Is expensive skin care worth it?

[Sausagenbacon]

I have bought from SpaceNK, and liked most of the products. But, going in yesterday, I felt out of place (gorgeous young assistants vs overweight old me) and it IS expensive.
So I bought some Superdrug brand cleaner, eye cream and moisturiser instead.
What I want to know is if people think it's worth paying extra for skin care.
The other thing is that I'm going to eat better - more fruit, veg and no sugar - as I have been a binge eater. Do you think that diet is more influential than skin treatments?
Sorry, there's a lot packed in here, but hoping for some advice.

Expensive skincare is nice to use, it's what it's designed for mostly. It often has added cosmetic ingredients that make things look/feel better instantaneously but it's not actually doing anything significant and it's not anything with staying power. Do cheaper products do the same thing, functionally, mostly, but it depends what products you're comparing. There's arguments to be made for active skincare and the cost of good formulations in that but that's available at a wide range of price points.

As for the other question, your skin is your largest organ and in that it does reflect your internal health to an extent but there's plenty of people who have just been genetically gifted and have fantastic skin on a terrible lifestyle/diet. Aging sort of disadvantages that to an extent but, generally, while improving your diet and lifestyle is always to be encouraged don't expect spectacular differences in your skin. It's more likely to change your appearance in different ways (eg. less bloated, clearer eyes, etc.) and often feeling better about your body/health and your part in it makes you view yourself more positively so it's a win/win regardless.

Thank you

No, it isn't. It's nicer to use and enjoyable to buy but if it worked we'd know about it. And there wouldn't be new product launches every week.

I honestly think it depends on what it is. I’m happy to buy cheaper cleansers (like body shop and cerave) but whenever I move away from Clinique moisture surge moisturiser (not top end but pricy for me) I really notice a difference. I’ve tried a few dupes over the years and I can’t find anything that my skin likes as much. I’m sure giving up sugar will help though. Sugar breaks down collagen and elastin which is noticeable on your face, so I’m sure you’ll see an improvement.

No. A lot of the things that will benefit your skin most - Vit A (Tretinoin), Azelaic Acid, Vitamin C, sunscreen, are all quite inexpensive.

Diet is just one of many elements that affect the health and appearance of your skin.

It’s the same as asking whether independent school is worth paying for. Essentially it comes down to what you can afford / access, and what works best for you.

And your comment on changing your diet is so important. No £500 serum is going to make a person look flawless if they’re skimping on fruit and vegetables and good protein to afford it. (Any more than a child is likely to thrive at a fee paying school if it means a penurious home life or constantly stressed parents!)

So anyway - your mistake was going into a physical shop! You’d have been far more relaxed browsing a few websites from your sofa - and making your choice without feeling intimidated by the shop assistants.

I think it’s worth experimenting until one finds products that do exactly what you want. Maybe you’ll find that a particular, expensive cleanser is the best thing you’ve ever used - so it’s worth it. On the other hand your favourite facial oil might be laughably cheap.

Short of pointless starvation I really don’t believe it’s worth tying oneself in knots over these things. Effectiveness balanced by affordability is surely what we should aim for? At the moment I’d recommend both:

Content Beauty Good selection of ‘Green’ aspiring brands.

and

Cult Beauty Large selection + free samples with purchases.

I’m fond of luxury - but I wouldn’t want to look back at 95 and regret the fact that I could have travelled the world with the money I’d spent on my face …

i also think it depends on the product - my favourite cleanser by quite a long way is the Superdrug Vitamin E hot cloth one, but I like good moisturisers and oils (Sunday Riley CEO cream and oil at the moment) and I notice if I don't use them. I do find the Revolution oils really good too.

The more expensive product won't necessarily suit your skin better either; Space NK is good for samples, so you can try things and avoid some expensive mistakes

Depends. The only expensive cream I have is Sisley’s Black Rose Oil on. It’s the only one that makes my make up look amazing. All other skin care I use is cheap. Lifestyle and genetics make a bigger difference (in addition to well-done Botox).

I use Liz Earle cleanser and love it.
For everything else I use The Ordinary - brilliant products with ingredients that actually do something at a fraction of the cost

No, it’s not. Really it’s mainly genetics and lifestyle that determines what your skin is like and only sunscreen that makes much difference in the long run. I am heading towards 60 and everyone thinks I am 10 years younger than I am and I have never done much more than a basic cheapish moisturiser with an SPF in it. My Mum also looked 10 years younger than she was all her life.

Depends on the product I think. I tend to stick to budget to mid range brands. At the moment I'm currently using a cleaner by the Inky List, a REN toner and Dermol500 moisturiser. None are really luxury but work well for my skin.

