at a 5% concentration, which means it is gentle enough for anyone with sensitive skin to use and also effective enough to brighten skin, fade hyperpigmentation and even out skin tone. It also contains centella asiatica extract, which is known for its calming, soothing and moisturising effects for the skin.
One of my main skincare concerns right now is dullness and I think this serum does a good job of brightening the skin. I like that it is an affordable and effective vitamin C serum — you don’t have to break the bank to get high quality skincare products. I also think it’s a great starter serum if you’re new to vitamin C serums because it is so gentle.
After cleansing and applying toner / essence and before applying moisturiser and SPF, I take about half a dropper of the serum and pat it into my skin. A few things to note about the formula of the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Drop serum when applied to the face: it does feel slightly tacky and there is a noticeable warm, very slight tingly sensation due to the l’ascorbic acid that lasts a few seconds before it absorbs into the skin — it’s nothing to worry about. Always, always remember to wear SPF when using any Vitamin C serum.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Size: 30ml
Price: Approx. 300 Baht
Available on Lazada
After doing a lot of research on skincare ingredients, I discovered niacinamide is one of those ingredients that is suitable for all skin types and provides a lot of benefits for the skin: reduces inflammation and redness from conditions such as acne and eczema; helps skin retain moisture; minimizes enlarged pores; softens fine lines and improves skin texture.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum is a very popular, fragrance-free and affordable skincare product and I now see why it is so loved by many. It is a great all-around serum and can be used day or night. I prefer to use it at night just because I have more time at that time to do more steps. After using this serum for over a month I can see a visible improvement: my face always feels soft and hydrated and the texture is bouncy and smooth. I like that it’s simple, straightforward and effective.
After cleansing and applying toner / essence, I will take about half a dropper of The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum and pat it into my face and neck before applying any heavier serums or creams.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Size: 16oz/454g
Price: Approx. 690 Baht
Available on Lazada / Shopee
The CeraVe brand is developed by dermatologists and so the products are thoughtfully formulated to help target specific skin concerns. The CeraVe Moisturising Cream is specifically designed for dry/very dry skin and to help protect the skin barrier from the effects of itching / dryness from skin conditions like eczema with hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Hyaluronic acid is a great hydrating ingredient and helps the skin retain moisture while ceramics are essential for healthy skin because they help restore and protect the skin barrier.
I had very dry skin during my pregnancy and started using this cream to help keep my skin extra hydrated. What I was pleasantly surprised by was the fact that it also works on my normal skin type, which is combination / oily. The formula of the cream has a rich, whipped-like consistency and feels very moisturising on the skin. It does not feel sticky or greasy at all and absorbs after a few seconds.
I like this cream a lot because it is very effective and functional and comes in a huge tub, which means I can comfortably use it day and night on my face and body after using cleanser and applying my serums. My skin feels extremely hydrated and well-protected. It is also non-comedogenic, oil-free, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and suitable for sensitive skin. Just as a point of reference I usually use the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream moisturiser (also designed for dry and sensitive skin) and the CeraVe Moisturising Cream is a perfect affordable dupe for it.
Anessa Essence UV Sunscreen Mild Milk (For Sensitive Skin) SPF 35 PA+++
Size: 20ml
Price: Approx. 730 Baht
Available on Lazada
Finding a good and effective daily sunscreen for my skin type and concerns is not easy. I have oily and acne-prone skin, which means many sunscreens (especially mineral/physical ones) tend to clog my pores and cause breakouts. I also have a medium brown skin tone, which means a lot of physical sunscreens give off a very unflattering white cast that sometimes won’t absorb into the skin.
After a lot of research I discovered the Anessa Essence UV Sunscreen Mild Milk (For Sensitive Skin) SPF 35 PA+++, which is a sunscreen especially designed for sensitive skin and claims to be suitable and gentle enough for babies over the age of 1.
Designed with a skincare philosophy, the Anessa Essence UV Sunscreen Mild Milk (For Sensitive Skin) SPF 35 PA+++ is supposed to feel like a light hydrating milky serum / essence when applied to the skin. It is very moisturising but doesn’t feel greasy at all. I also really like this sunscreen because it doesn’t cause breakouts or a white cast and it wears amazingly under makeup. Win-win!
