Best budget beauty buys

Eve Cameron explains why you don't have to spend a fortune to look good

Your beauty regime need not cost a fortune. In fact, some of the best beauty investments cost nothing at all. These include getting plenty of sleep so the skin can repair itself, using facial massage moves when you cleanse to rev up your circulation, and staying out of the sun as much as possible.

When it comes to beauty products, research and modern technology have led to plenty of high-performance lotions and potions that don't require a second mortgage to buy. Here are my favourite value-for-money budget beauty buys.

Supermarket sweep

Buying your beauty products alongside your groceries saves time as well as money. At Tesco, the Skin Wisdom range, designed in conjunction with holistic beauty therapist Bharti Vyas, offers some great anti ageing skin care. Look out for the Age Delay Eye Treatment, £5.97, a quick-fix to transform tired, puffy eyes. Also noteworthy is the range's Destress Night Cream, £3.26, which leaves your skin smoother and brighter come morning.

Sainsbury's is the place to pick up some affordable spa luxury with the Champneys range (also available at www.champneys.com). The scrubs and masks, which start at around £6, are just the thing for a pampering DIY facial. If you have a Waitrose nearby take a look at their Umi and Umi Spa range, which features delights such as white jasmine and waterlily bath essence for escape. One of the best skincare inventions of recent times is the body lotion with just a touch of fake tan

For your body: body skincare

Two things are essential for smooth, glowing, comfortable skin: exfoliating and moisturising. One of the easiest ways to exfoliate is with a body brush. A simple bristle brush (available in most pharmacies) used on dry skin in sweeping movements towards the heart will keep dull dead surface cells from building up and boost the circulation. Body brushing fans also claim it keeps cellulite under control. As a brush lasts for ages it's cost effective too. Alternatively try the delicious Almond, Pistachio & Olive Body Scrub, £5.25, from Boots Mediterranean range.

One of the best skincare inventions of recent times is the body lotion with just a touch of fake tan. Rather than the full-on colour of regular fake tans, these are more subtle and less streaky and smelly to boot! Johnson's started the genre with the hard-to-beat Holiday Glow, but promising others include Garnier's Summer Body from £4.99, and Olay's Complete Everyday Sunshine Body, £6.99.

Face value: ultimate skincare

Brands such as Olay, Nivea, L'Oreal Paris, Simple and Boots No7 offer high-tech problem-solving skincare at great prices. Try:

Nivea Visage Sensitive Calming Cleansing Milk, £5.49 and DNAge Day Cream, £14.99, which work to reduce irritation and redness with anti-inflammatory organic licorice extract and contain a balancing complex to strengthen the skin's natural defenses.

Simple Regeneration Plus Smoothing Facial Wipes, £5.99. An anti-ageing formula with a vitamin and mineral complex and marine extract, these cleanse quickly and efficiently, whilst also improving skin tone and texture.

No7 Advanced Renewal Anti-Ageing Glycolic Peel, £17.25. Cutting edge technology means anti aging skincare at an affordable price. This stimulates cell renewal, refines the pores and smoothes fine lines.

L'Oreal Revitalift Facial Cloth Mask, £13.99 for four. A ten-minute anti-wrinkle and firming treatment with Pro-Retinol A that visibly firms up the skin, leaving it smoother and hydrated.

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