When It’s Worth Spending Money on Beauty and Skincare — and When You Can Save
The skincare industry is saturated with serums, creams and miracle promises. With products ranging from under $10 to over $500, and social media feeds constantly trying to sell us the next amazing thing, it’s easy to wonder: Is any of this actually worth it?
I asked dermatologists, estheticians and aesthetic nurses to break down where to invest your dollars — and where you can confidently save.
First things first: All of the experts I spoke with agree that one of the biggest myths when it comes to skincare and beauty is, “The more expensive the better.” That said, some pricier products have their perks. Take a look at what is and isn’t worth it.
Splurge smart: What beauty products to spend on
The experts agree that while you don’t have to spend three figures on your products, some higher-priced items have value, particularly from clinical and medical-grade brands. You also want to pay attention to the function of the item to decide if it’s worth the spend.
“Many luxury items are overpriced for brand reputation, not performance,” says Amy Wall, an award-winning esthetician. “Often, middle-of-the-line clinical brands do better because they invest in research and development, not star power.”
“Medical-grade skin care typically costs more,” adds Rachel M. Duke, a certified aesthetic nurse specialist and owner of an injectables boutique in Virginia that specializes in anti-aging. “But you don’t have to break the bank.”
So, what should you spend money on?
1. Products with proven active ingredients
When it comes to high-end skincare, pay for what’s inside the bottle — not the name brand or fancy packaging on the outside.
“What makes a high-end skincare product actually worth it comes down to a few key things: Ingredient quality, formulation stability, delivery systems and clinical results,” says Melanie Abeyta, a licensed aesthetic nurse practitioner and owner of Harmony Aesthetics Center in Los Angeles. “If a product contains medical-grade vitamin C, peptides or growth factors in clinically effective concentrations — not just for marketing — it’s worth the investment.”
Dr. Tia Paul, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Balanced Skin Dermatology, agrees. When you’re reading labels, she recommends looking for “clinically backed active ingredients.” Specifically, retinoids such as retinol and retinaldehyde; vitamin C — look for ascorbic acid or tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THDA), a stable, oil-soluble form of vitamin C; peptides; and niacinamide, ceramides and hyaluronic acid for barrier support and hydration.
2. Products that stay on the skin
(Image credit: Getty Images)
If you’re going to wash it right off or if it’s not meant to absorb (as in the case with toners and astringents), it doesn’t make sense to splurge.
“Spend where the product stays — like serums and moisturizers,” says Wall. “Save where it doesn’t, like cleansers or mists, which don’t sit on your skin long enough to deliver lasting effects.”
Duke adds, “Medical-grade skincare is designed to treat specific skin concerns with higher concentrations of active ingredients. That’s where your money goes further.”
3. Targeted treatments and procedures
If you’re going to invest in something big, consider procedures over products.
Makeup artist Pilar DeMann, a brow and beauty expert with over 30 years of experience, emphasizes that who you trust matters more than what you use: “Spend on the person behind the needle. Botox, filler, lasers — these can be worth every penny, but only if you’re in the hands of a skilled professional.”
Recommended beauty splurges:
Recommended makeup splurges:
Where to save: Effective doesn’t have to mean expensive
Where do most people overpay?
“Overhyped, Instagram-worthy product lines,” says Kenzie Cammuse, a Sciton expert, aesthetician and founder of Nashville Skin Studio. “Many have basic ingredients wrapped in trendy packaging.”
“Another overhyped category is anti-aging products that promise miraculous results,” says Abeyta. “Anti-aging isn’t one product, it’s a collection of habits, including sun protection, good sleep, proper hydration and skincare basics like vitamin C, peptides and retinol.”
With that in mind, you can feel confident sticking to budget picks in the below categories:
1. Cleansers, toners and simple moisturizers
These products don’t stay on your skin long enough to “work magic,” says Cammuse. Drugstore finds can be just as effective as pricier options.
“Brands such as CeraVe, La Roche-Posay or Vanicream make excellent, no-frills products that protect your skin barrier and do exactly what they’re supposed to,” says Abeyta.
Dr. Paul concurs that this is where you can “absolutely save” your money: “These essentials don’t need fancy packaging or a luxury brand name to be effective.”
