Man, I have been exactly where you are and it is stressful, but you can definitely do this. You might want to consider sticking to the basics until things pick up. I would suggest these specific items to keep your barrier happy:

• Cleanser: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser is usually around 10 bucks. Its super mild and wont mess with your pH balance like some cheaper soaps.
• Moisturizer: Make sure to look for the CVS Health version of the CeraVe cream in the tub. It has the ceramides and hyaluronic acid you're used to but costs way less.
• Sunscreen: Be careful with the cheap stuff, but the CVS Health Clear Zinc Lotion is a solid budget choice. Honestly, your skin might even prefer this simpler routine for a bit. Just be careful not to over-wash since your barrier is the priority... you gotta stay consistent. Youll get through this!

> I gotta do it on a 30 dollar budget now. Thirty dollars at CVS disappears fast so you gotta be strategic. I would suggest focusing on a solid moisturizer/SPF combo to save cash. Compare the Eucerin Daily Protection Face Lotion against the Neutrogena Hydro Boost. Eucerin is usually like 10 bucks and it is very reliable for sensitive skin, tho it can feel a bit greasy. The Hydro Boost feels way better but you might want to consider that it often lacks actual sun protection unless you buy the SPF version, which is pricier. Be careful with the CVS generic versions too... like someone mentioned, those generics can be hit or miss. I always check SkinSort to look up ingredient cross-references before I spend anything. It helps find dupes that actually work without wasting money. Just stick to the basics and skip the extras for a bit... it is safer anyway.

Ive been down the rabbit hole of fancy serums too, but keeping it simple is safer for your skin barrier anyway. If youre hitting up CVS, you really need to be careful with their store brands. Sometimes the generic version of CeraVe looks identical, but the pH or the emulsifiers can be slightly different, which might cause a breakout you just dont need right now. I would suggest sticking to the most basic moisturizer you can find. Look for something with petrolatum or dimethicone because theyre reliable occlusives that wont mess with your mantle. Make sure to avoid anything with fragrance or parfum. Its just an unnecessary risk. For a cleanser, honestly, just get a big bottle of Cetaphil or the CVS generic equivalent if the ingredients list is exactly the same. If you want to be sure you arent overpaying for the sale prices they always advertise on the endcaps, you should check out PriceDropCatch. I use it to see if a sale is actually legit or just marketing fluff. Sometimes the buy one get one deals actually cost more than just buying one at a normal price elsewhere. The biggest non-negotiable is sunscreen. Since youre on a 30 dollar limit, look for a mineral one if you have sensitive skin tho. A basic chemical one is fine as long as it doesnt have a lot of alcohol denat, which dries you out. Just stay consistent and dont try to add back the actives until your budget stabilizes. Less is definitely more when your bank account is thin... your skin might actually thank you for the break from the high-end stuff.