6 Affordable Beauty Upgrades for Healthy Skin

The quest for healthy skin is never-ending. You may have outgrown your go-to routine or are tackling new concerns, such as adult acne and fine lines. Maybe the skincare secrets you find on social media fall short of their lofty promises (it happens to the best of us!). Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: your beauty rituals could use an upgrade.

The good news is you don’t need a hefty budget to keep your skin healthy. Below is a curated list of ways to improve your complexion without draining your bank account.

Celebrities and dermatologists swear by the positive effects of washing their faces twice. Hailey Bieber credits this Korean beauty practice for clearing her skin of maskne, while Olivia Wilde does it to take off her red-carpet-glam makeup in a flash. So, what’s stopping you from double cleansing?

Start off by dissolving your makeup, sunscreen, and impurities on your skin with an oil-based cleanser that can melt away even the most stubborn makeup (ahem, waterproof mascara) while moisturizing your skin. Then, follow up with a gel or foaming cleanser, such as POND'S Aloe Vera Jelly Cleanser, to remove any remaining debris.

If you have acne-prone skin, use Eskinol Pimple Relief Micellar Water as the first step instead. It’s infused with salicylic acid, cica, and green tea extracts that gently unclog the pores and help soothe pimples.

If done properly, exfoliation is one trick to getting healthy skin. It promotes a youthful appearance by shedding those tired, old skin cells and stimulating cell turnover. However, there are several dos and don’ts to observe.

First and foremost, stick to a schedule that suits your skin needs. Once or twice a week is the rule of thumb, though you might want to exfoliate less frequently if you have sensitive skin. The exfoliating agent you use is equally important. Be careful when choosing scrubs as some can be too abrasive. Alternatively, chemical exfoliants such as AHA, BHA, and PHA can be a gentler option that targets several skin issues at once.

Of all the “holy grail” skincare ingredients, retinol is undoubtedly the most well-loved. While prescription-strength retinoids can be pricey, over-the-counter retinol products offer similar benefits. This vitamin A derivative is lauded for its ability to boost collagen, improve skin texture, and minimize the appearance of wrinkles. If that’s not impressive enough, it can slow down melanin production, which means it’s a great ally in your battle against dark spots and uneven skin tone.

It doesn’t take much to have an ah-mazing weekend and healthy skin. One of the most inexpensive and indulgent ways to treat yourself to some TLC is by applying a facial mask. This quick pick-me-up delivers a concentrated dose of potent ingredients that can offer visible results after one use. For example, a hydrating sheet mask leaves your skin plump and dewy, whereas a clay mask helps calm redness. Take your pick and enjoy your relaxing self-care moment.

The key to healthy skin might be at your fingertips, quite literally. Gently kneading your facial muscles with your fingers can alleviate tension and help your skincare products to be absorbed better.

You can also do it using a gua sha to take your DIY massage to the next level. It’s both a tool and a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) technique that has been practiced for centuries to encourage better blood circulation and clear the lymphatic drainage system. When used in combination with face oils or serums, gua sha may help reduce puffiness and brighten the skin.

The O2 facial is a favorite among Hollywood stars like Jennifer Lopez and Emma Stone. This treatment involves a machine that sprays high-pressure cold air infused with oxygen, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants onto your skin. The result? A positively radiant, soft, and healthy skin.

The procedure only takes 30 minutes to an hour and the effects last about a week. And unlike most cosmetic treatments, it’s pretty affordable. One session typically costs around P1,100 to P5,000, sometimes more, depending on your location and specific clinic.

These tips prove that healthy skin doesn’t have to come with an astronomical price tag. It’s all about taking the time to understand your skin’s unique needs and utilizing the right ingredients. Now you can allocate more money for your hobbies and other passions!