'Just 10 basic-but-good skincare products I recommend to my clients on a budget.'

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Some skincare products are destined to be flatlayed, or spark joy sitting on your bathroom vanity.

Then, there's unsexy skincare that will quietly earn its permanent place in your beauty stash… because it actually works.

I'm talking about the products you reach for when your skin is having a moment and you know it is the only thing that will calm it down. Or those products that stay in your routine, no matter what else you've tried.

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As a dermal clinician, I am a HUGE fan of many of these "unsexy" beauty products. I love my spendy cosmeceutical skincare, but they're a great option when you maybe need to pause on spending $300 on a product.

If you're tightening the purse strings or just want some of the best affordable beauty products that work, I've got you covered.

Below, I've rounded up a bunch of favourites I recommend again and again, because they just do what they say they'll do.

1. Avène Cicalfate+, $39.99.

Avène Cicalfate+. Image: Adore Beauty.

Avene Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream is a timeless moisturising staple for irritated skin that can actually be used morning and night.

Doesn't feel heavy, soothes sensitive skin and looks after your skin's barrier when it's weakened.

2. Dermal Therapy Lip Balm, $6.49.

Dermal Therapy Lip Balm. Image: Adore Beauty.

This is Australia's number one selling lip balm and for good reason.

Dermal Therapy Lip Balm Original is clinically proven to treat dry, cracked lips, and most likely costs less than your cup of coffee if you buy it out.

Proof that good skincare doesn't have to cost the earth but also genuinely super effective for anyone struggling with dry lips.

3. Cetaphil Eye Serum, $34.99.

Cetaphil Eye Serum. Image: Adore Beauty.

Cetaphil Healthy Renew Revitalising Eye Serum is packed full of purified peptides, alongside some soothing and hydrating actives, like niacinamide and panthenol (vitamin B5).

This is a budget (but luxe-feeling) eye cream that hydrates and provides a great base for makeup/concealer because of its plumping effects.

Lightweight, non-greasy and can be used both morning and at night on top of your retinoid too!

4. Cetaphil Moisturising Cream, $28.99.

Cetaphil Moisturising Cream 550g, Rich Hydrating Moisturiser. Image: Adore Beauty.

Cetaphil Moisturising Cream is a really great, rich, fragrance-free moisturiser that's amazing for dry and sensitive skins to use on their body.

Also formulated with skin soothing ingredients like niacinamide and panthenol. I promise you, if you want your body to feel luxe on a budget, this is a holy grail product.

5. Cetaphil Pro Eczema Prone Soothe & Repair Cream, $31.99.

Cetaphil Pro Eczema Prone Soothe & Repair Cream. Image: Adore Beauty.

If eczema is a concern, Cetaphil Pro Eczema is a rich cream for the body that can give you instant relief.

It strengthens and protects the skin, calms the skin, and if you're feeling itchy, it can help you put out that fire.

P.S. It's gentle enough for use on your children as well!

6. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+, $42.95.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+. Image: Adore Beauty.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ is a forever staple for a reason.

This is a barrier cream designed to repair impaired barriers, calm inflammation and protect the skin barrier whenever it is having a moment. As a clinician, I always say this is a great skincare staple to have at home for all skincare emergencies… just in case.

And while yes, it's great for dry/irritated skin, you have to remember it is still a barrier cream, so if you're oily/acne prone be careful with overuse as it may be too much for your skin.

7. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Mask B5 Sheet Masks, $55.95.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Mask B5 Sheet Masks. Image: Adore Beauty.

I love to recommend these post-procedure or when your skin needs a little extra TLC.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Mask B5 Sheet Masks comes in a pack of five, and are instantly hydrating and calming.

It's technically designed for dry, dehydrated skin, however all skin types can benefit and again, the Cicaplast range is so perfect to have on hand at home.

8. La Roche-Posay Cleansing Oil, $39.95.

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Huile Lavante AP+ Cleansing Oil. Image: Adore Beauty.

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Huile Lavante AP+ Cleansing Oil is a fragrance-free, deeply nourishing and hydrating body wash that cleans so well and is safe to use on the whole family.

Even on skins that are a little more sensitive, including younger skins prone to eczema concerns.

It's like the perfect one and done cleansing and hydrating body option for your shower.

9. CeraVe Advanced Repair Balm, $27.99.

CeraVe Advanced Repair Balm. Image: Adore Beauty.

CeraVe Advanced Repair Balm is perfect for really dry skin, or any patches on your body that might be dealing with flakiness or irritation.

It basically forms a protective barrier over that area of skin to help lock everything in and repair and heal the skin, and it can even be used on your lips.

10. CeraVe Hydrating Cream-To-Foam Cleanser, $25.99.

CeraVe Hydrating Cream To Foam Cleanser. Image: Adore Beauty.

CeraVe Hydrating Cream To Foam Cleanser is such a grab and go staple cleanser I love for normal and combination skins that doesn't cost the world, and just gets the job done.

Packed full of ceramides, it won't strip the skin, but effectively cleans while hydrating. It's a nice basic cleanser and one I love to recommend all the time.

For more tried and tested beauty recommendations, listen to the You Beauty podcast or watch You Beauty on YouTube.

At Mamamia, we independently curate and write about products we rave about in our group chats and think you should know about too. If you purchase a product we have recommended, we may earn a small commission.

Feature image: Supplied.

This article originally appeared on Adore Beauty's Beauty IQ and has been republished with full permission.

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