Five skincare products have been hailed as the ‘fountain of youth’ by beauty enthusiasts for their anti-ageing benefits – and none of them break the bank.
The products, which include facial oils, serums and sunscreen from a range of popular pharmacy brands like Mario Badescu, The Ordinary and Paula’s Choice, cost between $24.90 and $48.50 and are all available in Australia.
Top picks include a nourishing rosehip oil designed to fight the signs of ageing, and a serum laced with vitamin B which reduces pore size and the risk of breakouts.
Reviewers say the products rapidly reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin texture and brighten complexion, making your face appear younger.
Elta MD Broad Spectrum SPF (pictured) is made with zinc oxide which provides the highest level of sun protection, and has been hailed as the ‘holy grail’ of sunscreen by customers
1. Mario Badescu Rose Hips Nourishing Oil – $34
US beauty brand Mario Badescu has built a cult following around the world thanks to its selection of reasonably priced skincare products.
The brand’s $34 Rose Hips Nourishing Oil is specifically designed to combat the early signs of ageing.
It promises to brighten, tone and hydrate all skin types with nourishing ingredients including rose hip oil and vitamin C.
The face oil comes with a 4.7 star rating and glowing reviews from satisfied customers, who say the formula reduces redness and softens coarse complexions.
‘Rose hip seed oil (which is also great for acne-prone skin types) is high in beta-carotene, which is a precursor to your vitamin A and is converted when applied to the skin,’ one person wrote on Reddit.
‘Some may consider it too gentle to make a difference on its own, but if a routine is being tailored to anti-ageing in particular I would definitely consider it an important addition!’
Mario Badescu Rose Hips Nourishing Oil is available in Australia from Mecca online.
Mario Badescu’s Rose Hips Nourishing Oil (pictured) is designed to fight early signs of ageing by brightening, toning and hydrating lacklustre skin
2. The Ordinary Buffet Serum – $24.90
Award-winning skincare giant The Ordinary is known for its range of premium quality products, without the premium quality price tag.
The label’s $24.90 Buffet Serum promises to hydrate and brighten dry, dull skin, as well as reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The serum, which is made with hyaluronic acid, is suitable for all skin types and has been hailed as The Ordinary’s ‘best product’ by customers.
An anonymous 26-year-old reviewer said the serum has worked wonders for her oily skin and reduced the severity of fine lines around her eyes.
‘This serum is not only affordable, it works extremely well. I have very oily skin, and I’ve noticed a significant difference in my laughter lines and the plumpness of my skin. Even high-end products did not work as well as this!’ she wrote.
The Ordinary Buffet Serum is available in Australia from Adore Beauty.
The Ordinary Buffet Serum (pictured) lessens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
3. Timeless Vitamin C Ferulic Acid Serum – $44.90
Vitamin C Ferulic Acid Serum, from US brand Timeless Skincare, claims to hydrate and brighten dull, stressed skin, even skin tone and pigmentation, and increase the production of collagen which makes skin appear younger and plumper.
The serum also protects against pollutants like exhaust fumes, which speed up the signs of ageing.
A woman who has used the serum for two years said she has noticed improvements in her skin’s texture and brightness.
Timeless Vitamin C Ferulic Acid Serum is available from Amazon Australia.
Vitamin C Ferulic Acid Serum (pictured) from US brand Timeless Skincare claims to protect against environmental pollutants which accelerate the signs of ageing
4. Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster – $52.70
Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster claims to improve uneven skin tone and blemishes, shrink enlarged pores and reduce the severity of fine lines and wrinkles.
The lightweight serum is made with Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 which reduces pore size and the risk of breakouts.
The product usually costs $62, but is currently on sale for $52.70.
One woman called it ‘the final tweak I needed for perfect skin’.
Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster is available in Australia from the brand’s official website.
Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster (pictured) reduces the risk of breakouts by shrinking pores
5. Elta MD UV Shield Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 – $48.50
Elta MD specialise in high-factor sun protection created by dermatologists.
The brand’s $89.95 UV Shield Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 is a sheer, oil-free formula, suitable for oily, acne-prone and normal skin.
The formula is made with 9 percent zinc oxide, which blocks ultraviolet rays that can cause premature ageing and lead to skin cancer.
Elta MD sunscreen comes with a 4.5 star rating and hundreds of positive reviews, with one woman calling it her ‘holy grail sunscreen’.
‘It leaves my skin so soft, not shiny at all. I have really dry skin and my friend has oily skin, and it looked perfect on both of us,’ she wrote on Reddit.
‘No white cast (we both have dark skin), no eye irritation and it’s by far the cheapest sunscreen suitable for the face I’ve seen.’
A range of Elta MD sunscreen is available from Amazon Australia.