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5 Pakistani skincare products under Rs500 that actually work

5 Pakistani skincare products under Rs500 that actually work

Turns out you don't have to break the bank to get good skin!
Updated 22 Oct, 2016

Who says you have to break the bank in order to look your best?

Yes, there are many expensive skincare products that are considered the holy grail by beauty aficionados; I'm one of those people. The amount I spend on skincare products is something I can't disclose because I'm tired of being told I have a problem. I am not an addict! I can quit whenever I want, okay!?

Recently I made a trip to the mall and the only thing I needed was a locally produced product. I realised this is one product I always need to have in my skincare arsenal. But what if they're more? What other products can I get from local beauty brands that'll do the trick for the my skin? Because lets be honest, as Pakistanis our skin concerns differ from those of consumers in the United States or Europe or East Asia, where many big brands are based and manufactured.

We know that in Karachi, a foreign product that'll promise you a 'dewy' complexion will basically convert your skin into a surface to fry an egg on. We need products tailored for our skin's needs and the best way to do that is to check out our own local brands!

But guess what? We didn't wanna stop there!

I know you guys, come on, yes I do. Why spend half our salary on one face mask? I need to spend my paycheck on food, so I need to make sure the stuff I get is affordable. Also, the conspiracy theorist in me claims that most expensive products are a hoax and it's just branding that makes people obsess over them.

So I went through my own stash and compiled five amazing skincare products from Pakistani brands that are under Rs500.

1) Sandal Powder by Saeed Ghani

Price: Rs150

While this list is in no particular order, I need this single-use product to be number one. Anyone who knows me knows that I rave about this powder like crazy. Just add water and turn it into a mask, or even add it to your favorite scrub for the extra freshness.

Use it once or twice a week for fresh skin
Use it once or twice a week for fresh skin

I use it like a mask and when I wash it off I look like I have BB cream on. The freshness and the squeaky clean look it gives makes you wonder exactly how much dirt was stuck in your skin.

Saeed Ghani has outlets all over Karachi from Dolmen Mall to Atrium.

2) Apricot Oil by Aura Crafts

Price: Rs380

I've been following Aura Crafts for a while. I tried their soaps before I got this. But this oil got me interested. I've said it many times before: there's a way to fight oil with oil. This apricot oil is one of them. It's thick but not as thick as castor or almond oil.

Don't let oil intimidate you; there's a way to fight oil with oil
Don't let oil intimidate you; there's a way to fight oil with oil

It seems like a good dupe for argan oil actually. Plus it's not just for facial cleansing, it can be used for body too. My skin doesn't feel greasy after using it. It feels like I have one of those velvet primers on. It's great for winters but also on heavy and harsh makeup days, this is what your skin needs to heal.

3) Kiss of Youth (Orange face freshener mask) by N'ecos

Price: Rs150

Are you related to me and by that I ask, are you the laziest person on the planet?

I don't always have the patience for facials, but heck yeah I want good skin and when I discovered this little power pack, I was sold!

This little gem gives you an instant facial pick-me-up
This little gem gives you an instant facial pick-me-up

The extracts from oranges are great for controlling inflammation and give the face an instant pick-me-up.

4) Radiance (Sea salt mask/scrub) by Organic Secrets

Price: Rs400

I am a fan of this brand in general. From their soaps to their shampoo, I am eager to try all their products. So this mask/scrub was a must on my list.

The product lives up to its name and gives your face a great detox
The product lives up to its name and gives your face a great detox

Radiance works in three ways; you apply it like a scrub, leave it on like a mask and wash it off like a cleanser. The result is smooth and squeaky clean skin. It's a great detox for the skin and for the price, it's a steal!

5) Fruit Therapy (Body and face bar) by Body Care Essentials

Price: Rs150

I discovered this brand at an arts and crafts festival. Its scent lured me to the stall and I bought it without thinking twice. And I'm glad I did.

Special shoutout to products that do the trick AND smell good
Special shoutout to products that do the trick AND smell good

The watermelon and strawberry scent is a new favourite of mine because of this bar and I love how this soap doesn't leave my face feeling too dry and tight. Instead, it's soft on the skin and almost gives a glow. Did I mention it smells amazing?

