There are an abundance of products designed to scrub, smooth and wash your body. We all need them, but you don’t have to accept these hefty priced products as the only options out there. Being that these are the days of cutting corners wherever you can, it’s safe to say that any unnecessary expenses should get the ax. And one place where it is far too easy to overspend is at your corner drugstore. Keep reading below for some cheaper alternatives to your favorite (but pricey) beauty products. Note: Some are DIY!

1. Conditioner

Most people use this after shampooing. I say try using conditioner instead of shampoo. Mixing a bit of baking soda with your conditioner adds a gentle cleansing agent and will only cost you about $1 at your local supermarket. By using conditioner only, you’ll avoid the strong detergents found in shampoo and your hair should remain soft and easy to detangle after washing. I like VO5 conditioners; they’re very cheap, usually costing no more than $1.50 (sometimes they’re as low as .99 cents!) and they’re not tested on animals. Compared to $5 a bottle for popular shampoos, $2.50 is a steal and you’ll save quite a bit of money.

But wait – don’t put that conditioner away after the wash! Slather a thin layer on your legs and use it as an alternative to the fruity shaving cream that cost $3 for a 10oz. bottle. Your legs will be soft and smooth and you’ll probably never want to use shaving cream or soap again.

Price Comparison

Shampoo (16fl.oz.) = $5
Conditioner (15oz.)$1.50 and Baking Soda (8oz.) $1 = $2.50

2. Sugar

Exfoliate your face with this household staple. Mix a tablespoon or two of granulated sugar with a bit of honey and just a touch of water. Use only enough to make a paste. Gently apply to your face in circular motions avoiding the eye area. Rinse and moisturize. Your skin should be left feeling smooth and soft to the touch.

Price Comparison

Facial Scrub (5oz.) = $4
Sugar (5lb.) $4 and honey (1lb.) $2.50 = $6.50

**An extra $2.50 for 5 lbs. compared to 5 oz.

3. Peroxide

Gargle with peroxide after brushing. When even a liter of drugstore brand mouthwash costs around $4.50, a bottle of hydrogen peroxide will be the economical choice at $1.50 for a 16oz. bottle. As you swish the peroxide in your mouth its effervescent quality will produce a light fizz. If you’re into minty mouthwashes you’ll miss the flavor aspect here but the peroxide will offer a sufficient rinse.

Price Comparison

Mouthwash (1l) $4.50
Hydrogen Peroxide (16fl. oz.) $1.50


4. Witch Hazel
Replace those drugstore astringents with Witch Hazel. You can get a 16oz. bottle for about $3. It works just as well as any overpriced astringent for a cool facial refreshment after you wash and scrub your face. This works well for sensitive skin, so if you’ve ever been irritated by brand name toners or astringents try switching to witch hazel.

Price Comparison

Astringent (12fl.oz.) $5
Witch Hazel (16fl.oz.) $3

The “Do it Yourself” aspects of these alternatives are minimal and therefore you won’t have to worry too much about mixing and measuring. In addition, for around $8 you’ll get the beauty alternatives that will, more often than not, come in much larger sizes and, therefore, last longer than the drugstore beauty products that would cost you around $17. Saving even a small amount will go a long way, and you can always use extra pocket money or pad your stash if using the envelope system to prioritze and save cash. So, are you ready to dump some of those costly products?



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