We often hear that a flawless face of makeup starts with a great skincare routine, but if you have hyperpigmenation, clear skin isn’t always that simple. Like many people of colour, I’ve long experienced the effects of scarring and hyperpigmentation following adolescent and hormonal acne. Though I was eventually able to tame my sporadic teenage breakouts, getting rid of its aftermath has been a long, challenging process.
I’ve tried and invested in prestige full-cover foundations and concealers, but over time I found that these were just temporary fixes that weren’t very cost effective. I’ve also spent my fair share of cash on luxury skincare goods that didn’t give me the instantaneous results I’d hoped for. But on my quest to clear skin I’ve found that not every magical product has to cost a fortune. In fact, I’ve come across a few drugstore products that have actually worked wonders on my skin (without draining my pockets in the process).
If you’re on a budget but want to commit to an effective skincare regimen, I’ve rounded up some of my drugstore favorites. These underrated gems won’t cost a ton in upkeep, so you’ll be able to consistently work toward radiant skin. Read on to check them out.
Chemist Warehouse
Cleanser: CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser
When picking out a face wash to cleanse and clarify your skin, think gentle and hydrating. The CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser ($13.39) is made with pore-purging salicylic acid to exfoliate away dark spots and keep breakouts to a minimum. The ingredient words in unison with ceramides to keep your face hydrated even while you wash. The formula was also developed by dermatologists, so it is particularly safe to use daily and is an extremely effective part of any skin-care routine.
Priceline
Toner: Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Pads
Toning pads are a key component in revealing brighter skin. The textured versions of Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Pads ($34.99) are soaked in glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, and blue daisy. Each active ingredient works to soothe, firm, and resurface your skin. The triple-threat pads are gently textured to buff your face while removing any makeup or dead skin you may have missed.
Adore Beauty
Serum: La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Serum
La Roche-Posay has a great line of products made to treat discoloration, but the Pigmentclar Serum ($59.95) is one of my favorites. The lightweight liquid has ferulic acid and lipo hydroxy acid to gently exfoliate your skin while brightening the appearance of dark areas. Though it is slightly pricier than other drugstore products, the long-term benefits of this serum make it totally worth the investment.
target.com / Ryan Carville / i4color
Spot Treatment: Burt's Bees Dark Spot Corrector
When trying to clear up dark spots, it’s important to actually target specific areas. The Burt’s Bees Renewal Dark Spot Corrector ($34.95) is loaded with the ingredient bakuchiol, a natural alternative to retinol, to help brighten discoloration of the skin. Use this on select areas of concern or on your entire face and décolletage after cleansing and toning. After a few applications, your skin will look noticeably more radiant, and with consistent use you’ll notice a pleasant improvement in the clarity of your brown spots.
iHerb
Moisturiser: Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Applying sunscreen over moisturiser can feel like an unnecessary extra step. But protecting your skin from the sun will prevent dark spots from getting worse. Instead of applying a separate sunscreen, I prefer to use a moisturiser with SPF. The Aveeno Positively Radiant SPF 30 Moisturizer ($27.96) has been one of my daily go-tos. The hydrating cream is hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic making it perfect for sensitive skin. It also has radiance-boosting ingredients like soybean extract and natural light diffusers so your skin is left glowing after each use.
Chemist Warehouse
Night Moisturiser: Nivea Creme
Most of the ingredients in the previously mentioned products are potent and made to exfoliate your face. But if you’re constantly resurfacing your skin’s texture, it’s important to replenish it with moisture to avoid a dryness and peeling. So after applying my routine skin care at night, I like to slather my face with Nivea Creme ($4.69). The classic creamy moisturiser will leave your skin feeling exceptionally hydrated but not greasy. It is also noncomedogenic so it won’t clog your pores while you sleep. I find that when I pack this on at night, I wake up and my skin feels super soft and looks more clear.