These brands have many other products worth trying out and I love them, not just becuase they are our own brands but because for the price, they pack a punch!


This article previously mentioned that Saeed Ghani's Sandal Powder was priced at Rs60, the brand has now increased its product's price to Rs150. We apologise for an inconvenience caused to our readers.

The writer can be reached on Twitter.

Do you know of any amazing Pakistani skincare products that won't break the bank? Leave your comments below!

Comments

Maryam Oct 20, 2016 11:08am
except for the first one, where can one find the others in Islamabad?
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FH Oct 20, 2016 11:25am
Appreciate your effort.
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anum Oct 20, 2016 11:37am
where can I get them? please give us links to online stores of these brands
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ghinva raza Oct 20, 2016 11:48am
@ Sonia ashraf..thanks girl.i love your blog already!!! keep it coming!! I myself is a sucker for local products..& when ever I'm in Karachi I love to take a longest trip to empress market in the bus with my sister to grab some awesome organic products for skin & hair..i never heard of these local brands..im surely going to order online some stuff reall soon... Thanks again...
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UBAID Oct 20, 2016 12:40pm
Body Care Essentials is now available at Pharmacie Plus located at Khaybane- Sehar D.H.A Karachi. Radiant sea salt mask is a product of HUB SALT product , can't get the place to buy. These products can be purchased from N’eco’s Natural Store & Café Dolmen Mall, Shop # LG-8,
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KnowTheTruth Oct 20, 2016 12:53pm
the sale of cosmetics is inversely proportional to the beauty index and self esteem of consumers
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Ali Shan Khaliq Oct 20, 2016 01:00pm
can these product are applying to mans skin ? and alse let me know please where is saeed Ghani Outlets in hyderabad sindh
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Parvez Oct 20, 2016 01:30pm
What did the chai walla use ?
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Asim Oct 20, 2016 01:55pm
What an amazing way to market/support local brands. A big thanks to the writer!
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Ismail Oct 20, 2016 02:00pm
I have never seen these products in Lahore.
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xyz Oct 20, 2016 02:22pm
All are aurvedic old indian medicenes made from vgetables, fruits and herbs, pakistan should concentrate on its nonveg unani medicenes
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Harry Oct 20, 2016 02:56pm
i want these in islamabad........................ :/
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Atyf Oct 20, 2016 04:19pm
great great! good job... where to find these products ?? except saeed ghani's :D
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Atyf Oct 20, 2016 04:19pm
And yeah anything for boys??? any researchhh ?
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Saba Muzaffar Oct 20, 2016 04:38pm
Where did you get this organic secret product?
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Azeez Oct 20, 2016 05:31pm
South Indian States of Kerala,Karnataka and Tamilnadu are the three places in the world where Sandal wood trees grows
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ak4pk Oct 21, 2016 04:01am
@UBAID : Hub Salt is owned by my cousins, didn't know they are into beauty products as well. Pleasantly surprised!
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Faisal Rana Oct 21, 2016 07:17am
What about Tibet Snow cream for Kohinoor. it's a classic.
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Hamza Oct 21, 2016 07:18am
@Maryam You can find pure organic apricot oil at M&S dry fruit shop no 8. cresent Plaza, F-10 markaz Islamabad
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Hamza Oct 21, 2016 07:36am
pure organic apricot oil available at M&s dry fruit shop no 8 crecent plaza F-10 markaz Islamabad.
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Faeza Oct 21, 2016 09:43am
What a great information.thanks. except for Saeed Ghani and N'eco's. Where do I find rest of the products in Khi
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Noshin Oct 21, 2016 02:04pm
Good
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sasha Oct 22, 2016 10:56am
which place can i buy them from ?? in lahore
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sasha Oct 22, 2016 10:57am
Which place can i get these recommended products from ????
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Nusser Oct 22, 2016 12:05pm
Great article. Thank you. Harvest tree products are fantastic, and most are under Rs 500. The rose water, massage oils, hair oils, soaps, scrubs and face oils are popular. They are available online and through their Facebook page. I recommend that you check them out.
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hafsa Oct 22, 2016 08:47pm
where might we find the rest of the products (apart from the saeed ghani one?) :)
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