Does cheap skincare ACTUALLY work? That’s the million-dollar question we’re tackling today, and the answer might surprise you. The truth is, when it comes to skincare, your skin doesn’t care about price tags and fancy packaging—it cares about the formulation.
In this article, we asked a few people about their experience with affordable skincare products and here’s what they have to say:
Zainab, 22
I began my skincare journey when I was still a student in ABU Zaria in 2022. I started with a simple routine that totaled 15,000 Naira. My skin became more radiant and I totally loved it.
As a skincare lover, I wanted more. I wanted to get rid of my hyperpigmentation, and wanted the smoothest skin I see on the internet. Besides, the sun in Zaria was no jokes so I had to double up on sun protection. I got a cleanser more expensive than any study material I’ve ever gotten in school. The pricier the better right? Like that wasn’t enough, I added a toner, vitamin c serum, and a big girl sunscreen lol. Wallahi, things took a different turn from my expectation. My skin broke out badly.
Soon after, I ditched all the new products and went back to my regular products and my break outs stopped. I’ve since learned that what’s important is that my routine works for me regardless of the price.
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TIAM Pore Minimizing 21 Serum
$12.39$11.77
Ariel, 21
I have come to realize; when my routine is very simple—cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen—I have the best skin! Not only do I have the best looking skin with a basic routine, the products are as well very affordable.
I’ve stuck to this for a very long time until my relocation from Ghana to Canada. I came across this brightening serum of about a $100 and added it to my routine. All was well for like a few days until I started having some allergic reactions. Then it got so bad I had to go see a dermatologist. Naturally, I blamed everything else but the serum. I was told to discontinue the product and milder products were recommended. I also did not have to break the bank.
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Haay Relief Body Wash
$6.63 -
TIAM Snail & Azulene Low pH Cleanser
$10.61$10.08
Lola, 29
I have battled with hormonal imbalance since my teenage years. It gets so overwhelming and I wanted to buy every product that combated it. I’ve spent a lot of money on products that I had high hopes for. I even tried out an organic skincare set that cost me a lot but it only made my breakouts worse! My acne wasn’t drying out at all. I must say, it was very exhausting and disappointing that it started to take a toll on my mental health too.
I took a frustrating pause, then a friend introduced me to My Lab Africa. I got a personalized consultation and an affordable curated skincare set to aid my condition. I also learnt to be intentional about my diet and the Ginseng tea is currently one of my favorite things!
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Sioris A Calming Day Ampoule
$12.65 -
Sioris My First Essener
$15.30 -
TIAM Pore Minimizing 21 Serum
$12.39$11.77
Takeaway
There’s something for everyone in the skincare market. Be it super affordable or a fortune, finding the holy grail elevates your journey. Looking for an affordable skincare routine? Get started HERE!
