You don't have to spend half your hard-earned paycheck on skincare products to stay wrinkle or pimple-free. That said, slathering household condiments on your face to avoid paying for the good stuff isn't necessary either. Dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban and P&G scientist Mary Begovic Johnson helped us compare products with similar ingredients that are very different in cost. Here's what we found:
Gentle CleansersLess: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, $8
Luxe: CellCeuticals Extremely Gentle Skin Cleanser, $35
Ingredients in action: Both cleansers are non-irritating, non-comedogenic and contain gentle, non-soap dirt lifters and moisturizers (like glyceryl cocoate in the pricier version) to gently clean skin. And the winner is: The pricier version is chock-full of additional humectants (like glycerin) to help water bind to skin and moisturizers (amino acids), but the drugstore brand's simplistic formula and dirt-cheap price tag are why derms continue to recommend it.
Facial ScrubsLess: Clean & Clear Morning Burst Detoxifying Facial Scrub, $7
Luxe: Cosmedicine Medi-Morphosis Self-Adjusting Exfoliator, $38
Ingredients in action: Red algae found in the drugstore scrub "helps skin absorb oxygen" to reveal healthier skin underneath. The pricier version contains witch hazel and sodium dehydroacetate (both natural anti-bacterial agents) in addition to scrub granules for the same effect. And the winner is: The cheaper scrub's man-made microbeads are round so there's little chance of skin damage from over-scrubbing. The particles in the expensive product are made from silica crystals (aka sand) that dissolve in seconds, making over-exfoliating impossible. You shouldn't scrub on a daily basis anyway, so the pricier bottle will last a while!
Face Cleansing DevicesLess: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Rejuvenator, $40
Luxe: Clarisonic Skincare Brush, $195
Products in action: The drugstore doodad includes a scrubbing pad pre-loaded with tiny crystals and glycerin that smooth skin as the pad vibrates. The fancier version's vibrating brush gently removes the stratum corneum (top protective layer of skin) to allow better absorption of skin care products. And the winner is: Both products remove dead skin, but the expensive machine's soft bristled-brush is safe for all skin types. The gentle bristles make it pretty impossible to over-scrub and the rechargeable battery means you'll only have to buy one once -- a worthy investment for beautiful skin forever!
Daily Moisturizers with SPFLess: Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Sun-Damage Daily Moisturizer SPF 28, $13
Luxe: Wei East Multi-tasking Day Cream SPF 15, $38
Ingredients in action: Each contains antioxidants (lycopene in the cheaper version and golden root in the pricier cream) to fight off free radical damage from pollutants like car exhaust and cigarette smoke. They both have respectable SPF ratings -- 28 in the drugstore brand and 15 in the high-end version. And the winner is: The formula and scent of the expensive product are luxurious, but lycopene in the drugstore brand is fat-soluble, which helps the lotion penetrate the skin. That plus a higher SPF rating and a touch of vitamin C make it a must-have.
Eye Creams with SPFLess: Dove Pro-Age Eye Treatment with SPF 8, $14
Luxe: Lancome Bienfait Multi-Vital Eye SPF 28 Sunscreen, $36
Ingredients in action: Both tout broad-spectrum sunscreens and a heavy concentration of glycerin to moisturize skin. The pricier version has additional ingredients like caffeine (to reduce swelling) and vitamin B5 (to condition skin). And the winner is: The high-end product has an incredible blend of goodies to keep your eye area soothed, but the cheaper cream's basic formula will soothe skin with zero chance of irritation. Plus you get the instant gratification of brighter eyes from its light-reflective particles.
Night TreatmentsLess: Biore Restore Skin Boosting Night Serum, $10
Luxe: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrate, $85
Ingredients in action: Vitamin A in the drugstore product is the superstar responsible for skin cell turnover. It also hosts vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps repair minor skin damage. The pricy version is loaded with antioxidants and anti-irritants like amentoflavone and grape seed extract. And the winner is: Additional additives in the cheaper treatment like chamomile, rose hip and aloe soothe and calm skin but added ingredients in the expensive product like linoleic acid and wheat bran (to strengthen skin), and cholesterol and hyaluronic acid (to restore skin's barrier function), give this product the power to make serious changes.
Firming CreamsLess: Olay Professional Pro-X Hydra Firming Cream, $42
Luxe: Aveda Green Science Firming Face Cream, $55
Ingredients in action: Palmitoyl peptides in the drugstore brand stimulate cells to perk up saggy skin. That paired with hexamidine increases skin's thickness. Cactus in the pricier cream has been shown to build collagen. Plus it contains glucosamine which can enhance skin's natural plumpness. And the winner is: Vitamin E and shea butter in the expensive product smooth skin to reduce the look of fine lines -- and it is hard to resist the dreamy smell of anything mostly plant-derived but give the drugstore brand a chance. Its hero additive (vitamin B3) strengthens skin and repairs the moisture barrier, making thinner-skinned areas look less crepey.
Anti-Aging SerumsLess: L'Oreal Paris Advanced Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate Clinical Action, $17
Luxe: Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster Serum Line Minimizer and Complexion Enhancer, $125
Ingredients in action: Retinol in the drugstore product is responsible for skin cell turnover. It also contains moisturizing glycerin and a patented ingredient called Pro-Lastyl that claims to stimulate elastin production to reduce fine lines. Hyaluronic acid and palmitoyl peptides in the high-end product increase moisture and build collagen. And the winner is: Oodles of added ingredients in the expensive serum like wheat protein, glycerin and panthenol will enhance skin's suppleness and improve texture. But choosing the cheaper product will give you the power of vitamin A, which has been dubbed by derms as the "holy grail" in anti-aging regimes. (
TBW)
Now, check your skin care basket and see if you are overspending on things that you aren't supposed to. Me? Guilty! I need to reevaluate and make sure to spend only on things that will be worth every penny. I don't need to necessarily scrimp, I just need to be a little wiser. Here's a list of the current skin care products I use:
1. The Face Shop Rice Water Brightening Emulsion
2. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (The gentlest skin cleanser ever.)
3. The Face Shop Rice Water Toner
4. The Face Shop Rice Water Creamy Emulsion
5. The Face Shop Tea Tree Vita Emulsion
6. Ponds Age Miracle Daily Resurfacing Cream (I soooo love this product!)
7. Nivea Refreshing Fluid Protect SPF30
8. Ponds Age Miracle Overnight Repair Dream Cream with CLA
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Ponds Age Miracle Daily Resurfacing Cream - A high performance cream to defy signs of aging. Contains the most advanced CLA 4 Complex Formed from AHA, Retinol & Retinol Boosters. Reduces appearance of fine lines & wrinkles in 7 days. Fights against the harmful effect of UV rays Leaves skin smooth, beautiful & young looking.
