How to Do My Walmart Skincare Routine for $100 or Less

As someone who is always buying the latest skincare products, I know how easy it is to blow your beauty budget—especially if you're ingredient-conscious like me.

With finicky, acne-prone and sensitive skin, I can't compromise on quality. So the sulfates, silicones, fragrances and chemical sunscreens that you find in most affordable skincare lines are out of the question.

Fortunately, there's Walmart.

When I teamed up with them last month, I shared some of the surprisingly great finds in their beauty department, from Korean beauty to clean beauty.

This time, I challenged myself to put together an ENTIRE skincare routine for only $100, and guess what? I did it, using brands and products I love!

Did you know that Walmart carries my all-time favourite acid exfoliant? I also found high-protection mineral sunscreen, silicone-free moisturizer, sulfate-free cleanser and vitamin C serum, all at their everyday low prices.

To see my budget skincare routine, read on!

Morning Walmart Skincare Routine

1. Cleanser:

To start the day, my face wash pick is COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser. This is one of the best gel cleansers, and it's only $10! I love that it's free of harsh sulfates and has a skin-friendly pH of 5.0, so it won't strip or irritate your skin. 

Or, if you prefer something even milder, you can always swipe your skin with some micellar water (like Bioderma Sensibio H2O) on a cotton pad.

2. Exfoliator:

Next up is Derma E Purifying Daily Detox Scrub, which exfoliates with apricot seed powder, and is gentle enough to use daily. If you know me, you know I love my acids, but they can leave you a little flaky in places, which can be noticeable under powders. That's why I recently bought this scrub to experiment with. It does a nice job of buffing away any flakes and prepping your skin for makeup.

For this routine, I've included my favourite COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid for nighttime, but you could certainly use it here, too, if you are oily or acne-prone.

3. Antioxidant:

This is an optional step, but I believe everyone can use an antioxidant, and Walmart carries a wide range of vitamin C serums. Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum is one of my favourites because it's lightweight, non-oily and super stable. Its active ingredient, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, is a vitamin C derivative that treats pigmentation, dullness and even acne.

Of course, serums with L-ascorbic acid (the active form of vitamin C) are even more potent. Choose from SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, Timeless 20% C + E + Ferulic Acid Serum or Obagi Professional-C Serum 15%. (Just know that they'll be quicker to oxidize, so you should use them up within about three months.)

4. Sunscreen:

If you have normal to oily skin, you can probably skip moisturizer, as sunscreen alone will give you enough hydration. I've been trying out Thinksport Everyday Face Sunscreen SPF 30+, and I'm very impressed! Not only is it one of the least expensive mineral sunscreens, but it also gives you broad-spectrum protection with 20 percent zinc oxide. Plus, it's non-whitening (due to its slight tint), fragrance-free, water-resistant and low in silicone.

Another great sunscreen they carry is Mad Hippie Facial SPF 30+, which I also use and love.

If you have dry skin, layer a good cream like Derma E Firming DMAE Moisturizer underneath—more on it in a second!

Nighttime Walmart Skincare Routine

1. Makeup Remover:

I'm all about a double cleanse in the evening, starting with a micellar water to remove my makeup. I've long been a fan of the cult classic Bioderma Sensibio H2O, but there's a variation you might not know about: Bioderma Sébium H2O. It has the same cleansing power, but is specifically formulated for people with acne, oily skin or combination skin. 

2. Cleanser:

Once the makeup is off, it's time to wash your skin, and once again I've selected COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser. It's not just for mornings! 

3. Exfoliator:

Then comes my beloved COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid—and yes, you can find it at Walmart! This is a leave-on beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) gel that does a lot more than just exfoliate... and you don't need to have blackheads to use it! It treats and prevents acne; reduces excess oil; brightens the skin; fades pigmentation; and softens fine lines and wrinkles. I consider it one of the best skin treatments of all time, and if they ever stop making it, I will have a serious crisis!

4. Moisturizer:

Your final step is a great night cream. Most lower-priced moisturizers are chock full of silicone, mineral oil and synthetic fragrance. But not Derma E Firming DMAE Moisturizer. This is a nourishing but non-greasy cream made with clean ingredients including DMAE, a nutrient that helps with firming. I think you'll love the texture, which is light enough even for my combination skin. The best part? It's only $16!

Optional Walmart Skincare Extras

To keep it at $100, I didn't include these extra products in the core routine, but you could definitely add them, depending on your needs and preferences:

• Eye cream: If you prefer a separate eye cream (rather than just using your regular moisturizer), Derma E Hydrating Eye Cream is one I own and love.
• Cleansing brush: My favourite deep-cleansing brush comes in affordable mini sizes, like the Foreo Luna Play.
• Hydrating serum: Timeless Hyaluronic Acid is one of the most inexpensive hydrating serums, great for layering under your moisturizer or sunscreen.
• Lip balm: The best lip balm is actually a nipple cream, Lansinoh HPA Lanolin! It's made of 100 percent medical-grade lanolin, and heals chapped lips like nothing else.

Shop My Walmart Skincare Routine

Have you tried any of these products?
What would be in your Walmart routine?