I’m a dermatologist – here’s 2 cheap skincare swaps to stop your skin ageing
IN the pursuit of youthful skin we can often be lured into spending hundreds on creams and lotions.
Frustratingly, it’s not always clear if spending more money will actually equal better results and fewer dreaded lines.
But according to dermatologists, there are some cheap skincare options which are just as good as the expensive brands.
“It’s not about whether the product is cheap, or expensive,” GP and skincare expert Dr Ahmed El Muntasar told 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 added.
1. Bondi Sands SPF (£6.99 in Boots)
Instead of SUPERGOOP! PLAY Everyday Lotion (£20)
Ultimately, sun cream is the best way to prevent the signs of aging – as well as skin cancer.
According to cosmetic dermatologist, Denisse Serano, SPF is “often overlooked but so important”.
“It doesn’t matter which brand you buy, as long as you use it every single day and you love it, that’s what counts,” she explained in a TikTok video.
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.
GP and skincare expert Dr Ahmed El Muntasar suggests getting your hands on Bondi Sands in a Australian brand – because who better to trust when it comes to the sun than Aussies!
“It’s a great product,” according to
The broad spectrum cream protects you from UVA and UVB rays, which are associated with skin cancer and skin burning, respectively.
2. The Ordinary retinol 1% in squalane (£7.90 in Boots)
Instead of Drunk Elephant Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream (£65)
The Ordinary has become a cult favourite in recent years for their reliable yet cheap skincare.
Retinol creams and serums have been clinically proven to reduce the signs of ageing -but many come at a hefty price.
“The ingredients in retinols can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone,” registered dermatologist from Canada, Dr Solish Nowell, told the Sun.
But you don’t have to spend a bomb to get hold of a decent retinol.
The Ordinary’s retinol 1% in squalane is lightweight but potent solution improves your skin’s texture and tone and reduces dark spots, plumping and firming as it goes.
Squalane, a key antioxidant, also helps prevent UV damage and new age spots from forming.
Dr Christopher Tomassian, founder of The Dermatology Collective in California, recommended using retinols three times a week as part of your nighttime skincare routine.