I received an interesting email question from reader, Wan a while ago, where she asked me what sorts of skincare I’d splurge on. Basically, out of the different products I use, which ones will I splurge on and on the flip side, which I might save on.
Well, Wan the answer might be glaringly obvious in the photo above 😀
I have, over the years, used products from the very high end of the price spectrum, down to the low end from the pharmacies. Some products I use still come from the pharmacies although I am increasingly drawn to pricier counterparts.
It’s never the case that cheap = bad and expensive = good. It is all about how it works for your skin, how much you can afford at any given time and your personal beliefs. So, let me tell you the type of products I’d splurge on and why don’t you share your thoughts with me as well? 🙂
When it comes to skincare, the products I splurge on and dig deep into my pockets for are my serums, face oils and anti-aging creams. Primarily, I splurge on serums.
Higher concentration of ingredients and higher quality make it more pricey
I have learned from trial and error over the years that for a serum to work, the concentration of ingredients has to be high. Higher concentrations of ingredients come at a price so efficacy of a product too, comes at a price.
For face oils, I want that high quality oils be used in the product. The higher the oil quality, similarly the higher the price tag. If it contains essential oils, I too want something of high quality. So while I don’t doubt that there are affordable options out there (which is great if they exist), I will pay for a higher quality oil product and this applies to both face and body.
Anti-aging products too get my money, because again, for it to work, it needs a high concentration of ingredients and that comes at a price tag. So during leaner times, I’d save on everything else – cleanser, toner, moisturiser but I’d splurge on a serum.
I save on cleansing oils but not on cleansing balms
When I use an emulsifying cleansing oil, I go for cheap options, because I’ve found that cheap or expensive, they all work the same on me and most of them do use mineral oil anyway. But when I use a cleansing balm, I’m not above paying a little more for a high quality one. Ditto toners. I have found that some toners actually work on my skin to make it look better, and they cost more, while the ones that just “do the job” cost less.
I save on face sheet masks
I have used face sheet masks from the high end brands and the cheaper pharmacy brands and I’d do the lower end ones any time. I still like L’Herboflore a lot (not pharmacy but not expensive) and on other days, I go with My Beauty Diary. I have good results from both of these brands and they are affordable per use so I don’t mind using them more often, the way I should! There’s no point having an expensive product that I’d only be able to bear using once a month when I could be using something more affordable once a week and get better results!
Good products can be found at the pharmacies
Ultimately though, it still doesn’t mean that an expensive product will work for your skin where a more affordable option may suffice. Pharmacy brand options like Vichy and La Roche Posay have very high quality products at an affordable price. We don’t get them here in Malaysia, but if you have them and operate on a smaller budget, consider using them.
I have also had good experience with Eucerin products and I’ve read good things about Uriage as well. I haven’t gotten round to trying them, but the reports are promising. Avene too gets good feedback. I also find that Olay used to work for my skin (Total Effects, but not Regenerist) when I was on a budget, and so did L’Oreal Revitalift range (but no others in the L’Oreal line). My skin tolerates Western (particularly French) skincare better than Asian so I am less enamoured with Asian brands of skincare, both high end and drugstore.
Work with whatever your skin likes
Ultimately, listen to your skin. It is so important. A product could cost you RM4,000 (US$1,500) and still break you out or not deliver the results you are seeking. A product might cost you under RM50 (US$15) and deliver. So, there’s no need to keep up with the Joneses.
There’s no need to keep up with the Joneses so work within your budget
There’s nothing wrong with using affordable skincare. I’ve seen people feel embarrassed that they’re using something from the pharmacy and I want to say “Why? If it works for you and has a small pricetag, why be embarrassed about it?” As long as you are sure it is working for you, and that you are using sufficient product, it’s enough. Don’t skimp or save on product use. You need a decent amount and consistent use to see results in the long run. This isn’t like instant noodles – adding hot water doesn’t make it work faster or better.
