The Poor Girl's Guide: 10 Steps to Skin Care

It's no secret that skin care can be expensive — and that we're willing to empty our bank accounts to get noisy products that promise us healthy looking, radiant skin. This becomes even more obvious if you build a ten step program. Skin care treatment inspired by Korean cosmetics, which requires a variety of products and application twice a day. If you're looking to save some money on your routine or can't afford the pricier beauty purchases, check out our guide below for our favorite affordable choices for each step of your routine.

STEP 1: Precleaning

Double cleansing is the main element of the K-Beauty treatment. It starts with an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser. Our favorite budget option #7 Radiant Results Nourishing Micellar Cleansing Oil (it will cost you about $9) made with grape seed oil and a complex of trivitamins to nourish the skin.

STEP 2: Double cleanse

After rinsing off the oily cleanser, move on to a water-based cleanser for a double cleansing of the skin. We recommend choosing a cleansing and moisturizing formula, such as CeraVe Cleansing Foam for Normal to Oily Skin, which contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to help strengthen the skin barrier. This popular choice will cost you just $10.99.

STEP 3: Exfoliate

Exfoliation is a must for glowing skin, so choose Garnier SkinActive Green Tea Deep Pore Exfoliating Facial Scrub (Suggested retail price $9) at your next pharmacy visit. The green tea based formula purifies the skin while exfoliating, so you can expect smoother skin with regular use (we recommend starting twice a week).

STEP 4: Tone

After cleansing, the toner helps to make the skin perfectly clear and prepares it for further skin care treatments. An affordable, fan-favorite choice that we love. Thayers Witch Hazel Toner, which contains tannins, loved for their antioxidant properties. It's only $11 MSRP.

STEP 5: Apply Essence

Essences offer extra hydration to the skin, which can lead to glassy skin radiance. Our favorite available choice is COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence (MSRP $16) with 96% snail filtrate to help prevent moisture loss and soothe skin.

STEP 6: apply serum

 If there's any product we're likely to spend a lot of money on, it's a powerful serum packed with skin-friendly ingredients, but thankfully a $30 MSRP. L'Oréal Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum saves our skin and our wallets. There are many reasons to love this serum, the main one being that it is pure hyaluronic acid that absorbs quickly into the skin.

STEP 7: Add a sheet mask

Concealment is an integral part of any skin care (and a great opportunity to take a selfie). Add a water-based sheet mask with hyaluronic acid, such as Garnier Skin Active Hydrating Bomb Mask (Suggested retail price $3) to your line when your skin needs a little moisture.

STEP 8: Apply eye cream

The skin under the eyes is incredibly thin, so it's important to add an eye cream to the mixture. CeraVe Revitalizing Eye Cream for Dark Circles (Suggested retail price $10) helps to smooth and brighten the skin around the eyes with a marine and botanical complex, plus ceramides to help keep skin hydrated.

STEP 9: Don't Forget Your Moisturizer

Daily hydration is essential for effective skin care, so we recommend a lightweight yet effective formula such as CeraVe Ultra Light Moisturizing Facial Lotion SPF 30. It's only $14 and comes with SPF 30 so you can add a little extra protection before applying the final layer of sunscreen.

STEP 10: SPF is required

Without a doubt, every morning skincare routine should end with sunscreen. La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Clear Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60 (MSRP $20) is one of our favorite formulas for its ability to absorb excess oil and add shine while leaving skin matte.