Beauty  

Luxury Skincare Products: Are They Worth The Splurge?

By Stella Okemuo

31 January 2021   |   11:10 am

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What is the hype about a luxury skincare product that tempts us to splurge? Exquisite packaging? Silky formula? Intoxicating scent? That’s it. But glamorous packaging aside, we do have to understand if these high-end products are really worth the splurge. Are their ingredients really that much powerful than their individual counterparts or are they simply…

Lady about to apply a facial moisturizer | Photo: The Independent

What is the hype about a luxury skincare product that tempts us to splurge? Exquisite packaging? Silky formula? Intoxicating scent? That’s it. But glamorous packaging aside, we do have to understand if these high-end products are really worth the splurge. Are their ingredients really that much powerful than their individual counterparts or are they simply overrated?

If I had a dollar for every time I would tell my friends in the past not to waste their money on X, Y, or Z luxury skincare product, I’d be well on my way to becoming an Oprah Winfrey level billionaire by now. In the past, I made the mistake of judging quality by the price. I always went for high-end skincare products because I believed pricey products meant effectiveness. I would watch ads of luxury skincare products that made numerous beauty promises such as reduction of wrinkles & fine lines, fading of stretch marks, facelift, reducing pores on the face, and many other promises. But the more I tried these luxury products; the more I became disappointed as some of them did absolutely nothing to my skin. This made me embark on research, and I soon realised the shady side of beauty marketing and slowly let go of my superficial presumptions.

Before splurging on any skincare products today, I research the ingredients, the formula, and most importantly, the brand. It is essential to understand your skin type and know what works for it. Skincare doesn’t need to be expensive or difficult.

Unlabelled facial cleansers with microbeads. Photo NewmarketToday

In addition to that, we often overlook homemade remedies which work amazingly too. For instance, puffy eyes (eye bags) which can be caused by various factors such as allergies, stress, and most people opt for expensive eye creams and medical procedures; however, less expensive home remedies such as cold cucumber slices, egg whites, and, potato slices can come to the rescue. I reacted to a skincare product some time ago, my face broke out in rashes and I turned to a homemade remedy. A mixture of blended oat and a teaspoon of baking soda restored my face within 1 week. However, it is best to seek a dermatologist or an aesthetician.

So, how do you decide whether to save or splurge on luxury skincare products?

1. RESEARCH- This is of utmost importance. Read the labels, get more information about the brand and make inquiries if need be.

2. CONSIDER THE WEIGHT- check how much product you’re getting for the price. Consider how long it may last for you in the long run.

3. READ REVIEWS- I do this all the time both for skincare and makeup products. Find credible reviewers and consider their opinion. It’s not indisputable of course, because how a product work can differ from one skin type to another, so what may work for me may not work for you. Nevertheless, this is a good starting point.

4. TEST IT- In the past, I have regretted splurging on some luxury skincare products. I now ask for samples whenever I can, to get a first impression of how my skin reacts to them

5. ADVERTISEMENT- Be wary of celebrity endorsements, they may be misleading. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of products that are marketed as having no side effects.

7. BUDGET – Set a budget for your skincare products. It certainly makes shopping easier.

8. EXPIRY DATE- Remember that most skincare products have a short shelf life. Some expire within 6-12 months. Consider this when buying skincare products, start by checking how often you use these products and whether it will finish before their date of expiry. This will guide you on what size of products to buy.

Lastly, remember that there is no correlation between the cost of a product and its ability to work on your skin. So do not fall into the ‘’higher price is always better’’ trap. If you’re simply looking for a product that will give you results, know that lower-priced (drugstore) options using simple formulas and commonplace ingredients can get the job done too. After all, thousands of positive reviews for Neutrogena, The Ordinary, Cerave, Garnier don’t lie.