Have you ever stood in the aisle of a cosmetics store, gazing longingly at that jar of high-end moisturizer, only to glance at the price tag and feel a pang of sticker shock? I remember the day when I reached for a serum, one I had been “hunting” for years, only to find that its cost had soared to the equivalent of a small luxury vacation. It was a wake-up call that left me wondering if achieving radiant skin had to come at the cost of my bank account.
Skincare doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, with just 30 euros or 120 AED (because now we live in the UAE), you can transform your skincare routine into something both budget-friendly and genuinely effective.
Why 30 euros? 💸 Because where I come from, we get paid in EUR; and if you save 1 euro per day, at the end of the month, you will have 30 euros to buy yourself a cult skincare product that has the potential to transform your skin, your routine and change your life forever. It happened to me and could happen to you.
The concept of a skincare routine is as trendy as it is bewildering. When attempting to define this concept, we often find our minds cluttered with questions and doubts. What exactly is this skincare routine everyone is raving about? Is it an extravagance reserved for the well-heeled? How do I deal with this puzzle of what products to choose and how to use them? What if I make a misstep and harm my skin? And let’s remember the ever-looming concern: Do I have the time and energy for this? Is a skincare routine a tad too fancy for my liking?
To keep it simple, you would only need a cleanser (a good water-based gel or foam cleanser should have you covered for makeup removal every evening and also to clean your face in the morning), a moisturizer cream (a good cream targeting your skin type and concerns to keep your skin moisturized during the day and protect it from external factors), a sun protection cream (you can have a good moisturizer with high SPF, an all-in-one cream, especially during summer days). So, you shouldn’t stress too much. Theoretically.
🤒 This is what typically happens:
✅After the water-based cleanser, there will always come an oil-based cleanser because the brand you are using is releasing a new cleanser, or the stocks are out, or your friend is telling you to “try that oil-based cleanser, you need it, trust me,” or just because.
✅Then, accidentally, a serum ends up on your face, and you love it and must have it.
✅Then you go to work and see that woman spraying something on her face every hour. Then you mind your business in the airplane when suddenly it rains with so good-smelling tiny drops coming from the passenger in front of you.
✅Then a brand comes “out and proud” to say they want to save the environment, have a new vegan formula, or just say something cool and science you barely understand, so you need to change your moisturizer cream.
✅Then you find out about Retinol, vitamins, and more serums and face masks and patches of all kinds, and next thing you know, you end up with 11 products (cleansers, serums, face masks, day and night creams, treatments, mists, etc.) and brands and you can’t believe you know exactly what they do and when you should use them.
Once engaged in this “I want to try this” and earning awareness of your skincare routine and its life-changing effects on your skin, you will simply want to try more, and you will love it.
Ending up with 11 or more products in your skincare routine does not mean it should be expensive. 💰
A skincare routine should be conscious
What does conscious mean? 🫶🏻🙏🏻 It means being aware of your surroundings, thoughts, feelings, sensations, or actions. It refers to a state of being mentally or emotionally alert and responsive to the world around you. It can also denote a state of deliberate awareness, such as making a conscious effort to be more environmentally friendly or a conscious decision to choose a particular brand after careful consideration.
How can my skincare routine be conscious?
If you are mindful of several key aspects, a conscious skincare routine is about making informed choices that prioritize personal health, environmental sustainability, and ethical considerations. 💁♀️
So, what several 🌟 key aspects?
Well, these come to my mind together with some of the products I have tried, and under 30 euros or 120 AED:
Mindfulness
A conscious skincare routine involves taking the time to care for oneself and appreciating the process of self-care rather than rushing through it as a chore. I wrote about how The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser made me realize the state of a hurry I was in and introduced a sort of awareness of the present moment while massaging my face to clean it.
🤍The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, 150ml – 20,60 EUR if you buy directly from their website; almost 86 AED. Suppose you purchase it from sephora.ae, 50ml is 40 AED (150ml was not available online when I wrote this post). Amazon.ae has the 150ml available at 96.34 AED.
Sustainability
Conscious skincare routines consider the environmental impact of the products and packaging involved. This means choosing products with eco-friendly packaging, supporting brands with sustainable sourcing and production practices, and reducing overall waste by opting for reusable or refillable containers.♻️
You can always check with provenance.org/Directory for more information about the brand you like.
earth.org also provides a list of the best sustainable skincare brands in 2023.
Looking for an excellent, refreshing scrub cleanser:
🤍Origins GinZing – Refreshing Scrub Cleanser might be a sustainable option; 150ml will cost you 106 AED at Sephora.
🤍The Body Shop is always present in my face and body beauty routine, and in our budget of 120 AED, you can easily introduce to your skincare routine The Body Shop Tea Tree Anti-imperfection Night Mask, 75ml, 92 AED.
🤍REN Skincare Brightening Dark Circle https://routine11.me/2023/10/19/ren-skincare-eye-cream/Eye Cream 5ml, 22 USD, about 81 AED, ordered from their website.
Clean ingredients
Conscious skincare routines prioritize products with clean and natural ingredients, avoiding harmful chemicals and toxins that damage the skin and the environment. This involves reading product labels and investigating the ingredients to make informed choices.
I also shared a little list of ingredients I avoid.
There are a lot of cult beauty (especially) independent brands out there that deliver products with clean ingredients and outstanding results. 🌍💚 Some suggestions:
🤍Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Toner, 40ml, on the brand’s website is 15 USD, about 56 AED; in the UAE, in stores and online, all Glow Recipe Watermelon range is running out of stock fast.
