From the article: Beauty Product of the Day
Some people swear by high-end skin care lines, while others feel drugstore beauty brands are just as good. Do you splurge on skin care products, or do you stick with what you can find at Target? Weigh in on why you think the money you spend on skin care products is right for you. Share Your Regimen
You only get one skin...
- I understand that some skincare products can cost people an arm and a leg. Obviously, when that's the case, find something less expensive that does the job similarly well. That being said, you only get one skin, and it will look however you chose to treat it. If you would drop the money on a bag, a pair of shoes, etc., spend that money on your skincare too (or instead). It's a worthy investment. I use a mix of products, ranging from drugstore to high end. My daily products come from Olay (drugstore), Credentials (amazing and affordable), La Roche Posay (mid-high), and REN (high end).
- —Guest Dana
Skincare discovery
- Like many I believed that spending money on cosmetics is not worth it. I was jumping from product to product trying to find what works. Ultimately I found my regimen. I shower and wash my face almost daily. In the morning I usually use a few drops of a perfecting serum. There are several varieties by Estée Lauder and they are all pretty good. After that I mix Estée Lauder spotlight cream with Patricia Wexlers daily moisturizer and apply all over face and neck. Next I cover any blemishes with Estée Lauder double light foundation and apply bronzed or shimmer by bodyworks. At night I wash my face with either Origins mud scrub or Yves Rocher Riche cleanser. I sometimes use Oil of Olay daily scrub cleanser in the absence of the two. At night I rarely apply a lot of product, again a drop or two of the Estée Advanced night repair or Yves Rocher ADN works wonders.
- —Guest Almost 40
It depends on your age.
- When you were young like at age under 30, your skin is nearly perfect. So you can use something that is at high price. But if your age is about 40 and you wish to look young. Honestly you need something more expensive. Those products not only give you moisturizing but also can stimulate your skin mechanism. But if you don't mind about aging & sagging, cheap products are still ok.
- —siuhung
Both
- By this I mean save on hair coloring and do it yourself and splurge on good products. It pays off.
- —othergirl2
Depends
- I agree that some high end products are great. I swear by Estée Lauder's Advanced Night Repair. Don't by it often, but i love the product. That being said, keep it simple. Some generic products are great because they use less additives. I found a supermarket moisturiser with just four ingredients to work wonders. The simplicity of the components means it's gentle on the skin. When it comes to skin care, set a good budget. Determine what you would be happy to spend, and add 10-20% on top of that. That's the difference between walking away with a basket full of generic products that don't always work.
- —Guest Brian Lau
Invest in good skin care
- The key to good skin, like most things, is to invest in it. If your house was beaten up, you wouldn't buy a load of old split wood and waterbased paint for the roof. Just like your skin, it pays to pay a little extra. I find the more expensive brands, cut out all of the rubbish and fillers (like water.. if aqua is the first ing on the back, your likely to be just buying mostly water). Because they are more concentrated they last longer, because you need less. Its paying more up front, rather than spreading the cost. I have found if you buy cheap, you get harsh, usually stripping, chemical filled products. Not saying expenisve bands are all good though. Do your research
- —Guest Sean
Getting gorgeous skin. . .
- My best feature is my skin. This is from a makeup artist ladies. Skin care isn't something to skimp on and either is your foundation. Mascaras and eyeshadows are two things you can save money on. I swear by Estee Lauder skin care. It is the best out there and my skin is flawless. It is not stupid or frivolous to feel good or look good. It's where you're priorities lie I suppose. But then again when you are 50 years old then you will look like a wrinkly old hag and will come begging to a department store cosmetic line to fix your years of cheap spending on skin care. Like I said it is an investment and when you don't invest, then you are going to age and your skin isn't going to be clean, clear and look as good as it could. Personally I do not put a dollar amount on how my face looks.
