Budget beauty products have come a long way in recent years. Gone are the days when affordable meant basic or DIY. Today, the selection of products under £15 is packed with formulas that rival – and sometimes outperform – their premium counterparts.
Brands like The Ordinary and The Inkey List have led the charge, stripping skincare back to high-performing ingredients without inflated prices. Think retinol, peptides and even exosomes in budget anti-ageing moisturisers and serums. Meanwhile, K-beauty continues to raise the bar with skin-first formulations designed for long-term health, often skipping unnecessary fragrance.
Make-up hasn’t been left behind either. A new wave of artist-led brands brings pro-level textures and finishes to the high street, meaning you no longer need to splurge for a smooth blend or long-lasting wear.
With budgets under pressure, spending less is more appealing than ever. But not every bargain is worth it. I’ve put the latest low-cost launches through their paces, from cleansers to concealers, to find the ones actually worth picking up.
Starface pimple patches use hydrocolloid to draw out fluid from active blemishes. They work best on spots that have come to a head, and act as a protective barrier to stop breakouts spreading. Garnier’s vitamin C serum with salicylic acid leaves skin smoother and more even after about a month, improving post-blemish hyperpigmentation. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 is a versatile, water-based balm recommended for eczema and psoriasis relief, thanks to anti-inflammatory panthenol.
CeraVe’s hydrating face wash, recommended by dermatologists, is a go-to cleanser. These products prove you don’t need to spend a fortune for effective skincare.