After all, it would be far better having a good skincare routine that is within your budget, than trying to live beyond your means and cutting down on your product use. If I didn’t have the budget (and I’ve been there) I go back to the pharmacy. At least I don’t feel the pinch when I replenish and I don’t feel bad using generous amounts of product on my skin.
So, your turn then. What skincare products do you splurge on? If you’d like to share, what do you save on?
I have dabbled in skincare a long time, and have run the gamut from high to low end. I’ve found gems in both and while I am now using pricier products because my budget allows me to, it doesn’t mean I’ve never been in the pharmacy. I have, I’ve found my gems in there and they stood me in good stead, protecting and nourishing my skin through the lean years until I got on my feet and can treat my skin a little better. So, nothing embarrassing about using affordable skincare at all! 🙂
Paris B
This is why I keep coming back to read your posts ;D I find that my thoughts on quite a few beauty related issues are the same as yours; the importance of skincare, using beauty oils (only 3 ladies that I know personally use a face oil!!! can you believe it).. using gentle but effective products which may or may not break the bank. I have rather sensitive and acne-prone skin and I find that some items which you use are also in my line-up so I know the products which you recommend would most probably work for me too.
I find most department store brands to be too harsh for me even the Japanese brands. My skin responds better to French and “clean” skincare- Clarins, Caudalie, La Roche Posay, sukin, and REN amongst them. I purchase my skincare based on the best in the market for my skin type and not because its heavily advertised. So I have a bottle of CHANEL Le Weekend (MYR313) sitting next to my sukin Facial Cleanser (MYR40 for 2!!!), screening the ingredient list is more important than the price/brand to me. And not to sound like a snob but the only drugstore brands I use on my face are sukin (really good Aussie natural brand, havent seen it on your blog, have you tried it before?) and for face masks, My Beauty Diary, great quality for the price and it doesnt make my face itch! LOL
I have also been a fan of Caroline Hirons for the longest time and was pleasantly surprised that you also take tips from her! I will be honest and say that you are the only Malaysian beauty blogger whom I follow, because your writing is informative and enjoyable to read, and most of all, it doesnt sound like you regurgitated the press release on us (which a lot of “beauty bloggers” do). You can tell a lot about someone based on their writing and choice of words (: Thank you for choosing to share your thoughts with us!
Aww Xen, you are very sweet thank you 😀 I have noticed too that people are still very afraid of using oils on their face which surprises me. But then, I have also realised that many people are still operating on very traditional skincare methods without daring to branch out very much even if it might be better for their skin. Listen too much to SAs and friends if you know what I mean 😉
Oh and YAY for French skincare! I love French skincare – it always feels so much better on my skin! I can’t use Chanel skincare though. Breaks me out something awful 🙁 I have used Sukin many years ago. Many many years before they came in haha! But I stopped thereafter. I think they’re pretty good, but I didn’t like the texture of the face cleanser. I generally don’t like Cocamidopropyl betaine as the SLS substitute because it affects the skin on my hands and doesn’t play well with my skin.
I discovered Caroline Hirons recently and I have to say her skincare advice is fab! The face cloth cleansing method has made my skin so much better but I have to disagree with some of her ideas e.g. sunscreen. I’ve recently had a bit of renaissance when it comes to skincare so I’m very interested in techniques and types of products so reading her blog really helps! 😀
Thanks for bringing up this topic, Paris. I love reading everyone’s comments and seeing what other people’s (and your) splurges are!
I used to only splurge on serums and occasionally moisturizers while keeping the other “everyday skincare” at pharmacy prices (RM50 and under). I don’t think I have ever paid more than that for a cleanser or toner. But lately my skin has been acting up so I decided to go the Hirons route and overhaul my routine. I’m now investing in a cleansing balm, exfoliating toner and some Hydraluron (still waiting for my sister to post it to me, cannot wait!). Even without the Hydraluron, I’m already seeing improvements.
