Ask me what my skincare routine was growing up and I’ll tell you all 20 products I knew of and used. But hey, I am not to be blamed here. Efficacy was a lovely by product at that time, if at all, and experimentation won over good ‘ol common sense. So sure there was a “routine” but I couldn’t tell what was working, what wasn’t and worse, which one’s fancy or cute sounding ingredient was wreaking havoc with my skin.
One thing we can all agree upon is the overwhelming amount of skincare brands and products out there for us to try. As exciting as new beauty launches may be, our skin needs care and not experimentation. Moreover, looking at skincare not as products but as ingredients can massively help treat any skin condition more effectively. And, so pharmacy brands hold the most credible range of products.
Here’s a list of 7 skincare products that don’t break the bank and are easily available at your local pharmacy:
SebaMed Lip Defence SPF 30
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We all know the importance of including a sunscreen in our routine. But we often forget that our lips are as susceptible to the sun’s radiation as our skin. Ignoring this can lead to lip pigmentation and ageing of lips like wrinkling and patches. So, to guard, heal and soothe chapped lips, SebaMed is our trusted lip SPF.
Hyalugel Plus Gel
For all the dry skin people out there, like me, for whom a moisturiser isn’t enough- Hyalugel Plus Gel is the answer. It helps balance skin moisture by saturating and conditioning it. Being non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic, it is safe to use for acne-prone and sensitive skin too.
Glyco-6
Glyco-6 is a no-B.S. product. It contains Glycolic Acid, obviously, which is an exfoliating agent- this ointment is a gentle peel. If you want to target skin concerns like acne, acne scars and hyperpigmentation, this should be your pick. It is, however, quite potent and so, it’s advisable to check with a dermatologist.
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
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Cetaphil, as a brand, is trusted by many to have products that get the job done. Hence, their gentle skin cleanser is a no-brainer. It effectively gets rid of impurities and makeup without stripping the skin of its natural oils.
Emolene
It’s often tricky to find a product that is moisturising, yet light-weight. Emolene is an all-in-one hydro-nourisher that restores the natural moisture balance of the skin, leaving it soft and supple. No wonder you’ll find this blue tube if you peek into the kits of makeup artists in India.
BioOil
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BioOil is widely known for its promise of preventing stretch marks during pregnancy. Not many know, however, that it can be used for the face as well. This vitamin-rich oil, being non-comedogenic, can be used on acne-prone and sensitive skin. It is loaded with Calendula oil, Rosemary oil, Lavender oil and Chamomile oil and helps regulate hyperpigmentation and reduce inflammation.
IPCA Acne-UV Gel
This broad-spectrum sunscreen provides both, physical and chemical barriers to sunlight. While being white-cast free, it also has a priming effect on the skin. It is suitable for all skin types, but as the name suggests, it is especially great for oily acne prone skin.
As for how much to apply, our rule-of-thumb is always three fingers worth!
