The $11 serum Ellie Gonsalves rates for radiant skin.

When you think of the skincare routines of celebrities and experts in the beauty industry, you automatically just assume they're full of very expensive, fancy brands the average folk can't really afford to splurge on. Full of 'La Mer' this and 'caviar' that, etc. etc. 

However, as someone who regularly interviews all sorts of different names in the industry, I have to say, you'd be surprised to learn that it is quite the opposite.

I find that many of my guests on You Beauty's The Formula are partial to affordable products that get the job done without splurging.

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Take, for example, model, actor and businesswoman, Ellie Gonsalves. 

She’s fronted magazines and worked with brands like L'Oréal, FENTY Beauty, Gucci, and a You Beauty favourite, Ole Henriksen.

"Sometimes your skin just changes. I'm 33, my skin is different to what I was when I was 20, when I was 18, when I was 16. So really skin for me has been like a bit of a journey over time. It'll be the same when I'm 40, I probably won't be able to use some things that I'm using now," she said. 

One particular serum Ellie can't get enough of right now? The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution Serum, $10.70. Yep. (It's under 11 bucks — we love to see it!). 

Image: Myer/Canva.

"Most of my serums are from The Ordinary, it's just such an affordable product as well. But I've found that my skin just responds so well to that product. I'm not a product snob — if it works, it works. I'm not all about just using a super expensive skincare brand just for the hell of it just because it's supposed to be the best in the business," she told me. 

Hear, hear.

"I always love to ask my dermatologist if I should be using certain products with other products because sometimes they just don't go together," Ellie said. 

"So, I think that skincare education aspect is really, really important. When you are using things like retinols, retinoids and salicylic acid, you really need to know the product process of how you're supposed to put it on and layer it so it's the most effective that it can be."

Want to listen to the whole episode? Check it out below.

Perfect if you're someone who deals with congestion and breakouts, The Ordinary's Salicylic Acid helps clear clogged pores and slough off dead skin cells for a more even tone and texture.

Also on Ellie's list?

Equally as affordable serums like The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane Serum, $14.80 and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum, $17.

Speaking to the benefits of The Ordinary's Niacinamide Serum, Ellie shared: "That's probably the one product I really find that is crucial to my skincare routine, especially when it comes to having no breakouts. It's unreal."

"If I run out of that product and I don't have it for a few days, I instantly notice my skin changes."

And friends, you know you're dealing with some pretty good stuff when that happens!

But it's not just affordable products for The Ordinary Ellie has on rotation. She's also a fan of Patchology Eye Revive FlashPatch 5 Minute Hydrogels, $25, for more hydrated under eyes. 

"I love the Patchology Face Masks — they're actually really amazing. And the eye gel [masks] as well. I love to do the hydrating one!"

Have you tried these products before? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

Feature image: Instagram/@ellie_gonsalves.