You Don’t Need to Spend a Fortune on Skincare
I’ve lost count of the number of times customers have told me they’re spending £50, £80, even £100+ on skincare — and they’re still not happy with their skin. I get it. Walk into any Boots or Superdrug and you’re bombarded with serums at £30 a pop and moisturisers that cost more than your weekly shop.
Here’s what I’ve learned after over six years as an Avon Beauty Advisor and Training Ambassador: effective skincare doesn’t have to cost the earth. I’ve tested virtually every product in Avon’s skincare range on myself, my family, and hundreds of customers. I know what works, what’s worth the money, and what you can skip entirely.
In this guide, I’m going to show you how to build a complete, effective skincare routine for under £30. Morning and evening. Cleanse, treat, moisturise. That’s it. No ten-step routine, no £45 miracle oils. Just honest products that do what they promise.
The 3-Step Framework: Cleanse, Treat, Moisturise
Every effective skincare routine comes down to three steps. Whether you’re 25 or 65, whether you’ve got oily skin or dry skin, this framework is your foundation:
- Cleanse — Remove dirt, makeup, oil, and overnight buildup. A clean canvas is essential for everything that follows.
- Treat — Apply your active ingredients. This is where serums do the heavy lifting — targeting fine lines, dullness, uneven tone, or whatever your skin concern is.
- Moisturise — Lock in hydration and create a protective barrier. In the morning, choose one with SPF. At night, go richer to support overnight repair.
You do this twice a day — morning and evening. That’s six simple steps total. Takes about three minutes each time. No excuses!
Your Morning Routine
Step 1: Cleanse — Anew Clean Gel Cleanser
Start your day with a gentle gel cleanser. The Anew Clean Gel Cleanser is one of my favourites because it’s effective without being harsh. It removes the oil and dead skin cells that build up overnight, leaving your face feeling fresh and ready to absorb your serum. It won’t strip your skin or leave it feeling tight — which is exactly what you want from a morning cleanse.
Step 2: Treat — Anew Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Vitamin C is an absolute powerhouse ingredient and it’s perfect for mornings. Avon’s Anew Vitamin C Brightening Serum does three things brilliantly: it brightens dull skin, helps even out your skin tone, and provides antioxidant protection against environmental damage like pollution and UV rays. A few drops after cleansing, patted gently into your skin, and you’re sorted.
Step 3: Moisturise — Anew Day Cream with SPF
Your morning moisturiser needs to do two jobs: hydrate and protect. I recommend either the Anew Renewal Power Cream (£22) for its brilliant anti-ageing Protinol™ technology, or the Anew Ultimate Day Cream SPF25 (£18) if you want built-in sun protection. SPF is non-negotiable in your morning routine — even on cloudy British days, UV damage is the number one cause of premature ageing.
Your Evening Routine
Step 1: Cleanse — Double Duty
Use the same Anew Clean Gel Cleanser, but your evening cleanse is doing harder work. It’s removing a full day’s worth of makeup, SPF, pollution, and natural oil. If you’ve been wearing heavy makeup, consider a double cleanse — use a micellar water or cleansing oil first to break down makeup, then follow with your gel cleanser for a truly deep clean.
Step 2: Treat — Anew Renewal Power Serum
Evening is the time to bring out the big guns. The Anew Renewal Power Serum is my absolute must-have — I’d genuinely be lost without it. It contains Avon’s Protinol™ technology, which is their answer to retinol but without the irritation. It works overnight to boost collagen, smooth fine lines, and improve skin texture. I’ve watched this product transform my customers’ skin over the years.
Step 3: Moisturise — Night Cream for Overnight Repair
Your skin does its best repair work while you sleep, so give it a helping hand. The Anew Ultimate Night Cream (£18) is richer than your day cream and packed with ingredients that support overnight renewal. No need for SPF at night — just pure hydration and repair. You’ll wake up with softer, plumper skin. Trust me on this one.
Body Care on a Budget
Don’t forget about the skin below your neck! Your body deserves some love too, and it doesn’t have to break the bank. My go-to recommendation is always Skin So Soft Original — it’s one of Avon’s most iconic products for good reason.
