Archived Post
What's one skincare product you'll skimp on?
Cleanser! I’ve indulged inexpensive cleansers but know that I don’t feel like they really sit on the skin long enough to be doing anything miraculous to my actual skin, so something that cleans well, doesn’t strip my skin, etc. is all that is needed and really does come at a variety of price points. I also think that there are excellent body creams and moisturizers from brands like Aveeno, CeraVe, Eucerin, etc.
— Christine
Agreed. My fave is the Cosrx low pH good morning cleanser. Cheap enough and lasts forever. Good for the low pH lifestyle. Only drawback is not at Ulta.
I agree with Christine in that I try not to spend a lot of money on cleansers since they are not on your face long enough to have much impact. I do need cleansers that work well since I use waterproof mascara so I do a double cleanse at night. I like an oil or balm cleanser for my eyes since I don’t want to have to rub and tug at the skin. I have several that I really like. I then cleanse with a gentle cleanser that just removes the debris left from the oil or balm cleanser. I do like a couple of more expensive cleansers just because I like the scent or the experience of using them and I will sometimes purchase them but they are a luxury that I don’t really need, just enjoy. I am careful about not stripping my skin as it is very dry.
Shower gel and facial cleanser also.
Toner. I mean, does it get any cheaper than witch hazel? It’s a good thing, actually, as I tend to forget to use it anyhow.
But I’m also pretty much a cheapo with hand, foot or body lotions, shower wash, and face cleanser or makeup remover wipes.
Body products in general. I feel like there are affordable products with great textures, and what makes me prefer one over the other is usually the scent. I’ve never found a real difference in quality the few times I’ve tried high-end body products.
Moisturizers. I feel if I use a great serum and a good oil in the evenings, I don’t really need much from them.
toners i guess though i’ve not skimped on them so far. so long as the ingredients look good and comes without alcohol, i’ll use it.
The cleanser and the moisturizer.
The cleanser, for all the reasons mentioned by Christine. I’m looking for cleanser that is fragrance-free, not drying, that does not irritate my skin and that is not loaded with chemicals, silicones etc. My favorites are: CeraVe (but I don’t like to use it with Clarisonic), Consonant Foaming cleanser – great during summer time, not drying at all, NUDE Skincare Jelly Cleanser (NUDE Skincare were bought by Beautycounter last year and BC have not released yet the Jelly Cleanser in the new form), and my recent discovery Youth to the People – Age Prevention Cleanser w/ Kale + Green Tea, Spinach, Vitamins; I absolute love this one. If we take out the “age prevention” claim, this is an excellent cleanser, loaded with good ingredients, not drying and is great to be used with Clarisonic as well, even if it does not foam much.
With respect to the moisturizer, I’ve been following the advice of Caroline Hirons and she was saying that we should invest in the high quality products that come after the cleanser and before applying the moisturizer, i.e. in my morning skincare routine, these would be the toner, the vit. C and the serum/oil applied on top of vit.c. The moisturizer applied on top of these has as function to seal everything that is beneath, while the products that are beneath act to actually treat the skin. Her theory makes sense imho. My favorite moisturizers for winter are Belif Aqua Gel (day time) and Farmacy Sleep Tight (nigh time). For summer, Youth to the People – Moisturizing cream w/ Kale, Green Tea and HA and the Juice Beauty – Stem Cellular Moisturizer.
Pretty much everything tbh (if paying under $20 is considered skimping). I’ve been able to find products I like from brands like Cerave, Mizon, Biore, etc. In my experience, I haven’t come across any high-end skincare that has ingredients that are worth the mark-up.
The only thing I haven’t found yet is a decent moisturizing eye cream, but I don’t plan on splurging on one anyways.
Body moisturiser, shower gel, shampoo. You can find really good ones – even organics – for a reasonable price. I do have an “expensive”
face cleanser (around $50 for 500ml) but I have such a sensitive skin… I didn’t find anything else which doesn’t give me bumps, dry skin, redness and helping to prevent imperfections.
Probably toners/essences (though my recent purchases of some pretty pricey ones seem to contradict this) as well as all the ridiculous “pre-serums” and “pre-essences” that have hit the market recently. To tell the truth, I don’t really feel they’re all that necessary and they’re just one more step (or 3 more steps) the makeup marketing wallahs have convinced us are necessary. I do love a good toner in the summer just to freshen up in the middle of those summer days that have been talked about recently on Temptalia – I like that they cut through the grime and oil if I’ve been out sightseeing in a big city or if I’m at the gym, after an intense workout. But for much of the year, I think that a good cleanser and perhaps an exfoliating sponge make toners an unnecessary extra step.
Cleanser – to me I only need ones that don’t strip nor dry my skin out, cleanse my skin well, doesn’t irritate it, and has fragrance at the bottom of the ingredients list or has no fragrance at all.
