I’m a GP – here are the cheap skincare swaps BETTER than expensive brands
THE overly saturated skincare market can be difficult to navigate.
Skin products can range hugely in price: from a couple of quid right through to the several hundreds.
And it’s hard to know if spending more money will actually equal better results.
GP and skincare expert Dr Ahmed El Muntasar has shared his favourite cheap skincare swaps which he believes are as good – if not better – than expensive brands.
“It’s not about whether the product is cheap, or expensive,” Dr Ahmed, tells The Sun, “It’s about making sure the stuff you do buy is good quality medical grade stuff”.
“Medical grade skincare will actually gets absorbed into your skin rather than sits on the surface,” he adds.
1. Medik8 retinol – £32
Retinol is the new buzzword in anti-ageing skincare.
The best retinol creams and serums have been clinically proven to reduce ageing dark spots, wrinkles and improve uneven skin tone -but many come at a hefty price.
“One of the more affordable medical grade skincare brands is Medik8,” explains the GP.
Acknowledging the product is still a bit on the pricey side he assured us was worth the extra dollar. “I think their retinol is fantastic,” he said.
3. CeraVe hydrating cleansers
CeraVe is a dermatologist-approved favourite in the skincare world.
The Hydrating Cleanser is a no-nonsense affordable must-have made for providing a moisturising cleanse with three essential ceramics and hyaluronic acid.
Dr Ahmed has even given it his stamp of approval – as one of the best cleansers on the market.
4. Inkey List moisturiser £7.99
The Inkey List Vitamin B C And E moisturiser is a bit of a cult favourite.
The combination of ingredients make it a very effective one-step product, the doctor tells The Sun.
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) helps control excess oil and redness; Vitamin C brightens dull skin and increases radiance; and Vitamin E soothes redness and helps calm the skin.
5. Bondi Sands SPF £6.99
Experts have been banging on about the benefits of SPF for quite some time.
Ultimately, it’s now considered to be the best way to prevent the signs of aging – as well as skin cancer.
You should be applying sun cream every day, according to dermatologists – even if it’s cloudy or overcast outside.
Aside from protecting our faces from the sun’s harmful UV rays, the product can also act as a barrier against the blue light on our screens.
Bondi Sands in a Australian brand – and who better to trust when it comes to the sun than Aussies!
“It’s a great product,” according to expert.
The broad spectrum cream protects you from UVA and UVB rays, which are associated with skin cancer and skin burning, respectively.