10 Best 'Beauty on a Budget' Tips, According to Frugal Redditors

A third of Americans say that they regret overspending on beauty products, according to a recent LendingTree survey. Gen Zers and Millennials are particularly guilty of this, with 27% even going into debt to fund their skincare addiction. 

While we’re all for self care at Cheapism, we’re also penny pinchers who believe you can pamper yourself without dipping into your savings. The following 10 frugal beauty tips — all sourced from a lively "beauty on a budget" thread on r/Frugal — prove that makeup and skincare don’t have to break the bank.

One commenter says they have saved hundreds of dollars by using castor oil in lieu of an expensive moisturizer. Despite its benefits, board-certified dermatologist Morgan Rabach tells Byrdie that it’s not “for people with acne-prone skin,” as the oil could clog pores and lead to more blemishes.

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We know this seems counterintuitive, but go for samples and travel-sized cosmetics. Although travel-sized products are always more expensive when you read their price per unit labels, buying in bulk doesn't make sense if you just collect a bunch of products and throw them out when they expire, as one Redditor points out.

“If you have good skin, you can afford to use cheaper makeup alternatives,” one commenter argues, noting that skincare should take priority over cosmetics. In other words: Invest in good skincare so you don’t have to spend as much on makeup.

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Lots of makeup products are more versatile than you think. One Redditor shares that they use lipstick as eyeshadow and foundation, while another says they use it as blush. The upshot? Get creative and see if your products can do double or triple duty.

Related: You Don't Have To Spend a Fortune on Makeup. Here Are 5 Ways To Score Free Beauty Samples

You don’t have to spend your whole paycheck on La Roche Posay and Supergoop to have great skin. For example, multiple Redditors swear by Jergens All-Purpose face cream, which costs 28 cents an ounce on Amazon. It works great as a moisturizer, makeup remover, and cuticle treatment, Redditors say.

If you’re trying to save on beauty, then skip the nail salon. Some Redditors even go so far as to say that they’ve never had their nails done professionally.

Skincare serums like Paula’s Choice $55 Resist C15 Super Booster can quickly drain your savings account. You’re better off making serums yourself by purchasing vitamin C or niacinamide powders and mixing them with water, one Redditor says. The Ordinary sells 20 grams of vitamin C powder for just over $6, which you can mix in with other serums, creams, or moisturizers.

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As multiple Redditors point out, one of the most impactful things you can do for your beauty routine is to take care of yourself. That means wearing sunscreen, drinking enough water, practicing excellent sleep hygiene, exercising often, and eating well. Investing in yourself like this costs very little, and yet it will have an outsized effect on how you look and feel.

Coloring your hair with henna is not only cheaper than using typical dyes, but it also provides an incredibly “natural” color, one Redditor reports. That said, do your research before you switch to henna-based dyes, as they come with a lot of drawbacks, including potential hair loss.

If you follow beauty trends, you already know about Korean skincare, which is all the rage on TikTok and other social media platforms. The appeal is that the Korean approach to skincare is gentler and cheaper. Popular brands include CosRx, Innisfree, and Laneige.