Budget Skin, Rich Glow: Building a Routine That Won’t Break You

Between late-night study sessions, hawker food, and the heat plus humidity combo, it’s no surprise that skincare can feel like a full-time job. But glowing skin doesn’t need to and shouldn’t break your bank.

If you're a student trying to get your skincare together without spending your entire allowance at Watsons or Sephora, this one is for you. Here's how to build a solid, effective beauty skincare routine under $50 a month that’s perfect for Singapore’s weather and your wallet.

Step 1: Cleanser

Cleansing is your skin's reset button. It washes away dirt, sweat, and sunscreen that can clog your pores, especially in our weather. Look for a gentle cleanser that doesn’t leave your skin feeling tight or squeaky-clean. Stick to washing twice a day, and skip harsh scrubs or foaming formulas that can strip your skin.

Budget faves:

• Simple Kind to Skin Refreshing Facial Wash, 150ml ($15.20)
• Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Face Wash, 100g ($14.05)
• KraveBeauty Matcha Heartleaf Hydrating Cleanser, 30ml, ($8.00)

Simple Kind to Skin Refreshing Facial Wash

The Simple Kind to Skin Refreshing Facial Wash is a gentle and effective cleanser designed to refresh your skin without causing irritation. It's an excellent choice for daily use, leaving your face feeling clean and soft.

Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Face Wash

The Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Face Wash is a gentle yet effective cleanser that prioritizes deep hydration. Formulated with Super Hyaluronic Acid, it washes away impurities without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier, leaving it feeling soft and supple.

KraveBeauty Matcha Heartleaf Hydrating Cleanser

The KraveBeauty Matcha Heartleaf Hydrating Cleanser is a gentle, non-stripping facial wash designed to cleanse effectively while restoring hydration to the skin. Infused with matcha and heartleaf extract, it provides antioxidant benefits and helps soothe irritated skin, leaving it feeling soft and supple.

Step 2: Moisturiser

Yes, even if your skin feels oily all the time, you still need to moisturise. Skipping this step makes your skin produce more oil to compensate. Choose a lightweight moisturiser for Singapore’s climate, and look out for the word “non-comedogenic,” which means it won’t clog your pores. Apply right after washing your face to lock in moisture.

Budget faves:

• Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion, 237ml ($16.03)
• Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist, 170ml ($15.95)

Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion

Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion is a lightweight, non-greasy lotion designed to provide long-lasting hydration and help restore the skin's natural moisture barrier. It is a fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and hypoallergenic formula, making it suitable for even the most sensitive skin.

Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist

The Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist is a highly popular Japanese hydrating toner, often referred to as a "lotion" in Asian skincare. It's renowned for its ability to deliver intense moisture to the skin, thanks to its blend of multiple types of hyaluronic acid. This lightweight yet powerful formula helps to plump and soften the skin, making it an excellent base for subsequent skincare steps.

Step 3: Sunscreen

Sunscreen is the one step you never want to skip, regardless you’re indoors or it’s cloudy. UV damage causes dullness, pigmentation, early wrinkles, and acne scars that take forever to fade. Look for SPF 50+ and PA++++ for max protection in Singapore’s intense sun. Apply in the morning, and reapply every few hours if you’re out and about.

Budget faves:

• Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel, 70ml ($13.99)
• Skin Aqua Super Moisture UV Gel, 140g ($15.99)

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel

The Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel is a highly popular Japanese sunscreen known for its incredibly lightweight, gel-like texture that absorbs quickly without leaving a white cast. It offers high UV protection (SPF50+ PA++++) and is infused with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, making it suitable for daily use, even in humid climates like Singapore.

Skin Aqua Super Moisture UV Gel

The Skin Aqua Super Moisture UV Gel is a popular Japanese sunscreen renowned for its lightweight, "water-light" texture that feels incredibly comfortable on the skin.

Optional step: Treatment (if you have specific skin concerns)

Once your basic routine is solid, you can add one treatment product to target acne, dark spots, or dryness. Don’t rush into too many actives. Layering everything TikTok recommends is a recipe for irritation. Go slow, patch test, and introduce one product at a time, especially if it has ingredients like acids or retinoids.

Budget faves by concern:

• Acne: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, 60ml ($17.90)
• Dark spots: Beauty of Joseon Rice & Alpha-Arbutin Glow Deep Face Serum, 30ml ($14.79)
• Dry skin: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, 30ml ($17.70)
• Spots: COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch, 24 patches ($5.40)

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is a popular serum formulated to help reduce the appearance of skin blemishes and congestion. This high-strength vitamin and mineral formula also works to visibly balance sebum activity, making it a good option for those with oily or blemish-prone skin.

Beauty of Joseon Rice & Alpha-Arbutin Glow Deep Face Serum

The Beauty of Joseon Rice & Alpha-Arbutin Glow Deep Face Serum is designed to target pigmentation and uneven skin tone, featuring 68% rice bran water and 2% alpha-arbutin for a brighter complexion. This lightweight serum absorbs quickly, leaving the skin hydrated and helping to reduce the appearance of dark spots.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is a hydrating serum designed to replenish moisture in the skin, utilising a combination of low, medium, and high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid for multi-depth hydration. The addition of Vitamin B5 further enhances surface hydration, leaving the skin feeling smooth and plump.

COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch

The COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch is an effective hydrocolloid patch designed to absorb pus and protect blemishes, promoting faster healing. These discreet patches also prevent further irritation and picking, making them an excellent spot treatment for active breakouts.

Where to shop in Singapore without going broke

Don Don Donki is a treasure trove for Japanese skincare. From cult-fave sunscreens to hydrating toners, they are often sold at cheaper prices than major chains. You may also find lesser-known gems that work just as well as big-name brands.

For everyday convenience, Watsons and Guardian are your go-to spots. They carry student-friendly staples like Cetaphil, Hada Labo, and Biore, and they almost always have promos like buy-one-get-one-free and member discounts, especially if you shop online.

If you're looking to try trendy products like The Ordinary, COSRX, or Beauty of Joseon, online platforms like Amazon, iHerb, LazMall and Shopee Mall are your best bet. They're legit, ship fairly fast, and often run discount codes that bring prices below local stores.

Lastly, don’t sleep on Welcia. This Japanese drugstore chain has a solid skincare section with unique Japanese finds you won’t spot elsewhere. Plus, their loyalty program lets you rack up points to offset your next purchase.

What others are saying

“I use CeraVe for my daily face wash and Skintific for my moisturiser, lip balm and anti-acne serum. I always shop on either Shopee or TikTok Shop as I can get the best deals from them. My routine is just face wash every day and night. After face wash, I'll put all my Skintific products on my face and slap on my Medicube suncream if I'm leaving the house.” – Heidi Fong, 23

“For morning, I will ususally use Hatomugi Skin Conditioner after washing my face. If I feel my skin is still very dry, I will add on other products like Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel. I usually get my skincare products at Watsons and Sephora.” – Liew Zi Yi, 26

At the end of the day, good skincare doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag. Just keep your routine simple, consistent, and suited for Singapore’s hot and humid weather. Don’t stress over what’s trending on TikTok or what your friends are using. Everyone’s skin is different, so find what works for you. Save your cash for bubble tea; your skin (and wallet) will survive just fine.

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