I don’t think there’s a huge difference in inexpensive cleansers and more expensive ones for my skin at least, which makes it easier to skimp on cleansers.
In contrast to my habits with color cosmetics, I’ve never really gotten into high-end or luxury skincare. I’d rather find a very good but reasonablly priced product that I don’t hesitate to slather on, than to splurge on the price and then try to skimp in application to stretch and make it last. Cleanser is definitely one of the last things I would consider paying more for- totally agree, all it needs to do is clean my skin- after that it just goes down the drain, there are no lasting benefits!
If you seriously got into skincare, you might be restricted from your 500th highlighter, queen! Not said snarkily, it’s just how I think of you, the HQ. You glow, girl……
You got me there ? My logic is, I’ll splurge on color cosmetics (yes, esp highlighters) because they will last ages and the difference in appearance and quality is obvious to the eye when I wear them. I buy what I consider “quality” skincare products (like The Ordinary!) but I tend to feel that “luxury” skincare doesn’t have a worthy ROI. I personally believe the high price tag usually comes from marketing and frills, not the active ingredients. But I certainly don’t begrudge anyone who likes to spend their money on it! Whatever makes ya happy ?
I do subscribe to the Caroline Hirons school of skin care thought that it’s best to pay attention and use the best quality products in the middle of the regime — acid toners and serums. I’m happy with a nice double wash at the end of the day using Clean it Zero to remove makeup, then a nice milky cleanser used with a muslin to remove after — neither is expensive. Even the moisturizer itself, I am learning and believing, should be chosen carefully but is not as essential as what comes before. A good eye cream, IMO, is a must.
On my body, I use whatever works. I swim a lot so I can get dry especially in the cold weather. Best stuff I’ve used was a big tub of Sephora brand body cream I got for $13, which lasted me most of the winter.
I agree, Christine. I definitely skimp on cleansers, makeup remover, and toner.
Cleansers for sure. I’ve been experimenting with a lot of skin care approaches and products over last months, and I keep coming back to Cerave.
Honestly, all of it. Over the last 30+ years, I’ve used products from both ends of the spectrum, and never found HE/”luxury” brands to be any better. I also don’t find essences, serums, etc… to be necessary as long as I cleanse, tone, exfoliate, & moisturize. For the last 5 years, I’ve adopted a “natural” skincare routine, consisting of oils & soap-free cleansers, and my skin looks and feels better than it did when I had an elaborate, expensive routine. I literally spend less than $100 USD/year, and couldn’t be happier.
Cleanser for me too – Cetaphil has been my standby for years
Definitely, skin cleanser. None of the ingredients are in contact with the skin long enough to do anything. It’s just a lot of marketing “puffery”. Just find a cosmetically elegant cleanser that does a good job of cleansing without stripping your skin and you should be good to go. And, Christine is absolutely right in that they come at all different price points. For makeup removal, I love Tatcha’s camellia cleansing oil (expensive) as it quickly and gently removes everything, but my morning cleanser is good old Cetaphil for sensitive skin (cheap).
I skimp on body cleansers. I use Dove bar soap, the men’s version because I prefer the smell.products. My skin got very dry recently but before it did, I also used drugstore body lotion. Even now that I need something more hydrating, I use Body Shop.
Until very recently I’ve had ultra sensitive skin that broke out the minute I used anything with lots of chemical fragrance and dye. Fortunately, there are wonderful affordable hypo allergenic noncomidic drugstore facial cleansers and body wash. I use drugstore for face wash and toner, body lotion, chapstick, face mask, eye makeup remover and setting spray. Seriously why spend $31 for UD when you can pick up Mario Badescu Aloe, herb & rosewater facial mist for $4?
Cleansers as well. As long as they take off my makeup, especially my mascara without hurting or stinging my eyes, that’s all I need.
Another el cheapo product is body butters – lots around that are just as good as the expensive ones. I do like ones that are only lightly perfumed.
I’ll splurge on sunscreeen since most drugstore sunscreens have irritated my skin.
Coconut oil only!
I only cleanse with coconut oil, removes everything and it’s not drying. Been using for 10 years!
Same. Cream cleansers and body moisturizers. Cream cleanser: FAB (I despise the smell, but it works). Body Moisturizer: The ginormous pump bottle of Jergens with Shea butter.
Makeup removers, I tend to always get a cleanser that does both.
I’ve had to change up stuff recently as my meds make my skin increasingly sensitive. I’ve found drugstore brands like CeraVe and Cetaphil are miles better for my skin than high end for things like moisturizer (the new-ish Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid has changed my entire view on moisturizers!), cleanser and SPF. Though with SPF I tend to spend a bit more (yaay sensitive skin) as I buy drugstore, but usually non-American brands like Heliocare so it’s via Amazon and costs a bit more (but my dermatologist was the one that recommended it).
Okay, more than one. lol Body lotions, body wash, toners, makeup remover, micellar water, and makeup remover wipes. Drug store works fine for me.