The Skin So Soft Original Dry Oil Spray is gorgeous as a daily body moisturiser. It absorbs quickly, leaves your skin silky smooth, and has that distinctive citronella scent that’s become a bit of a legend — especially in summer when the midges and mosquitoes come out! It’s multi-purpose, affordable, and one bottle lasts ages. I always have a bottle in my bathroom and another in my handbag.
Avon Prices vs Boots & Superdrug: The Real Comparison
I hear this all the time: “But Carol, is Avon skincare actually any good?” Let me put it this way — Avon invests millions in skincare research and their Anew range has won multiple beauty awards. The difference? You’re not paying for expensive high-street rent or flashy packaging. Here’s how the numbers stack up:
| Product Type | Avon | Boots / Superdrug |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin C Serum | Anew Vitamin C Serum — approx. £12 | No7 Radiance+ — £25 | L’Oréal Revitalift — £20 |
| Day Cream with SPF | Anew Ultimate Day Cream — £18 | Olay Regenerist — £32 | Neutrogena Hydro Boost — £15 |
| Gel Cleanser | Anew Clean Gel Cleanser — approx. £8 | CeraVe Foaming Cleanser — £13 | Simple Gel Wash — £5 |
| Anti-Ageing Serum | Anew Renewal Power Serum — £16 | No7 Future Renew — £35 | Olay Super Serum — £30 |
| Full Routine Total | Under £30 | £50–£80+ |
The numbers don’t lie. You can build an effective, science-backed skincare routine with Avon for roughly half the price of a comparable high-street routine — and in many cases, you’re getting superior ingredients like Protinol™ that you simply won’t find anywhere else.
What I Actually Use: Carol’s Own Routine
I always think it’s important to practise what you preach, so here’s exactly what I use morning and evening. No filters, no sponsorship fluff — these are the products I genuinely reach for every single day.
My morning: Anew Clean Gel Cleanser, Anew Vitamin C Brightening Serum, Anew Ultimate Day Cream SPF25. Done in three minutes flat while the kettle boils.
My evening: Anew Clean Gel Cleanser (double cleanse if I’ve been wearing makeup), Anew Renewal Power Serum, Anew Ultimate Night Cream. I pop the serum on, let it sink in for a minute, then follow with the night cream.
My desert island product? The Anew Renewal Power Serum, without a shadow of a doubt. If I could only keep one product from my entire collection, this would be it. The Protinol™ technology has genuinely transformed my skin — finer pores, smoother texture, and a glow that people actually comment on. I’ve been using it for years and I will never stop.
Tips for Different Skin Types
The 3-step framework works for everyone, but here are a few tweaks depending on your skin type:
Dry Skin
If your skin feels tight, flaky, or dehydrated, reach for richer formulas. Use a cream cleanser rather than a gel if you prefer, opt for the Anew Renewal Power Cream as your moisturiser, and don’t skip your night cream — ever. Layer your serum underneath for extra hydration. In winter, consider adding a facial oil as a final step at night.
Oily Skin
The gel cleanser is your best friend — it cuts through excess oil without over-stripping. Choose a lighter moisturiser, but don’t skip moisturiser altogether. This is the biggest mistake I see oily-skinned customers make. When you skip moisturiser, your skin panics and produces even more oil to compensate. A lightweight, oil-free formula is what you need.
Sensitive Skin
Patch test everything — apply a small amount behind your ear or on your inner wrist and wait 24 hours. Look for fragrance-free options where possible, and introduce new products one at a time so you can identify any reactions. Avon’s Anew range is generally well-tolerated, but everyone’s skin is different.
Combination Skin
Welcome to the club — most of us have combination skin! The trick is to treat different areas of your face differently. Use a lighter moisturiser on your T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and a richer one on your cheeks if they tend to be drier. Your serum can go everywhere. The gel cleanser works brilliantly for combination skin.
Shop These Products
Ready to build your affordable skincare routine? Browse my shop for these products and more. Free delivery on orders over £25!