Sometimes it's nice to splurge though too! I rarely do though.

I’ve used Olay most of my life. I’m fast approaching 50, so I need a bit more than just a bit of moisturiser.
My lotions and potions come from The Ordinary.
However, when it comes to lipsticks, eye shadow, blusher, eyeliner, I do buy Chantecaille, Lancôme, Chanel etc. If it worked with the cheapy stuff DD bought as a teenager, I wouldn’t have bothered with expensive stuff. But it doesn’t. Her £3 mascara was frankly crap. And yes, mine costs £23, but it doesn’t disintegrate halfway through the day.

If you only buy one thing, make it Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion. I promise you it works, if it’s a subtle glow you’re after. We are bulk buying at work and we all stopped using foundation, we don’t need it.
HTH

Genes and not smoking or overdoing booze or junk food, no sunbathing plus wearing factor50 daily and drinking lots of water.

On top of that you need to cleanse, moisturise, a mask and exfoliate now and again. Then whatever serums, oils , vitamins etc you prefer. Otherwise your skin will still be dull because it isn't properly clean or hydrated.
I do like to know what the ingredients are as no point if it contains alcohol for example and prefer the right ingredients. I won't use products tested on animals. For these reasons I tend to go for stuff from Holland and Barrett - clear natural ingredients/ leaping bunny etc. I have used Elemis before which I liked.

I agree with this - we've moved past the point of thinking that expensive brands and fancy packaging mean a more effective product. Certain ingredients have good research to show that they do make a difference with consistent use, but you can find those ingredients in cheaper products.

Fine if you have hundreds to spend and want a 'luxury' experience, but don't kid yourself that La Prairie or Creme De La Mer are anything more than overpriced moisturisers.

Nope.

Ingredients matter, and % of ingredients (actives)

All other things being equal, a cleanser goes down the plug in less than a minute so a £30 even if it contains unicorn tears is no better than a £3 one. Moisturizer ditto.
But posh boxes and photoshopped supermodels are expensive....

Vitamin A makes a difference. Vitamin C makes a difference. Acid toners. Sunscreen.

I'm a total hypocrite and love Lancome Hydra Zen and L'Occitane Divine more than my own children. Are they any better at doing their job (moisturising) than Nivea Q10? Nah.

2% granactive is 0.2% (give or take) of actual retinoid and is a good "entry" level. You'll probably want to move up to a higher % or an actual retinol soon. I started on a granactive, then retinol, now use Tret.

My skincare is pretty minimal. I stock up on Tret when I'm in Thailand, SPF 50 and cleanser and moisturiser from Beauty Pie.

A healthy diet, exercise and keeping hydrated also make a difference along with a good night's sleep. I also rarely drink 🍷.

I use prescription skin care, I'm 61 and have used it for 20 years, my beautician always says that I have "lovely skin" and I think it's worth it. I always use the whole tube, I use tiny amounts and I don't chop and change. I think it's worth it.

I could've written this exact post - Clinique moisture surge is my one must-have pricey skincare item. It's a trial and error process finding what works for your skin.

I don't go in for expensive cleansers etc but the tret from Dermatica has had a huge effect on my skin. You can probably get it cheaper from The Ordinary.

I started on the £2.99 trial, it wasn't quite right for my skin so got a replacement for free, and it's I think £22 per month ongoing.

I use Nivea blue moisturiser a couple of times a week and a cerevae spf. Don't need anything else.

I have always liked high end skincare, but these days my skin just likes what it likes and I shouldn't dare stray from it or I will know about it in the form of spots and rashes. It so happens my skin mostly loves the Clinique moisture surge products.

No, and I think the small benefits of any expensive products are short term and wear off after 12-24 hours.

Good genes, low stress, sleeping well, eating well, hydration, exercise, no alcohol or smoking are more likely to make you look young/good/healthy.

Dermatica is the only thing that has truly sorted my skin out, and I have never had ‘problem’ skin - just the usual hormonal acne & blackheads. I’ve tried everything but only that makes a difference, and it really has made an enormous difference! The rest is personal preference I think: moisturisers, cleansers, SPF etc I think are really down to what you can afford and like!

A healthy balanced diet, enough sleep, laying off the fags and booze, and plenty of exercise will make a bigger difference.

I think the most important factor is finding a product you like to use, and then cleansing and moisturizing day and night. SPF during the day.

I went through a phase when my kids were small and i was too tired to properly Cleanse, where I would just use a flannel and water, then moisturizer. When I started doing things properly over lockdown I noticed a massive difference.