Luxe Vs. Less Skin Care

You don't have to spend half your paycheck on skincare products to stay wrinkle and pimple-free. Dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban and P&G scientist Mary Begovic Johnson helped us compare products with similar ingredients that are very different in cost. Read on to find out when to save and when it's worth it to splurge!

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Gentle Cleanser
Less
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, $8
Luxe
CellCeuticals Extremely Gentle Skin Cleanser, $35
Ingredients in action
Both cleansers are non-irritating, non-comedogenic and contain gentle, non-soap dirt lifters and moisturizers (like glyceryl cocoate in the pricier version) to gently clean skin.
And the winner is
The pricier version is chock-full of additional humectants (like glycerin) to help water bind to skin and moisturizers (amino acids), but the drugstore brand's simplistic formula and dirt-cheap price tag are why derms continue to recommend it.

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Facial Scrub
Less
Clean & Clear Morning Burst Detoxifying Facial Scrub, $7
Luxe
Cosmedicine Medi-Morphosis Self-Adjusting Exfoliator, $38
Ingredients in action
Red algae found in the drugstore scrub "helps skin absorb oxygen" to reveal healthier skin underneath. The pricier version contains witch hazel and sodium dehydroacetate (both natural anti-bacterial agents) in addition to scrub granules for the same effect.
And the winner is
The cheaper scrub's man-made microbeads are round so there's little to no chance of skin damage from over-scrubbing. The scrubbers in the expensive product are made from silica crystals (aka sand) that actually dissolve in seconds -- so you can never over-exfoliate. You shouldn't be scrubbing on a daily basis anyway, so the pricier bottle will last for quite a while!


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Face Cleansing Devices
Less
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Rejuvenator, $40
Luxe
Clarisonic Skincare Brush, $195
Products in action
The drugstore doodad includes a scrubbing pad pre-loaded with tiny crystals and glycerin that smooth and soften skin as the pad vibrates. The fancier version's vibrating brush gently removes the stratum corneum (top protective layer of skin) to allow better absorption of skin care products.
And the winner is
Both products remove dead skin, but the expensive machine's soft bristled-brush is safe for all skin types. The gentle bristles make it pretty impossible to over-scrub and the rechargeable battery means you'll only have to buy one once -- a worthy investment for beautiful skin forever!


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Daily Moisturizer with SPF
Less
Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Sun-Damage Daily Moisturizer SPF 28, $13
Luxe
Wei East Multi-tasking Day Cream SPF 15, $38
Ingredients in action
Each contains antioxidants (lycopene in the cheaper version and golden root in the pricier cream) to fight off free radical damage from pollutants like car exhaust and cigarette smoke. They both have respectable SPF ratings -- 28 in the drugstore brand and 15 in the high-end version.
And the winner is:
The formula and scent of the expensive product are luxurious, but lycopene in the drugstore brand is fat-soluble, which helps the lotion penetrate the skin. That plus a higher SPF rating and a touch of vitamin C make it a must-have.

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Eye Creams with SPF
Less
Dove Pro-Age Eye Treatment with SPF 8, $14
Luxe
Lancome Bienfait Multi-Vital Eye SPF 28 Sunscreen, $36
Ingredients in action
Both tout broad-spectrum sunscreens and a heavy concentration of glycerin to moisturize skin. The pricier version has additional ingredients like caffeine (to reduce swelling) and vitamin B5 (to condition skin).
And the winner is
The high-end product has an incredible blend of goodies to keep your eye area soothed, but the cheaper cream's basic formula will soothe skin with zero chance of irritation. Plus you get the instant gratification of brighter eyes from its light-reflective particles.

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Night Treatments
Less
Biore Restore Skin Boosting Night Serum, $10
Luxe
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrate, $85
Ingredients in action
Vitamin A in the drugstore product is the superstar responsible for skin cell turnover. It also hosts vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps repair minor skin damage. The pricy version is loaded with antioxidants and anti-irritants like amentoflavone and grape seed extract.
And the winner is
Additional additives in the cheaper treatment like chamomile, rose hip and aloe soothe and calm skin but added ingredients in the expensive product like linoleic acid and wheat bran (to strengthen skin), and cholesterol and hyaluronic acid (to restore skin's barrier function), give this product the power to make serious changes!


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Firming Creams
Less
Olay Professional Pro-X Hydra Firming Cream, $42
Luxe
Aveda Green Science Firming Face Cream, $55
Ingredients in action
Palmitoyl peptides in the drugstore brand stimulate cells to perk up saggy skin. That paired with hexamidine increases skin's thickness. Cactus in the pricier cream has been shown to build collagen. Plus it contains glucosamine which can enhance skin's natural plumpness.
And the winner is
Vitamin E and shea butter in the expensive product smooth skin to reduce the look of fine lines -- and it is hard to resist the dreamy smell of anything mostly plant-derived but give the drugstore brand a chance. Its hero additive (vitamin B3) strengthens skin and repairs the moisture barrier, making thinner-skinned areas look less crepey.

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Anti-Aging Serums
Less
L'Oreal Paris Advanced Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate Clinical Action, $17
Luxe
Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster Serum Line Minimizer and Complexion Enhancer, $125
Ingredients in action
Retinol in the drugstore product is responsible for skin cell turnover. It also contains moisturizing glycerin and a patented ingredient called Pro-Lastyl that claims to stimulate elastin production to reduce fine lines. Hyaluronic acid and palmitoyl peptides in the high-end product increase moisture and build collagen.
And the winner is
Oodles of added ingredients in the expensive serum like wheat protein, glycerin and panthenol will enhance skin's suppleness and improve texture. But choosing the cheaper product will give you the power of vitamin A, which has been dubbed by derms as the "holy grail" in anti-aging regimes.

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