The Cheapest Skin Care Tools for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin: A Budget-Friendly Guide

Let’s be upfront – I’m not a dermatologist or a beauty expert, so manage expectations. I’m just sharing my experience with budget-friendly skin care products for oily, acne-prone skin that I’ve used effectively over the past few months. If you’re looking for affordable solutions to manage oily skin and breakouts, keep reading.

Please note: Skincare routines are personal. What worked for me might not work for everyone. Always patch test new products.

All the products mentioned here are designed to be easy on your wallet. Effective skincare doesn’t have to break the bank! Let’s dive in and explore some of the Cheapest Skin Care Tools you can incorporate into your routine.

A Little Background

As I mentioned, I’m not a skincare professional. I started my skincare journey in December 2017. My skin type is oily, and I’m prone to occasional acne, especially around certain times of the month.

Understanding Your Skin Type

If you’re unsure about your skin type, you can find helpful guides online to determine if you have oily, dry, combination, or sensitive skin. Knowing your skin type is the first step to choosing the right skincare tools.

I hadn’t been wearing makeup regularly for a long time and didn’t prioritize skincare. However, as I planned to incorporate makeup back into my routine, I realized the importance of a healthy canvas. My main goal with starting a skincare routine was to control oil production and address hyperpigmentation. Clearing up acne spots was a secondary, but welcome, benefit.

As a beginner, I turned to the internet for guidance. The amount of information was overwhelming, but I focused on the most common and practical advice for a simple, budget-conscious routine.

My Simple Skin Care Steps:

Cleanse (Morning and Night)
Tone (Morning and Night)
Moisturize (Morning and Night)
Exfoliate (Night, a few times a week)
Mask (Night, once or twice a week)

While some skincare routines include serums, sunscreen, and eye creams, I focused on finding affordable options for these core steps to keep it budget-friendly.

CLEANSE – Cleansing is the foundation of any skincare routine. I use a two-step cleansing process, employing different products for each step.

First, I remove light makeup (like powder and eyeliner) and surface dirt with face wipes. I’ve been using Tea Tree Facial wipes, purchased from a local store. These wipes are a steal and leave a refreshing, minty sensation on the skin.

When starting out, I aimed for budget-friendly and, ideally, gentle products. While wipes might contain preservatives, I felt these were a reasonably safe and effective initial cleansing tool.

I also picked up 3 in 1 facial wipes by Osiris Avisé from the same store. While they have different intended purposes, I use them similarly to remove initial dirt and makeup.

Next, for a deeper cleanse, I use Dudu Osun (African Black Soap) to wash my face and remove any remaining impurities. This black soap is incredibly affordable and widely available.

To use it, I lather the soap on clean hands and gently massage the lather onto my face in circular motions. It’s important not to rub the bar directly on your face, as it can be harsh. Liquefying the soap slightly can make it gentler.

Alternatively, I use Tea Tree Facial Scrub instead of black soap when I want a gentle exfoliating cleanse. This scrub, from the same line as the wipes, also offers a budget-friendly cleansing option.

While this scrub contains some ingredients that might raise concerns for those seeking purely natural products, based on my research, they are considered low hazards. The scrub has a light texture and contains fine grains, providing both cleansing and gentle exfoliation. The tea tree scent is mild and refreshing, making it suitable even for slightly sensitive skin.

EXFOLIATE – After cleansing, exfoliation is key to removing dead skin cells. Experts recommend exfoliating a couple of times a week, ideally in your nighttime routine.

For exfoliation, I rely on two very affordable and readily available kitchen staples: Baking Soda and Coconut Oil.

Baking Soda (bicarbonate of soda, not baking powder) and Coconut Oil are incredibly cheap and can be found in most grocery stores.

To use them, I mix baking soda and coconut oil to create a paste. I gently massage this paste onto my face and neck in circular motions and leave it on for about 10-15 minutes before rinsing with warm water. Always pat your face dry with a clean face towel (separate from your body towel) before moving on to the next step.

TONING – Toning is a step often skipped, but it’s considered important by skincare experts. Why? Toning helps to balance your skin’s pH after cleansing and exfoliation, removes any lingering dirt, and replenishes moisture.

For toning, I’ve been experimenting with three different affordable options.

Glycerin and Rose Water Toner – During my research, glycerin and rose water consistently appeared as top toner recommendations. I found a Vaseline Glycerin and Rose Water product at a local store and decided to try it.

