It’s possible to spend thousands of pounds a year on skincare. A jar of face cream from a famous Swiss skincare brand can set you back a shade under £300, and while I’m sure it’s wonderful, not everyone has that kind of cash to splash about. The good news is that you don’t need to spend a lot for great results. There is perfectly affordable luxurious skincare available, and I’ve come across three that are sure to impress.
Lacura Caviar Illumination Day Cream is phenomenally good. It contains vitamin B5, caviar extract, stem cells, snow algae extract, and hyaluronic acid – ingredients often found in high-end skincare. Together, this potent cocktail of nutrients helps to firm skin, stimulate collagen production, brighten, tighten and guard against free-radical damage. It also contains an SPF of 15.
This cream glides onto the skin and feels lovely. It keeps my skin feeling soft and supple from morning until bedtime and sits nicely over all of my other skincare. I can use it around my sensitive eyes without irritation as it isn’t a heavily scented cream. I love it, and I’m not alone. I understand it can be a little difficult to get hold of and, at £6.99 a jar, I can certainly understand why.
Effectiveness: 5 – it’s an incredible moisturiser at any price.
User Experience: 5 – even the jar is luxe.
Comfort: 5 – lasts for hours and feels good on the skin.
Repurchase: Yes. It’s a keeper.
Lacura Caviar Illumination Night Cream is just as impressive as its daytime sibling. It contains the ingredients mentioned above along with a regenerating complex which helps to rebuild and restore skin while you sleep. Like the day cream, it feels luxurious, and it keeps my dry skin hydrated right through the night. In the morning, my skin is plumped, bright and happy. The fact that a jar of this lovely cream costs £6.99 means I’m happy, too.
Effectiveness: 5 – I can still feel this one working after a night’s sleep.
User Experience: 5 – fluffy, rich and a lovely, light scent.
Comfort: 5 – hydrates quickly and lasts.
Repurchase: Yes. If I can find it!
Lastly, there is Yes to Blueberries Smoothing Daily Cleanser, also at £6.99. This is a light, gentle cleanser containing a mild AHA, coconut oil, shea butter, and glycerin. I use it with a hot cloth, but you can easily use it without. As it’s extremely gentle, I wouldn’t recommend it for removing makeup. However, it’s perfect in the morning or if you like a second cleanse. It doesn’t strip the skin, but as with most cleansers, I do find I need serum and cream directly after using.
Effectiveness: 4 – probably won’t remove your makeup, but great in the morning.
User Experience: 4 – light and lovely, but perhaps slightly over-scented.
Comfort: 4 – doesn’t strip, but I do need to rehydrate my skin immediately after use.
Repurchase: Yes. It’s one of the best budget cleansers available.
Fig and Pen 