Journal

First things first, it’s important to acknowledge your skin type and concerns before you purchase anything, no matter how interesting a product seems. If you have dry skin, don’t invest in that peeling mask you saw while scrolling through Reels on Instagram — you will most likely be left with irritated, inflamed skin. Understand your skin and make informed choices accordingly. If you’re not sure of a product, reach out to the brand for clarity. For instance, the Aminu team allows you to drop in a message at any time of the day with your skin queries and their in-house experts will sort you out. 

Here’s what you need to keep in mind for your next beauty haul...

Shop your stash before you shop for more. Finish the products you own before you decide to put any money down on something else. Or at least check if your current products have a long shelf-life so you can come back to them after trying something new. While sales and special offers can be very enticing, you don’t want to end up with too many products that you’re unable to get through. When shopping thanks to a special discount or deal, remember that you still need to evaluate if the purchase is actually going to benefit your skin.

If you find yourself wanting to decide between spending on a cleanser or a serum, pick the latter. When you cleanse your skin, the product only stays on your skin for a minute or two and is then washed away. If you don’t have problematic skin, that’s even more of a reason to save on your cleanser. A serum, moisturiser or face oil, on the other hand, stays on your skin all day or through the night, working its magic. When investing in one of these products, the price you pay is for the potent ingredients in the product that will go on to heal, nourish and repair your skin. Spend wisely. 

Think about what you really need

If you find that your skin is often congested and needs a deep cleanse quite often, spend on a detoxifying mask or chemical exfoliator. You know you will use the product often and it’s genuinely made to cater to your skin concerns. If you have mostly problem-free skin, you can easily do with a basic skin exfoliator once or twice a week without spending more than you’d like.

Ingredients are key

Let your skin concerns and the active ingredients made to care for those dictate what you spend vs. splurge on. If you have deep set wrinkles and fine lines and are looking for a retinol-based product, invest without a doubt. If you have acne or very sensitive skin, save up and spend on high performance products that will help sort you out. If you’re looking for a basic body oil or moisturiser, or even a sunscreen, most budget-friendly options will do the job just as well as an expensive product. Spend on products made for your primary skin concerns and save on those that are the bare basics you include in your routine for optimal skin health.

Anjan has 7 years of experience in beauty and wellness writing and copy editing. Currently she is a beauty contributor at VOGUE India and a freelance brand consultant. In the past, she has written for Vogue Business, Soho House's House Notes, Byrdie Beauty, Hypebae, Lifestyle Asia India, Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong, Lifestyle Asia Bangkok, VOGUE Australia, VOGUE Arabia, VOGUE Italia, Tweak India, ELLE India and PopSugar Middle East.