Expensive + Affordable Skincare: Build a Natural Skincare Routine on Any Budget

Posted by Jenny Tellier on

You can build a natural skincare routine on any budget without compromising on efficacy. Whether you're applying a $600 or $30 serum we have the products to meet your skin (and wallet) where they're at.

Here are your high and low skincare routine options, in the correct order of use. And yes, we'll answer what you're dying to know - what are you paying for in that high-end serum?

Before we begin our skincare journey, let's consider WHAT FACTORS MAKE A HIGH-END PRODUCT EXPENSIVE? 

High-end skincare products generally have a combination of the following that contribute to a higher price point:

  • more ingredients - compare Tata Harper's 72-ingredient Elixir Vitae to Wildcraft's 9-ingredient Regenerating Face Serum
  • ingredients that require more labour to be processed - the prickly pear oil you find in F. Miller's Eye Oil is a more expensive ingredient due to the meticulous method involved in extracting the oil - each seed is handpicked from the pulp of the fruit, and only 5% of oil can be extracted from each seed
  • formulations that depend on time - Vintner's Daughter uses wine-making techniques to naturally activate/ferment their Active Treatment Essence for 21 days while most skin care products take 6-8 hours to make from start to finish
  • quality of ingredients - Monastery's Gold Botanical Serum consists of only oils that are cold-pressed from plants instead of their essential oil counterparts
  • sourcing local ingredients - Wonder Valley's Wonder Serum contains olive oil from olives grown, hand-harvested and pressed on their farm in California. 

With that knowledge in hand, let's journey through a complete 7-step skincare routine.

1. CLEANSER

HIGH 

Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser $111 - this best-selling exfoliating cleanser is gentle enough to use every day or a great treat a couple of times a week. 

Monastery Rose Cleansing Oil $70 - feels like washing your face with a bouquet of roses, absolutely divine! Safe for acne-prone skin. A great night-time cleanser that can also be used as a face oil as step 6.

LOW

Margin Essential Cleanser $35 - this no foam gel cleanser is an instant fave for all who try it. Bonus benefit, it doubles as a shave gel. Made in Canada.

Wonder Valley Facial Oil Cleanser $85 - this may seem like a high option, but this bottle is huge, 200ml, making this an amazing buy. Bonus, it's an oil cleanser that washes off with water. Hallelujah. 

2. TONER

HIGH

Vintner's Daughter Active Treatment Essence $310 - looking for minimal skincare? get ready, this is your vitamin C serum, hyaluronic acid serum, antioxidant serum, micro-exfoliator and plant stem cell serum. Yes, it works. Yes, it's worth it. 

Tata Harper Concentrated Brightening Essence $329 - reach for this brightening essence to help with hyperpigmentation and evening skin tone. Apply serums in step  while your essence is still damp on your skin for maximum absorption.

LOW

Wildcraft Balance Toner $28 - create the perfect canvas for the rest of your skincare routine with a toner, this one is great for all skin types and especially well for drier skin.

Living Libations Complexion Mist Rose Glow $24 - drench dry skin with one of nature's most hydrating ingredients, rose. Use throughout the day for added moisture. 

3. SERUM

HIGH

Tata Harper Elixir Vitae $620 - this hyper-potent serum targets severe wrinkles, loss of firmness and elasticity and dryness to restore the look of youthful plumpness and volume. It's packed with 72 active ingredients to give you the results you expect at this price point.

Monastery Flora Botanical Cream Serum $190 - this bestselling serum is a fave of our HH community for its creamy texture, quick absorption, yummy smell and the expertise blending of low and medium-weight hyaluronic acids for a dewy glow.

LOW

Facile Reverse Ageless Serum $54 - we couldn't believe we found a dermatologist formulated and tested 2.5% retinol that didn't dry out our skin. This serum is your skin's new BFF. Retinol and niacinamide improve discoloration and increase your skin’s natural ceramides and hyaluronic acid effortlessly hydrates. An incredible retinol and an incredible price. Worth it.