🤍Supergoop Glow Stick SPF 50, 20g, 26 USD, almost 96 AED; you must order it directly from the brand’s website.
🤍Byoma Moisturizing Gel Cream, 50ml, is 13,99 USD, around 52 AED.
🤍To mention here is the Algenist Genius Liquid Collagen Lip, which is 29 USD (107 AED) on their website – an amazing product!
Cruelty-Free
Conscious skincare routines opt for cruelty-free products, meaning these products have not been tested on animals. Many conscious consumers, myself included, seek certifications from organizations like Leaping Bunny or PETA to ensure ethical practices.
Cruelty-free brand Malin+Goetz developed an amazing product, Acne Treatment Nighttime, within the budget: 22 USD on their website, 81 AED, and in less than ten days, my dark spots were fading. They also have the salicylic gel that healed an affected area on my chin, the same price, 22 USD (81 AED), on their website.
Minimalism
Conscious skincare routines often adopt a minimalist approach, focusing on quality over quantity. This means selecting a few high-quality products for multiple purposes, reducing the need for excessive products and packaging. I’m not sure how many points I can score here ✨ , but I do my best not to exceed 11, the total number of products and brands I use.
Support ethical brands
Conscious skincare routines involve supporting brands that align with values. It includes companies that prioritize fair labor practices, social responsibility, and giving back to communities.
Personal health
Your health and well-being should be your priority when building your skincare routine. It involves choosing products suitable for your skin type and needs rather than following trends or advertisements. 🫶🏻
🌟 Avoid greenwashing
Conscious consumers are cautious of “greenwashing,” which is when brands falsely claim to be environmentally friendly or ethical without substantiating their claims. Do your research first to ensure brands and products align with their values.
To cover your Retinol and Vitamins, here are some suggestions I tried, loved, and returned to occasionally.
From thebodyshop.ae:
🤍The Body Shop Vitamin C Energizing Face Mist, 100ml, 79 AED
🤍The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Sheet Mask, 32 AED.
From their website:
🤍Herbivore Botanicals Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum Mini, 10ml (I couldn’t find Herbivore in UAE stores), 19,30 EUR or 80 AED; it is a mini and worth it!
🤍Byoma de-puff brighten eye gel, 20ml, 12,99 USD or 48 AED.
From sephora.ae
🤍PIXI Retinol Tonic, 250ml, 110 AED
🤍Ole Henriksen Day Bright & Smooth Night Vitamin C & Acid Serum Duo, 14ml, 105 AED.
When speaking about affordable brands that respect those mentioned above 🌟 key aspects for a conscious skincare routine, it’s worth looking at:
✅The Ordinary
✅The Inkey List
✅Byoma
✅Weleda
✅Versed
✅Pixi
✅Supergoop
✅Malin+Goetz
✅The Body Shop.
In other words, brands deliver results in under 30 euros or 120 AED.
As a European accustomed to hassle-free online skincare shopping with no added expenses, my relocation to the UAE has introduced a whole new dimension to my skincare routine.
Suddenly, my cart isn’t just filled with skincare “pretties”; it also carries the weight of duties, taxes, and delivery fees. And when those beloved products run out of stock, turning to amazon.ae becomes the default, pushing my skincare budget into uncharted territory.
Since our move in March 2022, my skincare routine has become an adventure in adaptation. Not only does my skin contend with the unique challenges posed by the Middle Eastern environment and climate, but it’s also navigating unknown waters in terms of new products and ingredients. Stock shortages and brand unavailability have made it necessary to frequently switch serums, treatments, creams, and ingredients, adding a layer of complexity to my already intricate skincare routine.
🥰❤️ Would like to highlight that many brands offer the pint-sized, deluxe versions of their finest products, perfect for those moments when you want a taste of luxury without the hefty price tag.
Indulging in luxury skincare brands or treating yourself to a bit of glamour? Don’t break the bank – think ‘minis’! You can still reach the budget. 😍
Finally, a skincare routine and a beauty routine are related but are distinct concepts in personal care and grooming.
Skincare Routine
Focus: the health and maintenance of your skin. It means applying a series of steps with the aim of cleansing, hydrating, protecting, and treating your skin.
Products (cleansers, toners, moisturizers, serums, sunscreen, treatments, or anti-aging products) are chosen based on your skin type, concerns, and goals.
Goals: to improve the overall health and appearance of your skin, addressing issues like acne, dryness, wrinkles, pigmentation, etc.
Frequency: daily, morning, and evening.
Beauty Routine
Focus: on a broader range of personal care and grooming practices, not limited to just skincare. It includes steps and products aimed at enhancing your overall look.
Products: makeup, haircare, nail care, and fashion choices (clothing and accessories).
Goals: to enhance your physical appearance, which can involve achieving a desired makeup look, styling your hair, grooming your nails, etc.
Frequency: can vary widely. Some people may have a daily beauty routine that includes makeup application (not me 🤪), while others may reserve it for special occasions.
A skincare routine is a subset of a beauty routine. It specifically addresses the care and maintenance of your skin, focusing on its health and appearance with the use of skincare products.
The Founder
If you are an expat in the Middle East facing skin concerns and want to share your story, send us a message at [email protected]
*Disclosure: I received no compensation for this review. This is solely based on my personal experience and assessment.
