For most of us, dropping $50 to $100 on skincare is no trivial matter, even if the product is fabulous and the gift with purchase perfect. We all want to see results in our skin, be the benefits less wrinkles, reduced redness or fewer blemishes. But never before have they been so advanced, exciting or — expensive. With the cost of skincare climbing, how do you decide if the ends justify the means? Find out so you can stay on budget.
Essential ingredients
Today, an exciting — and certainly expensive — ingredient is the essential oil. From face creams and serums to body scrubs and toners, the valuable properties of essential oils pop up in all areas of skincare.
Yet what makes one product containing lavender essential oil more costly than another? According to Valerie Hoffman, author of The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy, the type of oil is a major factor. One hundred percent pure essential oils rarely cost the same amount; different plants yield different amounts of oil, which in turn causes the price to change.
Indeed, the discrepancy between prices can seem radical: Humble lime oil costs very little per ounce, whereas pure sandalwood essential oil can cost upwards of $50 to $100. In fact, it’s actually a mark of quality when essential oils are priced individually, and only the purest forms of these should ever be used in skincare.
What does this mean to you? Before making any purchase, do your homework. Investigate all ingredients, learn their properties and read all labels. If you know the cost of an essential oil per ounce is expensive, yet see a skincare product claiming to have a high percent of this oil on sale for $2, you can get a sense of the quality of these ingredients.
Certainly not all skincare needs to cost an exorbitant amount to be good quality, but cutting corners with ingredients is just one way that you can be misinformed that a $5 skin cream is as effective as one that costs $40 or $50.
More for your money
Buying in bulk isn’t just for groceries. Another really important consideration is packaging size. What might seem like an unbelievable deal for $12 is in reality half the size of a product you could buy for $22.
Be sure to check the sizes of all products you’re thinking of buying and weigh the cost per ounce. Even if you do end up spending a few extra dollars up front for a larger tube, typically you get more for your money when you buy in bulk.
Pure pigments
Where color cosmetics are concerned, pigment is a critical factor. If the lipstick you purchase has diluted or sheer pigments, it won’t matter how much you apply — the color might not show up. How can you tell?
The easiest way is to test the product on your skin. If testing the color isn’t an option, read the description of the products and also check the ingredients. You may find valuable clues to the density and quality of the pigments in the product in both of these places.
If the description of the product is “sheer,” “a wash of color” or “barely there,” chances are the pigments won’t be deep. If you’re looking for a softer finish, then this will be good news. But if you’re going for a smoky eye and need inky black eyeliner, a sheer finish isn’t going to deliver the result you want.
The beauty industry is ever-evolving, with newer and more exciting products joining the ranks next to old-standbys. And certainly the variety and choice is a consumer’s dream. By carefully analyzing size, descriptions, labels and most importantly ingredients, you’ll be able to tell which products are best for you and your budget.
See also:
Double-Duty Products That Ease Your Routine
Beauty on a Budget: Where to Spend Your Money