12 luxe-for-less skincare products under £10
Jazzria Harris
Beauty & skincare
Reading time: 4 minutes
Treat yourself to some me-time with these super-powered skin saviours – all for £10 or less
With many of us wanting to shop smarter and switch our traditional beauty buys for more affordable alternatives, now is the perfect time to refresh your routine. And the good news is that you can do this and still enjoy little luxuries. After all, why should your beauty routine have to pay the price?
Shopping smarter doesn’t have to cost the earth. Boots has more than 1,000 own-brand beauty products priced at under £2, as well as a host of affordable brands, such as Revolution Beauty and The Ordinary, which offer all the efficacy of high-end products without the need to compromise on price.
Here are our picks of the best affordable skincare products that provide a dose of decadence for under a tenner. Whether it’s their cocooning texture or stellar ingredients list, they’ll ensure you get a spa-style self-care moment all year round.
The influencer-approved oil
Try: Aveeno Skin Relief Body Oil Spray, £9.29
• Size: 200ml
It was influencer @Melissaswardrobe, also known as Stormzy’s stylist, who first brought this body oil to our attention and we’re so glad she did. Its moisturising ability and luxurious scent make it a real treat. We like to apply it on freshly dried skin post-shower to lock in moisture for the rest of the day. Plus, it gives a delicate sheen – perfect for adding a veil of luminosity to dry limbs.
The glow booster
Try: Revolution Pro Skincare Pineapple Enzyme Glow Gommage Peel, £8
• Size: 100g
• Suitable for vegans
• Cruelty-free
If you love a hardworking facial exfoliator, this pineapple-based peel will be a welcome addition to your beauty routine. Inspired by Korean beauty trends, it uses fruit acids to help lift away dead skin cells to reveal a more radiant-looking complexion. Even better, it not only uses fruit based-extracts but it smells of pineapple, making it a deliciously sweet treat for all your senses.
The lip fix
Try: Lanolips Lemonaid Lip Treatment, £8.99
• Size: 12.5ml
• No artificial fragrances or petrolatum
Many of us want to streamline our beauty routine to make it more concise and targeted, and this clever product does just that. Acting as an exfoliator and lip balm in one, this lip treatment makes it easy to achieve a smooth, hydrated pout. Simply apply a thick layer overnight and allow it to get to work while you sleep. Then, when you wake up, rub in any excess product for kissably soft lips.
The barrier-boosting cleanser
Try: Byoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser, £9.99
• Size: 175ml
• Suitable for vegans
• Non-comedogenic
• Alcohol-free
• Fragrance-free
• Cruelty-free
If you haven’t heard of Byoma yet, it’s definitely time you put the brand on your radar. It launched in the UK in 2022, with the aim to help support the skin barrier with products that help strengthen rather than strip. This cleanser does just that, removing build-up and dirt on the skin, without drying it out to reveal a healthy-looking complexion.
The skin-soothing moisturiser
Try: L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Aloe Moisturiser, £9.99
• Size: 70ml
Stressed-out skin can result in dullness, dehydration and other unwanted skin concerns. Rather than overloading it with products, this moisturiser is a great way to help get your skin back to feeling its best. With a water-like texture and calming aloe vera, it sinks in quickly to help rehydrate and rebalance without leaving behind any stickiness or residue.
The wonder ingredient
Try: The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane, £6.40
• Size: 30ml
• Alcohol-free
• Silicone-free
• Suitable for vegans
• Cruelty-free
• Boots Beauty Awards winner
Retinol has been dubbed a wonder ingredient by skincare buffs, thanks to its ability to smooth the appearance of fine lines and add radiance. This serum from The Ordinary is a great way to add the ingredient to your routine. It even won the title of Revolutionary Retinol in the Boots Beauty Awards, so we’re not the only ones singing its praises.
The spa-worthy set
Try: L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Aloe Moisturiser, £9.99
• Size: 30ml
• Cruelty-free
• Includes cleanser and muslin cloth
While a trip to the spa may be on hold for the moment, it’s still possible to give yourself a spa-like experience at home thanks to this Liz Earle kit. To use, apply the soothing eucalyptus-scented cleanser to your face and neck, then rinse the muslin cloth under warm water before using it to gently remove the cleanser. Move your hands in upward motions to lift and define your features as you cleanse for a pro-level experience.
The quick fix sheet mask
Try: Garnier Moisture Bomb Pomegranate Hydrating Face Sheet Mask Dehydrated Skin, £2.99
• Size: 32g
• Suitable for vegans
• Cruelty-free
• Boots Beauty Awards winner
If you’re short on time but want to give your skin a quick hit of moisture, a sheet mask is a great option. Post-cleanse, apply the mask while you pop on your best party outfit, then remove and you’ll have the perfect base for applying your make-up onto. Plus, at just £2.99 it’s a great budget buy. No wonder it won the Best Beauty on a Budget category at the Boots Beauty Awards.
The A-lister favourite toner
Try: Thayers Aloe Vera, Witch Hazel & Rose Petal Facial Toner, £4.99
• Size: 89ml
• Alcohol-free
• Non-comedogenic
• Cruelty-free
Thayers’ range of toners boasts a whole host of A-list fans, including actress Lily Collins, and since launching in the UK, it’s become a must-have part of our beauty routine too. Available in five blends, our favourite is rose petal, which not only leaves skin feeling fresh and clean, but gives us a much-needed moment of zen.
The hero hydrator
Try: Boots Ingredients Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser, £5
• Size: 30ml
• Suitable for vegans
Healthy-looking skin starts with hydration and we swear by hyaluronic acid for helping dry and dehydrated skin. Gently massage this moisturiser into your face and neck morning and evening to deeply nourish below the surface for a brighter, smoother-looking complexion.
The super serum
Try: Botanics Revive & Protect Postbiotic Facial Serum, £8.99
• Size: 25ml
• Suitable for vegans
• Cruelty-free
Need a glow boost? Try this. Containing black tea kombucha, this serum has been created with the needs of dull skin in mind, helping to dial up hydration and luminosity for a more radiant-looking and even toned complexion. It also has a lovely lightweight texture that absorbs like a dream.
The radiance reviver
Try: Boots Vitamin C Brightening Cleansing Gel 200ml, £4.50
• Size: 200ml
Suitable for all skin types, this cleanser is our go-to when our skin looks dull or lacklustre. Combining vitamin C with yuzu extract, it’s a vitamin-hit for the skin, removing build-up without over-drying. Use alongside the matching toner and moisturising cream for a full radiance-boosting routine.
All prices correct at date of publication