2. Sheet masks
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Wall warns against paying good money for sheet masks, or what she calls “thinned-out serums on a piece of fabric.” She says, “They’re fun but not transformational.”
So if you want to pick up a pack for a “spa” day with a child or grandchild or for a themed party — or if you just like the ritual of a sheet mask — you can feel confident with a drugstore purchase.
3. Makeup, with exceptions
You can spend less on makeup, especially on items like blush, mascara and brow gels. Some expert-approved brands include Burt’s Bees, ELF, and L’Oréal.
“I have L’Oréal Voluminous in my kit because it works on everyone,” DeMann says. “It’s not expensive, but it performs just as well as some luxury mascaras.”
DeMann also notes the rise of “dupes” — affordable versions of expensive beauty products. You can most likely find a dupe of any product you love with a little internet sleuthing.
An exception? Foundation, says DeMann, as “you want something that mimics skin” and “higher quality pigments and formulations make a difference.”
Of course, sometimes the thrill of a luxe product is worth the price, she acknowledges, noting that Chanel and Hermes have high-end makeup lines with interesting products, if you want to enjoy a name-brand.
Recommended budget beauty buys
Recommended budget makeup buys
What products to skip completely
While some products are worth more of an investment and some less, some are worthless altogether. Avoid these products to save your budget.
1. Flashy ingredients and trendy formulas
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Wall says it’s not worth paying for “gold flakes, crystals, or 24K anything that won’t actually change your skin.”
2. Fancy packaging and marketing gimmicks
“You’re paying for the jar, not the product,” Wall says. DeMann agrees, saying, “Some of the most expensive creams out there are all hype and little substance.”
Duke adds that many brands rely on fragrance to appeal to buyers – but fragrance can be irritating on skin.
3. Products you just plain don’t need
Cammuse says to skip pore-shrinking products — “pores don’t open and close like doors.”
She also recommends saving your money when it comes to cellulite creams that promise miracles, overly fragranced formulas and alcohol-heavy toners.
You can also cut back on using multiple products with the same active ingredient: “You don’t need three serums doing the same thing.”
How to tell if a beauty product is worth it
Follow these steps to assess when a product is worth its cost.
1. Read the ingredients
“Check the ingredient list before anything else; ingredients over labels is a must,” says Abeyta. Wall agrees: “Marketing might promise ‘hydration’ or ‘renewal,’ but the ingredient list tells the real story.”
Look for actives in the top five to 10 ingredients. If retinol or vitamin C shows up at the bottom, they’re likely not doing much.
Abeyta recommends visiting sites such as Paula’s Choice or The Ordinary, which make it easy to find affordable, no-frills products with scientifically backed ingredients.
2. Watch for stabilized formulas and delivery systems
(Image credit: Getty Images)
“It’s not just what’s in a product, it’s how it’s delivered,” Dr. Paul explains. “Look for stabilized, pH-appropriate formulations from brands that prioritize science, such as Skinceuticals and La Roche Posay.”
Paul added that you should look for words like “encapsulated” and “stabilized,” which indicate they increase absorption and effectiveness.
3. Do your research, but don’t rely on reviews alone
While online reviews can offer helpful perspectives, Duke points out that they often reflect personal preferences and may be biased. Instead, she recommends seeking out products that have undergone clinical testing or have been endorsed by experts, as this provides more reliable evidence of effectiveness.
“And remember, everyone’s skin is different — what works for one person may not work for another,” she says.
Cammuse recommends turning to dermatologist-backed websites or checking the comments on estheticians’ or dermatologists’ social media for more trustworthy insights. She cautions against being swayed by “influencer hype” that lacks scientific backing.
For well-researched, impartial information, Abeyta suggests resources like Lab Muffin Beauty Science and Truth in Aging, which focus on the science behind products and their ingredients, rather than just user opinions.
The bottom line on beauty spending
It makes sense to invest in products designed to treat your skin with proven ingredients and splurge now and then on luxe makeup if you love how it looks and it makes you happy. Professional procedures from providers you trust are also worth the investment.
But save your money on staples like cleaners and toners, and really save your money when it comes to hyped-up sheet masks and fancy-sounding ingredients that don’t do anything.
As Wall puts it: “Don’t follow trends — establish rituals. Your skin doesn’t need more; it needs consistency, quality and a little common sense.”
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