Oh, by the way I ordered the Effaclar Duo based on your recommendation, waiting for it to arrive as well. 😀
I’m glad you enjoyed this one Sarah! Skincare is a topic I enjoy very much and which is, I feel not talked about very much other than skincare product reviews so it’s nice to know what everyone is doing out there. Oh, I just found out they sell Hydraluron here! Gah! But it’s in Sunway Pyramid so that’s as good as being overseas for me LOL! I haven’t gone the way of an exfoliating toner yet, although I was using Alpha H Liquid Gold for a while and am going back to it. For me now, its still just single toner but using a cleansing balm and face cloth has been revolutionary for me! Hopefully the Effaclar Duo helps you the way it helped me 😀
Hi PB,
I have not dropped a comment for some times, although I’d never miss your post. Working life is terribly busy! I have to say, your blog is getting even more interesting with so many readers’ replies! I learn a lots from their sharing. Really good comments. 😉
I agree with splurge on serums. They do their fantastic job usually, I mean the high end serums. And I really love your skincare post. So genuine opinions delivered.
Junni
Hiya Junni! Nice hearing from you and you know, hearing from regulars telling me they’re working now when I first “met” them as students really makes me feel my age haha! But it also makes me happy that you guys are still here 😀 I don’t think all high end serums do an excellent job, but for the most part, I do expect serums to be more expensive in general. It troubles me that people think a serum below RM50 can do anything 😛
Haha, I age as well, I am 30 next year! :p
Sigh… now I feel old 😛
wow toal eye candy.Love your collection.I am using lot of high end organic brands these days …tata harper,may lindstrom.I would love to try your faves too..lovely post
I’ve heard a lot about Tata Harper and May Lindstrom recently but since I can’t get them here I’ll bide my time 🙂 Good to know it works for you.
I usually lurk but I just have to chime in and say that I agree with Xen above – I used to read a lot of beauty blogs but nowadays I have cut down drastically. Your blog and Sesame’s VivaWoman are my favorites. At first glance your blogs are very different but one big commonality both blogs have is not sounding like regurgitated press releases. I love your pictures too that are not stock pictures. It is obvious that you put a lot of effort and love into this blog.
As for splurging – at the moment I am on a no-buy until I use up my sizable stash so… In theory I would splurge on sunscreen and serum in that order, and have done so in the past. Especially with sunscreen since I only use all zinc oxide sunscreens, and the elegantly formulated ones used to cost an arm and a leg until just a couple of years ago when more companies got into the market.
Hi Alice, thank you for delurking! 😀 I always love hearing from readers (so I know if I’m on the right track or maybe way off base hehe) so thank you for sharing your thoughts and for reading my blog. Appreciate it! Ah I wish I could use zinc oxide sunscreens but my skin hates it if you would believe it! I’m about the only person I know who experiences breakouts because of zinc oxide! Sigh… But it’s good to know that there are so many options available these days. A good sunscreen can be hard to find so when I find one (which is a splurge, by the way) I hold on to it! 🙂
I too tend to splurge on skin care more and that too on serums. Over the years, I have experienced that HE serums have worked better for me than HE moisturisers. I am yet to find a good drugstore option for high quality serum 🙁
I’m actually like you Preeti. It’s very hard to find a good quality drugstore serum primarily because I think good quality ingredients or high concentrations of them will increase the price. So, I may get a drugstore moisturiser, but not the serum.
To be honest, anything after a cleanser I splurge on :D. the most expensive cleanser I’ve used was probably a tie between Clarins Foaming Wash( holy hell not only did it aggravate my acne, but it irritated the eczema on my hands) and Neostrata’s pore cleansing gel(recommended by my dermatologist, loved it but hard to find without a costly trip to my dermatologist). Now I just use cetaphil which took some time to get used to but thankfully it works well on my skin.
Clay masks I find don’t really matter which price point you buy from, and good quality DIY clay masks are fairly cheap :D.
Now I’m just on the lookout for a good Vitamin C serum and some hydrating face masks 🙂