Taking care of your skin is a necessity but it can get expensive real fast, especially with the misconception that expensive is always better. While there are certain items where price matters, there are a number of other items in your skincare regime that you can get on the cheap. For the purpose of flawless skin that doesn’t break the bank, I did some research to find out what most dermatologists think is worth spending money on, versus the products that are effective and affordable.
Take a look at 5 skincare products to save on and splurge on below!
SAVE:
Face Wash:
Our Pick: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser – $15.97
There are a plethora of dermatologist recommended face washes like Cetaphil that you can purchase at the drugstore for under $15. A cleanser is only on your face for a matter of minutes so you only really need something with basic ingredients. Unless you have highly acne prone skin, you don’t need a specialized formula.
Toner:
Our Pick: Thayer’s Witch Hazel – $14.39
You might be surprised by this one, but toners aren’t necessarily something you need to pay an arm and a leg for. Thayer’s Witch Hazel is one of the best products I’ve ever used and it’s under $15. There are also a lot of cost-effective, natural remedies you can use as toners such as apple cider vinegar that work just as well.
Daily Lotion:
Our Pick: Neutrogena Oil-Free Daily Moisturizer – $13.97
Once again, daily lotions are something you can save on and grab from the drugstore unless you have very reactive skin. Unlike a night cream or serum that goes on before bed (when the skin regenerates), a daily lotion is only meant to protect your skin and keep the PH balanced during the day.
Makeup Remover:
Our Pick: Garnier SkinActive Micellar Water – $8.47
Since a makeup removers sole purpose is to simply “remove makeup” so any fancy ingredients are totally unnecessary. There are a ton of drugstore options available like Garnier’s Micellar Water that take off makeup easily without stripping away the skin’s natural oils.
Lip Balm:
Our Pick: Burt’s Bees Replenishing Lip Balm – $4.55
Lip balm is the final product on my list of items to save on. There are plenty of great brands like Burt’s Bees, that will get the job done, minus any extra bells and whistles that pricier products may claim to have. Lip care is generally simple; an ingredient like Vitamin E will do what is needed.
SPLURGE
Eye Cream:
Our Pick: Dermalogica Intensive Eye Repair Cream – $82
The skin under our eyes is highly sensitive and different than the skin on our face, and therefore needs different care. This area is also prone to fine lines and aging so splurging on a specialized product is recommended. Plus, despite the hefty price tag good eye creams carry, a little goes a long way!
Serums:
Our Pick: Sunday Riley U.F.O Clarifying Oil – $50
Even if you’re buying an all-in-one serum, and not something targeted, serums are definitely worth investing in. Made from smaller molecules than face lotions, serums are meant to penetrate the skin on a deeper level, and have more science behind their formulas, hence the bigger price tag.
Sunscreen:
Our Pick: Shiseido Oil-Free SPF 42 Sunscreen – $40
Sunscreen is one of those things you don’t want to skimp on. Not only do you want a product that has a broad spectrum, but additionally a lotion that won’t clog your pores. Never use a regular sunscreen on your face, as it’s not formulated for this purpose and may cause oil build-up and breakouts.
Exfoliators:
Our Pick: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant – $82
Ask any dermatologist and they’ll tell you exfoliating is one of the most important steps for anti-aging and skin cell turnover. Many drugstore options with beads etc. seem like they’re working, but can actually be damaging. You’re going to want to spend more on a product that is proven to be gentle, yet still resurfaces and gets the job done.
Anti-Aging Creams:
Our Pick: Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream – $92
If your goal is to target fine lines and the appearance of aging, make sure to invest in a product with retinol as the active ingredient. While you can find cheaper products with retinol, be weary, as they tend to have less potency. Typically the pricer products will have a higher dose of active ingredient.
Featured Image: Instagram/@ohuprettythings
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