Apprenti Ôr'ganik Moisture Serum Gel $34 - an oil-free hydrating serum with pineapple and papaya fruit extract that gently exfoliate the skin while the concentrated blend of multiple hyaluronic acids keep you glowing.

4. EYE CREAM

HIGH

F. Miller Eye Oil $92 - this sleek roller is packed with nutrient-dense oils like pricky pear that help to tighten the eye contour, soften fine lines, brighten dullness and dark circles, and restore elasticity to the eye area. We also like it as a cuticle oil. 

Tata Harper Elixir Vitae Eye Serum $443 - you've got 54 active and naturally derived ingredients in here targeting cute crows feet and under-eye bags so you can keep laughing confidently.

LOW

Wildcraft Renew Eye Serum $33 - formulated with naturally anti-inflammatory turmeric and skin-softening yarrow, this eye serum is also dual-purpose and can be used as a handy spot treatment. We love that!

100% Pure Bright Eyes Mask $9 - hello to the cutest way to show your eyes some love. These extremely hydrating caffeine under-eye patches use a thirst-quenching blend of cucumber, hyaluronic acid, and aloe juice. One-time use, we love these as a weekly treatment.

5. MOISTURIZER  

HIGH

Tata Harper Crème Riche $291 - age (really) well with this velvety night creme. It's full of natural antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamin F to give you instantly soft and supple skin. A perfect winter treat.

Living Libations Rose Glow Crème $72 - we love this glowing review from Krissi, "[this creme] has not only changed the vibrancy of my skin the smell uplifts my mental state and quite honestly soothes my soul. I stopped using it over the winter and just started back up 2 weeks ago and the visual difference in my skin is unreal. No other product has had such a holistic impact on me." 

LOW

Facile Barely There Moisturizer $36 - a dream for sensitive skin, this dermatologist-formulated moisturizer is pH balanced, plumps the skin while protecting and repairing the skin barrier. A great low-scent option.  

Wildcraft Restore Face Cream $34 - a HH community bestseller, this cream delivers tons of hydration, a little bit goes a long way.

6. FACE OIL 

HIGH

Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum $255 - this category-defining face oil is formulated with the world’s most nutrient-rich botanicals for nourishing and restorative moisture. Pair this with the Vintner's Daughter Essence above and skip all the other steps for a minimal approach. 

Monastery Gold Botanical Serum $225 - especially suited for inflamed or acne-prone skin this oil calms even the most irritated complexions with its unique blend of vitamin and nutrient-rich oils. It's like a multivitamin for your skin.

Wonder Valley Wonder Serum $157 - a rich blend of sea lavender, hyaluronic acid, and bioactive peptides, Wonder Serum repairs and revitalizes, breaths life into your skin. 

LOW

Wildcraft Regenerate Face Serum $33 - a fun pick at a great price point, this oil is full of seabuckthorn, palmarosa, and carrot root, helping to restore the skin’s moisture balance, increase firmness, soften fine lines, and encourage cellular regeneration.

Daily Ritual Oil $48 - this all-in-one oil is formulated for all skin types and also works well on the body and hair. Fun fact, it's made just down the street from our College St shop.

7. FACE BALM

HIGH

Monastery Attar Floral Repair Concentrate $230 - probably one of the most versatile products in the shop, this balm is made with only 4 high-quality ingredients that have been effective in treating skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis while also repairing UV damage (hello looking at screens all day!). Use Attar as a last step in your skincare routine to seal in all your products.

LOW

Province Apothecary Vital Nutrient Face + Eye Balm $39 - this balm combines bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol alternative, with hyaluronic acid to help increase hydration, smooth skin texture, soften lines, and minimize breakouts. Show local some love, this product is made in Toronto. 

Here at Health Hut, we stand behind all the products on our shelves. We carefully curate our brands ensuring best practices for environmental sustainability and clean and naturally derived ingredients that you can feel good about.

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