Now, we know how skin care can be the “it” thing of today. From countless YouTube tutorials to skincare threads on Twitter plaguing the internet sphere, people;  men and women, young and old have started to give this once a luxury knack (attended by those with time and money), its proper attention.

Skincare has generally been known to be pricey. Here, we break down for you the step-by-step skincare regime that you simply CANNOT miss out on in order to have a healthy skin while saving your much-needed ringgits at the same time. (You’re so welcome!)

1.Double Cleanse 

Regular makeup wearers everywhere, this one is for you! No one can deny the importance of cleansing your face after a whole day of wearing all those layers of makeup. Double-cleansing is a Korean skincare staple using an oil-based cleanser followed with a water-based cleanser.

Oil-Based Cleanser

A MUST in any double-cleansing routine, it dissolves all the oil-based ingredients in your layers of makeup and sebum along with other dirt and impurities, thoroughly cleansing your pores as you wash ‘em all away.

Our pick: We pick Biore Cleansing Oil Makeup Remover – RM23.30 (Watsons) simply for being the cheapest yet so gentle and effective. Perfect for double-cleansing noobies and skincare junkies! We’re obsessed with it! 

Water-Based Cleanser

Double-cleansing is incomplete without a water-based cleanser which comes in various forms; gel, foam, and cream. Whichever you end up choosing, it acts as giving that extra boost to your cleansing ritual, washing off any residues that a cleansing oil can’t handle.

Our pick: Senka Perfect Double Wash 120g – RM15.94  (Watsons) for its superb cleansing power. A cream-based cleanser, it feels very light as you lather it on and leaves a squeaky clean feeling to your face without drying it out. And did we mention it’s less than RM20?!

2. Exfoliate

We can’t stress how important exfoliating is in any skincare routine. It’s just SO important! Why? Exfoliating helps to remove dead skin cells giving you a fresher, glowing and radiant look. Depending on your skincare type and how often do you wear makeup, you may exfoliate up till 3 times a week preventing clogged pores and thus, acne! Hallelujah!

Our pick: Whether you have a normal, oily or combination skin, it will certainly love this SKINFOOD Black Sugar Mask – RM30.86 (Guardian). There’s a reason why this has been almost everyone’s fav in the blogosphere. With fine organic black sugar as the champion ingredient, this manual exfoliator will leave your skin nourished, glowing and radiant after application. We’ve tried it and it’s totally worth t the searching for in your local Watsons store!

3. Tone

Your cleansing routine can be made more comprehensive with the usage of toner. Toning your skin helps to remove the remaining dirt, impurities, and debris that your double cleansing step might have missed out. Besides, it also helps to restore your skin pH balance, soothing, hydrating and gives the much-needed nourishment to your skin.

Our pick: We just can’t boast enough about this apparent everyone’s fav toner; Thayers Original and Aloe Vera Toner – RM50.95 (Watsons). Despite hitting a little bit above the RM50 pricing mark, this toner is suitable for all skin types for its super-gentle and hydrating formula. And we have major love for the refreshed feeling that it leaves your skin!

4. Slap a sheet mask on!

Got an extra time in your hands? Slap a cool sheet mask on and let the skin-loving stuff seeped into your skin after applying the toner. Sheet masks are essentially masks made of thin fibre cloth or wool drenched in serums or essences promising to offer you a burst of hydration and luminosity in a simple and quick way. Many prominent dermatologists have agreed that sheet masks are a great addition to your skincare routine with a growing trend seen among celebs such as Gigi Hadid and Cate Blanchett.

Our pick: Garnier Serum + Hydra Bomb Mask 1 pcs – RM6.59 (Watsons) proves to be a superstar despite being the cheapest. Infused with pomegranate extract sealed with heaps of serum, no wonder many have vouched for its quick boost of hydration and the long-lasting rejuvenation that it guarantees. This mask made with 100 percent natural cellulose fibre tissue is definitely FTW!

5. Moisturise

Nobody can deny the importance of moisturising in any basic skincare routine. I mean, you might skip all the serums but NEVER the moisturiser!  This is because it is a simple step that helps to provide your skin with a quick hydration slowing down the ageing pace of your skin. Cleansing might strip away all the natural oils in your drying out your skin, and that’s where moisturiser comes to the rescue! There’s just too many adverse effects by not using it, so make sure to NEVER skip this one!

Our pick: We have major love for this Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser 125ml – RM20.75 (Watsons) Just because it’s essential doesn’t mean it has to be pricey. Sometimes, the simplest formula can be just exactly what your skin needs! We found this gem in the local drugstore and it is hands down – perfect for every skin type! With “kind to skin” ingredients and it’s creamy but non-greasy formula, it works in pampering your skin with moisture and is brilliant under makeup too! YASS!

6. Lather on ya sunscreen!

The common skincare myth is that you don’t need any SPF protection unless you’ll be going under the sun. That cannot be more untrue according to the majority of dermatologists who advocate the use of sunscreen as the final step in any basic skincare routine. Sunscreens help in preventing your precious skin from the direct exposure of harmful UVA/UVB rays that can increase the risk of hyperpigmentation and to an extent, skin cancer. An important tip here is to lather on your sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going under the sun to maximize the benefits of the SPF.

Our pick: We have major love for this Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50++ 50g – RM28.82 (Watsons). If you’re looking for an SPF product that glides smoothly onto your skin, a brilliant watery makeup base and one that doesn’t hurt your pocket, this one is a clear winner. Boasted as one of Biore’s bestselling SPF products, make sure that you grab this beauty at a promotional rate whenever it goes on sale in your local drugstores!

Who says you have to break the bank to get glowy?