This toner has a liquid consistency and a mild scent. However, it does contain Isopropyl Alcohol and Methylparaben, ingredients that some consider potentially harmful to the skin. Because of these ingredients, I likely won’t repurchase it. While my skin tone has improved and appears brighter, I can’t definitively attribute it to this product alone, as I use other toners as well.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) was another highly recommended natural toner. I already had some at home, making it a free option for me initially. ACV is quite affordable, depending on the brand and size.

I use Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar, a popular brand, especially when dealing with period-related acne, as it seems to work quickly for breakouts. It’s crucial to dilute ACV (1 part ACV to 1 part water) with clean water because it is acidic. ACV has a strong, pungent smell, which might be off-putting to some. Some people add essential oils to mask the scent.

The third toner I recently started using is Miniso Hyaluronic Acid Essence Toner, purchased from a Miniso store. This toner is a larger bottle and feels like a good value for the price.

I learned about this toner from another affordable skincare blog post. After researching the benefits of hyaluronic acid, I decided to try it out.

This toner has a long ingredient list, but after reviewing most of them, they appear to be considered safe for skin.

The Hyaluronic acid toner has a slightly gel-like consistency, which I like. It glides smoothly on the skin, and a little product goes a long way. As I’m still relatively new to using it, I’m observing its long-term effects, but so far, I plan to continue using it.

All the toners mentioned are applied using a cotton ball or pad, gently swiping in circular motions to ensure absorption.

MASK – Face masks might seem like an extra step, but I find them beneficial. They help hydrate the skin, absorb excess oil, minimize the appearance of pores, and draw out impurities.

Masks are typically used once or twice a week. The internet offers countless mask options, but I narrowed it down to two budget-friendly choices.

Beauty Formulas Clay Mask – Based on the positive reviews of bentonite clay and charcoal masks, I chose the Beauty Formulas Clay Mask as it was affordable and had good reviews.

This mask is easy to use, following the directions on the packaging. However, it contains parabens and other ingredients that are preservatives. While I will finish the tube, I might not repurchase it due to the paraben content.

The second mask I use is a more natural, DIY option that I plan to stick with. Inspired by the online buzz around turmeric and honey for skincare, and after seeing a simple DIY recipe, I decided to try it.

DIY Turmeric and Honey Mask

Upsides:

Natural ingredients
Easily sourced from grocery stores
Very affordable
Simple to prepare and use
Effective with consistent use

Turmeric powder and pure honey are readily available and inexpensive. To use, simply mix turmeric and honey, apply to the face and neck for 10-15 minutes, and rinse with warm water.

Downsides: Turmeric is a strong spice and can stain fabric and towels yellow, so be careful during application and rinsing. The honey and turmeric mixture can also be a bit sticky, requiring patience after application. However, the results are worth the minor inconveniences.

MOISTURIZE – The final, crucial step is moisturizing. After cleansing, toning, exfoliating, and masking, your skin needs hydration. Moisturizing also helps to lock in the benefits of the previous steps.

For moisturizer, I use Oriflame Pure Skin Mattifying Face Lotion. This moisturizer was recommended and is available online or through Oriflame distributors.

This lotion contains Salicylic acid, which is beneficial for oily, acne-prone skin. It also claims to reduce shine, which aligns perfectly with my skincare goals.

While seemingly a bit pricey for a smaller tube, a little goes a long way. I’ve been using the same tube for several months, demonstrating its longevity. This Oriflame moisturizer was recommended to me as an alternative to shea butter and coconut oil, which I found didn’t work well for my oily skin.

While this product contains Alcohol Denat, a type of alcohol that can be drying, the other beneficial ingredients make it worth using for me until I find an even better option.

My Skincare Routine Verdict After 3 Months

Has this budget routine been effective? Here are my observations after three months:

Improved skin tone
Reduced shine throughout the day
Acne scars and whiteheads are still present
Hyperpigmentation is fading but not completely gone
Skin feels softer and smoother

Editor’s Extra Notes

Remember, consistency is key to any effective skincare routine. This is just one example of an affordable routine, and many other great budget-friendly products are available.

I’m personally considering trying Thayers Witch Hazel Toner, Deciem’s The Ordinary products, Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Moisturizer, and exploring more organic Nigerian brands in the future as budget allows. For now, these are my go-to products.

Beyond Products: Holistic Skincare

What’s the point of even the cheapest skincare routine if you neglect overall health? Remember to eat a balanced diet, drink enough water, and avoid touching your face unnecessarily.

I hope you found this post helpful and inspiring!

Now, I’d love to hear from you!

Do you have a skincare routine? What’s your skin type, and what steps do you follow?