How Cheap Can You Comfortably Go? Skincare

   So I'm currently running out of some items and vitamins and stuff and I need to repurchase. And I also need to send some stuff to my sister for her birthday. So I'm putting together a care package of skincare goodies. I have a rule when it comes to giving gifts and random acts of kindness, that I will not give someone else something I personally would use myself, unless that person specifically requested it or likes it. People who have gotten stuff from me know that I'm pretty good at putting together gift packs. 
    
   So I was thinking I should add another item. And then the thought came to me - How cheap can I comfortably go for myself? I do spend a fair bit on skincare and I'm bit picky but I'm always looking for a bargain and if I had to pay full price for something how much would I spend total for my skincare routine. So below is a list of my budget buys and just the basics that I have tried and if it wasn't on sale I could repurchase at full price and be happy with my choices. 

- Cream Cleanser - Skinfood Cleanse All - 15NZD  

- Gel Cleanser - Moreish - 18NZD 

- Oil Cleanser (emulsifying) - Avalon Organics Wrinkle Therapy Cleansing Oil with CoQ10 & Rosehip about 13NZD

- Toner - Andalou Naturals facial sprays about 16NZD

- Serums/Facial Oils/Eye Serum - I would use the Ordinary Range which has a variety for about 10 to around 26NZD per item atm on Beautylish. I haven't tried the facial oils yet but I would. 

- Moisturiser non-spf - Skinfood Nourishing Moisturiser 15NZD

- Mud Mask - Skinfood Mud Masque - 15NZD

- Moisturizing Mask - I would get the Tonymoly Tomatox it's around 10NZD on Beautynetkorea. 

- Lip Balm - Hurraw Sunprotect and Moon Balms from iherb around $6 each.

Of course I have my specific staples which I use everyday and have tried switching but always come back to and they aren't cheap.

- Oasis Apple a Day - currently 34.50 NZD on Healthpost

- Antipodes Hosanna Serum - currently about 40 NZD on Healthpost

 Then there's the other variable items like wipes, non-emulsifying cleansing oils, eye cream, sheet masques and peels which I haven't stuck to one brand only and I buy based on what on sale that I think I'd like. 

   So how cheap could you go and be comfortable with the product choices you have? Do you have a few items you're absolutely hooked on and would still continue to buy even if you have to stick to your budget picks on other skincare items in order to afford them? 

I could go cheap as long as the products are pretty good. I love Skinfood and it's pretty economical.

Skinfood and Essano are my cheap but good options.

My  affordable brands  I go for are Aveeno , Essano , Goodness and Skinfood. 

I'll happily use Skinfood, Essano, Goodness and Korean brands which are usually pretty cheap. At the other end of the scale I use Ren which I'm starting to get back into now it's more accessible here. 

Lip balms I like Sierra Bees from iherb. I just got a pack of eight for free lol. 

   I forgot to add sleeping masks but it would probably be a Korean one, since they are good quality for the price and there's plenty to choose from. 

Price has nothing at all to do with compatibility! I do love skincare from Skinfood, Essano, some of the St Ives and Nivea ranges, Garnier micellar etc. I'm sure Goodness is fine but I can't deal with the parsley smell haha.

My routine has higher and lower cost items; I just buy what works, and brand isn't always a guarantee

I think as long as the brand is legit and it works then I don't really care if it's cheap. But I wouldn't buy a brand that I can't find any information about online.

My most recent cheap skincare find is this volcanic sheet mask on Roserose shop for $1 each and they're awesome. I alternate this with the trilogy sensitive mask so I can have two masking days a week.