- —Guest Sarah
In the search of moisturizer
- Good skin care products can be a pain to find. The few products I have actually adored - Garnier bodycocoon from a foodstore and Ziaja skin regeneration olive body butter from beauty boutique 'eve' (both under 10 $) - are the fruit of never ending search for the ultimate moisturizer. And boy has that taken years and lightened my wallet quite a bit. It is a price to pay but I would say it's worth it for me when I find THE product(s). I am not one of the lucky women who have the cash to try anything they want but I have my eyes open for anything within my comfort limits. Therefore a nice salesperson is a blessing for someone like me, you say what you're looking for and they whirl around the shop like a mini tornado. Regardless it takes a hard thinking before a purchase and that's why freebies are the deal in my books. All in all I am willing to pay a bit more for something that gives me THE feeling. Moisturizer is a bit like a new dress. You just know.
- —Guest Glasses
It Depends
- There are certainly times where an inexpensive product can hold it’s own against the luxury brands. One product in particular is Dr Denese Exfoclean Cleanser and at $19, it is a steal. In my opinion it is the best all-around cleanser and one bottle will actually last you at least 6 months!
- —Guest Michelle
Splurge on the Best
- I splurge on skin care products from D'Arcy because even though some of the items are pricey, they're made with natural and European ingredients that feel AMAZING and they last me for a while.
- —Guest Erin
It depends on your skin type
- I have tried several cheaper products found at Target, Walmart and the local drugstore and have never found anything that truly made my skin look and feel good. I have really sensitive, acne-prone, super oily skin that is very picky. I have friends who swear by Oil of Olay, but their products just made my skin break out and turn bright red. I've tried loads of expensive products, as well, that did the same thing. I just started using Philosophy products and so far so good. So, it all just depends on your skin and what works for you.
- —Guest Jennifer
Do what's right for your skin
- I'm a product junkie and I enjoy trying new products regardless of whether they are sold mass or dept. What is important is if the product does what is claims to do and my skin behaves well with it. I personally use a combination of dept. and mass brand products. I enjoy Aveno Cleansing pads, Olay regenerist exfoliator, Vichy Aqualia Thermal Lotion, Murad pigment corrector and essential c night cream, La Roche Posey Anthelios sunscreen!
- —Runrgurl26
Whatever You're Comfortable With
- Great question, should you splurge or should you not?? I think you should do whatever you are comfortable with and by that I mean your budget. Though spending a little extra on skincare products I think can go a long way. Taking care of yourself and pampering your skin is so rewarding in the way you look and feel. Skincare products are a personal choice and can take some time to find the right one for you. Daily scrubs and facials are such a wonderful thing for your skin, as the skin takes such a daily beating. So in conclusion I think it is a personal choice and can be fun finding your right skincare product fit.
- —Guest Ann S
Save $$$$ - Mass Market Is The Way to Go
- I used to spend on whatever was the "trendy" product of the moment. Then I realized that high end brands just cost more and it has truly been YEARS since any dept store brand has been truly innovative. All the best new products/new discoveries are coming from mass market brands. Plus the dept store brands are actually raising prices or bringing out products that are way out of the price range of most of us in this current economy. I had to cut costs and stumbled across Boots at Target. The products work and work better then my prior dept store brand regimen AND cost about 1/2 the price. I think the beauty industry giants need to call "1-800-getaclue", reducfe the prices and make products that work before their wallets start to look like the rest of America's wallets!
- —Guest Jenn
Save only if it works!
- I have been on Proactiv and now Soothe from Rodan and Fields all my life because the cheaper drugstore brands never worked for me. i am all about saving money but if it doesnt work its a waste of money. My boyfriend had dry skin due to a medical burn and we wasted tons on money on drugstore brands that didnt help or made it worse. he has been on the Soothe 2 weeks and his dry skin is gone and his skin no longer hurts him. I dont think of it as splurging if it saves us the money of trying everything in the drugstore.
- —Guest Beth
Definitely save
- Who has the money to spend $30 on a lotion? Especially when you can get double the amt at Walmart for $5? I think it's just stupid to spend so much money on frivolous things.
- —Guest Sarah
