Yes there’s a credit crunch, but that doesn’t mean you can’t afford to spoil yourself!   Have you found that with the threat of unemployment and rocketing costs of living, you’re having to work harder and longer with no obvious benefits?  Are sleepless nights and stressful days taking their toll on your world-weary body? 

Well, lucky for you, I’ve been hard at work on your behalf, looking into a variety of pampering beauty products that are kind on your pocket as well as your skin, so even if you’re living on double espressos and adrenalin, you’ll still look fabulous…!
 
Skin Wisdom Protect & Prevent 4-in-1 Wipes from Bharti Vyas at Tesco’s -25 wipes for £2.44
 
These ayurvedic face wipes have a fresh, fruity scent and leave your skin feeling clean, fragrant, and soft, with a nicely cooling, astringent tingle.  Despite being a supermarket product, they look exclusive, like they’ve come from a spa, which is good for the more discerning consumer. 

They have a lovely waffle-weave texture that is gently abrasive, leaving the skin feeling buffed and polished.  The wipes combine age-defying antioxidants and astringents from Rhodiola root and pomegranate extracts with soothing sweet almond oil to create a 4-in-1 formula that cleanses, tones and moisturises the skin, as well as protecting it against environmental aggressors and premature ageing. 

They even shift waterproof mascara, but do be careful around the eyes as they can sting a little, and the texture of the wipe can become a little to abrasive on sensitive areas if you’re too liberal.

Used to clean off makeup, or just to rid yourself of the grime of the day, these wipes don’t dry out while you use them, and leave the skin feeling taught yet moisturised, with a slightly warming sensation.

Thai Ginger and Pumpkin facial wipes from UMI at Waitrose and John Lewis -25 wipes for £2.99

Umi products concentrate on appealing to the senses of touch and smell, to indulge and pamper the body and soul. These face wipes use natural extracts of Ginger and Pumpkin which combine to produce a delicious, feminine aroma that reminds me of cake mix. The packaging makes them look expensive and unusual and the wipes themselves have a nice, cottony texture. 

They are moist and cooling when applied to the skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth without feeling overly processed or stripped of natural oils, with a sustained clean feeling throughout the day.  Ginger is said to stimulate and tone while Pumpkin should soften and smooth. This does seem evident when using these wipes, as my skin felt firm yet baby soft after use, and smelt good enough to eat.   8/10

Vitamin E Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes from The Body Shop - 25 wipes for £5.35

These wipes are carefully folded so if you want to you can slip your fingertips inside and use them like a mitt.  They have a lingering, floral scent that reminds me of Turkish delight and baby-wipes.  They remain really moist throughout cleansing and give the skin an instant tingle. 

These wipes are also 4-in-1, so can be used as a one-step beauty routine to cleanse, tone, moisturise and protect, and leave the skin in perfect matt condition ready for makeup application.  They use Wheat germ oil, which is naturally rich in Vitamin E, to protect the skin from environmental elements and free radicals, and Glycerine to maximise hydration and softness. 

If you’re conscious of air-miles, be aware that these face wipes are made in Italy, whereas the Umi and Skin Wisdom wipes are made in the UK.

Absolution Organic Cotton Lathering Facial Cleansing Cloths by Sarah Smith – 18 cloths for £5.99

These are a little more costly than the other wipes, but the benefits they provide are definitely worth it.  They are made from 100% certified Organic and sustainable cotton fabric, as well as being biodegradable and hypoallergenic.
They use only natural ingredients, with no Parabens, petrochemicals or perfumes, so they’re perfect if you have really sensitive skin.  Their initial scent is not entirely appealing, a little like milk or imperial leather. 

However, once water is applied and they are massaged to produce a lather, they smell fresh and clean, without being too strong.  They are really, really soft and thick, feeling gentle and luxurious on the skin.  The lather is rich and surprisingly dense given how untreated the dry cloths feel.  Although these washcloths are not as portable as the others mentioned in this review, their unobtrusiveness is quite impressive, as they only have a few ingredients instead of a big long list.

Infused with just Coconut and Jojoba extracts to cleanse, soften and moisturise, these cloths are suitable for vegetarians and vegans, so they’re good for the soul as well as the skin.  They leave the skin feeling tight and cleansed, without any fragrance or residue, but if you’re like me you’ll probably want to moisturise afterwards.
The wipes are also available for babys, with additional vegetable, calendula and sunflower extracts. 

These give added moisture, nourishment and protection, whilst soothing and healing delicate skin.

Beauty On A Budget – Moisturisers

Beauty on a budget - Pamper Treatments