AIBU to spend more on skincare products?

[Nicebucket]

My colleagues and I were having a chat today about how much we spend on various things a month.

It was a lighthearted discussion, but I still ended up feeling a bit judged and shamed! Apparently, none of my other female colleagues spend as much as I do on skincare and things.

For starters, I have problem skin. You name it, I've had it. Eczema, Acne, pigmentation, allergies, vitiligo. Have them all. So I'm paranoid about what I put on my face, and frankly most things cause one issue or another to flare up.

I'm not a brand snob at all, and I prefer cheaper stuff if it suits my skin, but for some things, I find that I have to spend a bit more. Like for moisturisers and sunscreen for the face, I tried everything and Clinique was the only thing that didn't cause rashes and breakouts. And Clinique isn't cheap...

I have to cut back elsewhere, but I've always made the effort for my skin.

My colleagues (who have great skin) just didn't get it. I felt like I am precious about all this and they just didn't believe that Clinique was the only thing that suited my skin!

I know I shouldn't look for validation and in the end it's my money to spend, but I came away feeling really shamed.

Does anyone else on a moderate income (not rich at all) use higher end skincare or is it literally just me?

I love chanel make up, but cant use their skincare. La mer is my favorite, been using it for years and it works for me.
I love it, you should spend you money how you wish to spend it and it really is nobody elses business.
It is my belief that you get what you pay for skincare wise, with the odd exception, and i have very sensitive skin.

Ooooh I couldn't afford chanel or La mer! Clinique is just about affordable for me and Shiseido I get in bulk from my holidays in Asia (comes to half the price that way)

But I also believe that with skincare we get what we pay for.

I've found that for sensitive skin at least, the slightly better brands are more effective. Might be the quality of ingredients, not sure/

I think you are right that it is noticeable for sensitive skin. I don't have sensitive skin and can use cheap as chips Superdrug and Aldi products or more expensive Boots Protect and Perfect and not notice any difference.

In your position I'd definitely shell out on decent skincare.

I'm lucky my skin is good and I can put anything on it so I don't spend much.

However my hair is mousy so I get frequent highlights. I'm also overweight so most cheap clothes look unflattering and I buy well cut ones when I can afford it.

Xmasbaby- I agree, it's a matter of individual priorities and needs then isn't it?

Nicebucket in a way you're being economical now that you've found what works and you don't need to waste money buying products that you can't use. Have you tried Strawberrynet for Clinique? I've used them a lot, the prices are reasonable, delivery quick and the products are genuine.

A poster upthread asked about the cookbook indexing service. I'm not sure if this is the one that was referred to, but Eatyourbooks is great.

Are you on Facebook? There is a group on there called 'Mrs Gloss and the Goss' and it ls really great

Whenever I click on a skincare/makeup thread someone pops up urging people to join this facebook group. They're more enthusiastic than the Mormons that try and stop me in the street.

OP I can't imagine judging someone for the cosmetics they choose to spend their money on. Don't allow yourself to feel shamed, maybe they're just people who wouldn't dream of spending Clinique prices (which aren't even at the higher end of the scale) and were expressing surprise. And that's fine! But if they were genuinely disapproving well just tell them it's your money and your business.

I love skincare but don't believe in 'we get what we pay for' i.e expensive is always better. A lot of high end products have few active ingredients but big PR and advertising budgets. Ingredients that make an actual difference to your skin are things like retinol, vitamin c, niacinamide, SUNSCREEN, glycolic acid.

But if you've found something that works for you stick with it and ignore any shocked frugaleers!

I am lucky that I have great skin and look much younger than my real age

Ah that old MN reliable!

I suffer badly from eczema and the only thing that stops mine breaking out is Liz Earle

I don't have sensitive skin but Liz Earle is the one product to have turned me into a big spotty mess.