[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]What's the first thing that people see when they look at you? They see your face and skin. Therefore, taking care of the health and appearance of your skin is not something on which you should skimp. However, in spite of what advertisements might proclaim, you don't need to spend a fortune on every
skincare product.
There are plenty of products that provide just want your skin needs without you having to dip into your monthly rent or mortgage stash. "There are plenty of great brands at an affordable cost, which do the trick," says dermatologist Ana Chacon, MD.
Then, again, there are some
anti-aging products that you may need to splurge on if you really want to
reduce fine lines, dark spots, and other signs of mature skin. Here's a roundup of what to save on, what to splurge on, and a rundown of essential basic skincare products.
Cleanser: Save
It all starts with cleaning your face. You need to start with clean skin before you apply any products. And since a cleanser is not on your skin for long – maybe a minute or two before you wash it away -- it's not surprising that Chacon says it's ok to save on them. However, she does recommend buying a cleanser to match your skin type.
"Generally, I recommend using different
cleansers at different times depending on what you need. For example, I sometimes use a glycolic acid cleanser for brightening and sometimes a very simple one for plain hydration. For acne-prone skin, look for cleansers that have salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide," says Chacon.
Toner: Save
Toners can help clean out and tighten pores and wash away dead skin, dirt, and makeup that your cleanser left behind. However, avoid toners with too much alcohol, especially if you have dry skin. Fortunately, plenty of inexpensive, gentle, and effective
toners are available at your local drugstore.
Serum: Splurge
Serums are all the rage these days – and for a good reason. Serums are packed with lightweight nutrient-rich molecules that penetrate your skin to hydrate and improve texture and firmness. Cheap ones won't get absorbed the same way a well-made serum will. Look for ingredients such as vitamin C, vitamin E,
hyaluronic acid, green tea and resveratrol. Serums can be part of a daytime or nighttime skincare regimen.
Moisturizer: Save
Moisturizers act as a barrier between your skin and the outside world. It also helps lock in moisture. Fortunately, there are TONS of great moisturizers available at a reasonable cost in your local drugstore or supermarket. But, again, you should look for a moisturizer that fits your skin type, whether it's dry, oily or a combination of both. You may also want to change your moisturizer depending on the weather. For example, a lightweight lotion will do in the summer, but in the winter, you may have to switch to a cream or ointment if your skin tends to get dry and itchy.
Sunscreen: Save or splurge
Whether you prefer a mineral or chemical
sunscreen will dictate what you spend. Mineral sunscreens tend to cost more than chemical sunscreens. However, both will do the trick to help prevent premature skin aging. The most important thing to know about sunscreen is that you should wear it every day. You can wear it under your moisturizer or use a facial moisturizer that has sunscreen in it. Chacon says that if you have oily skin and live in a humid climate, a combo moisturizer product and sunscreen are best. Look for a broad-spectrum product with at least a 15 SPF (sun protection factor).
Exfoliator: Save or splurge
Affordable drugstore
exfoliators help slough away dead skin cells and surface-level dirt and debris. Pricier chemical exfoliators that contain glycolic or lactic acid penetrate deeper into your pores to clean away oil and gunk. Whether you go high or low priced, make sure your exfoliator is a gentle one with small exfoliating granules. Rough exfoliators can lead to micro skin tears and scaring.
Retinoid: Splurge
Retinols, which are variations of vitamin-A-based products, are the ultimate anti-aging product and worth splurging for -- if you want to look younger.
Retinol products, which also go by names such as Tretinoin, retinol, and, brands name like Retin-A, are proven to speed up skin cell turnover and boost collagen production as well as improve skin tone and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
With those benefits, it's not surprising that skincare companies have churned out a lot of retinoid products. However, low or moderately priced products are often low quality, low strength, or both. For the real deal, medical-grade retinoid products, available through a doctor's office, are the way to go for younger, brighter, firmer skin. It’s also important to note that because retinoid products make your skin sensitive to the sun, they should be part of your
nighttime skincare routine.
The bottom line is you shouldn't fall for advertising hype when it comes to skincare. Beautiful skin is attainable for everyone -- not only the rich and famous. If you save where you can so you can splurge on the right items, you too can have star-worthy, beautiful skin.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title="Featured Products" border_width="2"][vc_row_inner equal_height="yes" content_placement="middle" gap="35"][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="158149" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1645888290357{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/acure-radically-rejuvenating-retinoid-night-complex"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="158147" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1645888326936{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/no7-raidance-plus-15-vitamin-c-serum"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="158148" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1645888352549{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/yeouth-anti-aging-facial-moisturizer-l22"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
