We’ve tried all the budget skincare, these under-£20 products really work
Cutting-edge science. A-list expertise. Must-try trends. Dressing table appeal. All things we most definitely won’t be telling you to live without, in our round-up of the best affordable skincare. Squeezing your beauty spending doesn’t have to mean sacrificing clinically-proven anti-ageing results or stylish products, even when you’re getting change from £20.
We’re certainly not skincare snobs here at GH; in fact, finding products that outperform their price tag is one of our obsessions. From serums to day creams and cleansers to problem-solving treatments for issues like sensitive skin, we know there are some truly excellent formulas to be found at the budget end of the market (and we’re not even counting the endless special skincare deals and discounts at places like Boots and Superdrug.
While these bargain buys might not feature heavy jars with gold-topped lids or rare petals picked by the light of a full moon, they really excel when it comes to getting things done. Healthy, glowing, comfortable, clear skin? You've got it.
This no-fuss skincare fits perfectly with the new mood identified by Mintel’s trend spotters, who highlighted ‘sophisticated simplicity’ as a key focus for beauty shoppers. As Sarah Jindal, Mintel’s senior director of beauty, personal care and household research, explains, customers are "increasingly seeking products that prioritise efficacy and functionality over extravagant packaging and flashy marketing campaigns". That certainly makes sense to us: ‘cash’ wins over ‘flash’ every time in these cost-conscious times.
Here are the budget buys, costing £20 or less, that we at GH think will boost your skin vitality as well as your bank account.
GF 15% Solution
We have huge love for The Ordinary skincare: it’s no-fluff, affordable, effective and cutting edge. This new serum uses rejuvenating growth factor technology previously only available in costly premium formulas. (Google it, and gasp at the difference.)
Total Effects 7in1 Night Moisturiser With Niacinamide, 50ml
Seven effects from one of our most trusted skincare brands, for under £20? Yes please. It's a great multi-tasker, which can be relied upon to leave your skin softer, plumper, brighter and generally looking well rested when you wake up.
Azelaic Acid 10% Serum
It has a high-end apothecary look, but DoSe by VH is an affordable way to get both style and scientific credibility. The pharmacist-led line targets everything from pigmentation to blemishes - this azelaic acid serum is a favourite of a rosacea-prone GH-er.
Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturiser
We fell for the soft, supple skin feel, but the benefits of this moisturiser go beyond the surface, thanks to deep-acting ‘next-gen’ ceramides. 100% of testers saw results on SIX signs of ageing; impressive at any price, let alone £19.
Advanced Repair Ointment
We could fill an entire feature with our under £20 Cerave shout-outs, but for starters we’d namecheck the AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF30, any of its cleansers, and this brilliant new multi-purpose face and body balm which one GH-er swears by for her eczema-prone skin.
Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Expert Dual Action Serum
Take the highest-ever level of Nivea’s famous Q10 active, and combine it with a ‘10 years in the making’ innovation that curbs the skin damage from a sugary diet. The result is this clever serum which makes a dent on wrinkles in a fortnight - sweet news for anyone with a pick ‘n mix weakness. (So that's pretty much everyone on GH then...)
10% Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) serum Booster Serum skin care product suitable for all skin types for even skin tone and texture 30 ml
We can’t think of many regimes that wouldn’t be improved by niacinamide, a balancing, texture-smoothing, barrier-strengthening active that all skin types get along with. Mix this booster with your moisturiser, and you’ve got a customised, supercharged routine for under a tenner.
Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream
When you get a product right the first time, you don’t need to tinker with it. Weleda's iconic cream remains exactly as it was when it arrived in 1926, and it’s hard to imagine how you’d improve this dry-skin saviour, adored by makeup artists for its near-miraculous canvas-prepping powers. Oh and did we mention the scent? It's gorgeous.
Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Vitamin C is one of our daily non-negotiables, and Garnier’s well-priced serum has been especially pleasing to our tester who saw a stubborn age spot in retreat by the end of the bottle. The matching Vitamin C Daily UV Fluid SPF50+ Glow is also outstanding.
Camomile Sumptuous Makeup Cleansing Butter
Oh how thrilled we were to see The Body Shop rescued, and not just for nostalgic reasons. Let’s agree it deserves to not just survive but thrive in ’25, particularly when it makes products as joy sparking as its ultra-nourishing cleansing butter.
DermaCare Ceramides Replenishing Mist
Part of a new sub-£8 skincare edit powered by ceramides, the ‘cement’ that keeps the skin barrier strong and happy. (Remember, calm skin is slower-ageing skin.) The mist immediately soothes and eases tightness, and was summed up by a GH-er in one, all-caps word: “LOVE”.
Itch Relief Cool Mousse
Soothing, SOS hydration without the sticky feel. It’s approved by AllergyUK to provide quick relief from dry, itchy skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. It's also very much approved by the sensitive-skinned members of the GH team, who suggest moving it to the fridge for even more ‘ahh’.
Milky Moisture Cleanser, 175ml
Most of Byoma's formulas belie their affordable price tag, and this recently added cleanser is no exception. The milky cream is so kind on dry, sensitive skin, removing grime effectively without leaving skin feeling tight or stripped.
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