While 2020 meant less time in the studio doing what we love, we tried to be there virtually to help you reach your skin goals by way of our online skincare consultations - all carried out by our senior facialist and founder, Joanna. (Contact us here if you’d like more information or to book an appointment!)

With purse strings tighter than ever and a collective “rejig” of how we spend our money, we understandably had a flurry of requests from clients asking for products which packed a punch, looked after their skin, but didn’t make them balk when they checked the price tag!

Now - we get it.

Skincare and self care have become more important than ever over the past year, and therefore there is certainly still a place for those ultra-luxurious products that make you feel like you’ve just stepped foot in 33Dowanhill for your hour of rest and relaxation. But you know what’s really great to keep things interesting while we’re all stuck at home? Options! Variety! Alternatives!

With that in mind, we asked Joanna to pick her favourite high-end products which could be combined to form a simple, staple skincare routine, and then caveat those with a slightly less expensive alternative(s) to show that you don’t need a bank loan to have a great skincare routine that offers results.

Note - Narrowing it down to just a few favourites in each category wasn’t easy, but she did it!

Cleanser

Feeling flush? Jo loves Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm which comes in at £59 for 50ml - a slightly eye watering price to pay for something which is essentially being flushed down your sink, but we’d argue that this baby is worth it for its’ practicality and how it makes us feel when we use it. This is a mud-based cleansing balm with a delicate orange blossom fragrance (think ultra relaxing spa!) designed to cleanse, soothe and hydrate skin and, in our opinion, one of few cleansers that can actually make a difference to the look and feel of your skin. We’d recommend using this as a first cleanse in the evening! Read the hype and try for yourself here.

Want the balmy texture but know that you’re currently going through cleansers quicker than we can say “lockdown”? Jo suggests trying The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Balm, costing a very reasonable £11 for 90ml. Described by TBS as being “a buttery pot of goodness”, this gentle cleanser will rid your skin of makeup, SPF, and the tears from being alive during 2020 in one simple step. Especially good for sensitive skin and contact lens wearers! Check out what The Body Shop reviews say and purchase here.

If you’re looking for a product which costs somewhere in between these two but which offers similar results, Jo rates Exuviance Gentle Cream Cleanser which offers a generous 200ml tube for £28.50. A slightly different texture, this cream cleanser is gentle but nourishing, exfoliating yet hydrating, and boy - does it last! Another great option for those who have sensitive skin, this silky formula works well as a morning cleanse or second cleanse in the evening. You can buy it or get more information here.

Find this helpful? We’ll bring you more Skincare Substitutions covering Vitamin C serums, moisturisers and Retinols. Stay tuned!

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