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What's one skincare product you'll splurge on?

Serums/treatments that are more targeted to something specific, have a greater concentration of the right ingredients for targeting the skin issue, and so forth are worth spending a little more. I also like the texture of mid to higher-end moisturizers, so I tend to splurge often there.

— Christine

38 Comments

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Deborah S. Avatar

I will always spend a little more for a good acid treatment and a good moisturizer. I have been using Sunday Riley Tidal for quite a while now and I am really enjoying it. I wasn’t sure at first whether it was doing anything but after having used it for 2-3 months, I can see that my super dry skin is better. I think my skin could use even more moisture so I am looking for something to supplement the Tidal.

Anne Avatar

I’ve recommended CVS brand 100% glycerin ($6 or $7) several times on this blog. I have super dry skin, and a drop or two of glycerin will amp up your moisturizer a lot. It’s been a life saver for me.

Nancy T Avatar

Eye creams and serums are definitely splurge worthy for for me! Love how noticable the effects can be. Also, I usually splurge a bit on most of my anti-aging concoctions as well, going mid-end and up on those creams and serums. Same goes for my haircare. Mid to higher.
Yet, tonight I actually placed an order for several of The Ordinary products with Beautylish! Definitely not HE, although “Buffet” is mid-range, I suppose.

Johanna Avatar

My whole skincare regime is mid- to highend, but serums is probably the thing I will be most likely to spend some extra cash on. And eye creams! Or I will be spending more on eye creams in a couple of years, I’m soon to be 24 so many active creams are to strong for me.

Nikki J. Avatar

I splurge on my acne prevention treatment. I consider it an investment in my natural, everyday look, as I don’t wear makeup regularly. It’s important to me to have smooth, clear skin, so I figure the cost is worth it.

Mariella Avatar

facial sunscreen products because if they are both effective (meaning high SPF) and pleasant to use (meaning not heavy or greasy), I am more likely to use them every day. Also eye creams. I don’t think they do anything magical or “anti aging” but I am very careful generally about my eyes (having had some eye problems) and also I have found that ordinary moisturizers/creams can contribute to milia around the eye area.

Mariella Avatar

I love the La Roche Posay very liquidy Anthelios (they have 3 – one is the thin, milky one, one is a lotion and the 3rd is a cream which I use as a daytime eye cream in summer; I use the lighest one most of the time but the lotion one if my skin is dry) and I really love Lise Watier’s Sun Smart (only in Canada, I think). It feels more like a velvety primer than sun screen. They changed the packaging (used to be a pump but now it’s a squeeze tube which I don’t like as much as it’s more prone to separating).

Shannon. N Avatar

I splurge on: my prescription topical acne gel, my paulas choice BHA, and Clinique eye cream!

My in between save and splurge is Sunblock! I apply two full layers in the morning, and I’ll touch up my sof during the day! So I go through a lot of sunblock! But my favourites, are Shiseido “ultimate sun protection cream water resist” SPF 50 so that’s a splurge at $40+, but I also love and use Paula’s choice “extra care non greasy sunscreen” SPF50! And that’s $20+ so that’s a save!

Michele @Binxcat4ever Avatar

Can’t answer with just one. I’ve been “into” skincare since my teens. Once your skin “goes bad”, you really can’t get it back…an ounce of prevention and all that. Given all my medical conditions and the fact that genetically I didn’t inherit good skin (re: acne, lines/wrinkles), I credit my 50+ skin to good skincare.

Marie-Estelle Avatar

Now that I have found my staples in term of skincare I kind of splurge for everything (except for the body) and always manage to buy them at interesting moments (black Fridays and co). That being said I do not think my skin care products are so expensive if taken separately. You will not find a serum or an oil at $100 for example. But what I can use now to clear and hydrate my skin, is organic and sufficient for my age (28). This might change later.

Anne Avatar

I love my cleansers and essences. I’m very dry and sensitive, so if I don’t cleanse my skin properly, I don’t get the best performance from the rest of my skincare products.

Georgina Avatar

Serums and acids is what I’m willing to splurge on. Facial cleansers and Day creams is where I don’t mind something more budget if it does a good job.

Helena Avatar

My Japanese sunscreen isn’t really a splurge (it’s less than $15), but buying something from overseas instead of picking up Neutrogena from the drugstore does feel like a bit much, ha ha. Worth it for the better ingredients and improved look/feel.

I would really splurge on a product that miraculously applied itself, tbh. The real problem with skincare is I’m too lazy to use it.

Lea Avatar

I’ll splurge on all my skincare. I know you can go more inexpensive on cleansers since they aren’t on your face for a long period of time, but I target my cleansers toward addressing any specific issues I’m dealing with at the current moment – hydration, oiliness, and normal.

janine Avatar

Moisturizer I used to use Bobbi Browns vitamin enriched primer ~$50 but now I’m using The Ordinary which isn’t as thick but is great. I have the Serious eye cream which helps your lashes grow but it’s $35 for 2 large containers..

I buy high end perfume but rarely wear fur to my job and top notch hair care.

Genevieve Avatar

The same as you Christine – I tend to splurge my skincare money on serums and night time moisturisers for mature skin, as these contain the ingredients that I need. Facial sunscreens in summer are a must too – I use the La Roche Posay one with SPF 50. It is excellent.

Waymire Avatar

Most serums are horribly overpriced (same as most skincare). I’m currently enjoying both a HA and a collagen serum from Revivalabs that are wonderful.. very high amounts of the active ingredient and a very simple clean ingredient list otherwise.. they were both under $15/oz. Start reading and understanding ingredient labels and you will be shocked at what they are selling you and how much the active ingredients actually cost when not paying for that brand name.

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