Are Expensive Products Worth the Hype?

Many consumers have come to believe that the more expensive the product is, the better it will work. However, this is not always true. In many cases, you are paying for fancy packaging, marketing campaigns, and celebrity endorsement, rather than a higher-quality product. Additionally, just because a product is expensive and “high-end” doesn’t necessarily mean it is the right product for your Baumann Skin Type.

One product that you absolutely want to make sure you can easily afford is sunscreen. If you buy an expensive product, you will be less likely to use as much as you need and reapply it as often as necessary. So go with a product with a reasonable price tag so you won’t be tempted to use it sparingly. Use at least ¼ teaspoon of SPF to your face every day. I like EltaMD Elements and PCA Skin Weightless Protection, but choose a product that you like and will apply diligently.

That said, there are a few instances where it pays to splurge on a skincare product or two. These products are worth the extra money because they are difficult to formulate and package.

Retinoids

Retinoids – which include retinol, tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene, and many others – are derivatives of vitamin A and need to be formulated and packaged in such a way that will keep them stable and active. Never use a retinoid that is packaged in a jar, as it will break down too easily and lose effectiveness quickly. Instead, look for retinoids packed in opaque tubes, and store them in a cool, dry environment.

Growth Factors

Growth factors in skincare have become a popular trend, but it is important to understand that not all products containing growth factors are equal. Growth factors are natural substances produced by skin cells and play a crucial role in skin cell growth and rejuvenation. However, these ingredients can be very unstable (and ineffective) if not properly formulated and are therefore expensive to make.

SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex uses a patented process for harvesting human growth factors to ensure their stability and efficacy. So while this particular product is on the expensive side, you are getting your money’s worth in terms of the quality and effectiveness of the ingredients.

Heparan Sulfate

Heparan sulfate is a breakthrough anti-aging ingredient that helps skin cells “hear” messages growth factors better. Studies have shown that the amount of heparan sulfate naturally found in the skin decreases with age. So adding a heparan sulfate analogue could help to improve signs of aging such as lines, wrinkles, and thinning skin. Currently, only the cosmeceutical brand Sente has a patent on heparan sulfate in skincare, and these products are only available through physicians.

Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C is another excellent anti-aging ingredient for your skin, but it is also very unstable if it is not formulated, packaged, and stored properly. Vitamin C is also most effective at a lower pH and can become deactivated by high pH environments. For these reasons, you’ll pay more for a high-quality vitamin C serum such as SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic or Phloretin CF, but the tradeoff is that you are getting a stable product that will be effective for a longer period of time.

In Summary

In many instances, going for the most expensive skincare product on the shelf is a waste of money and won’t affect your outcome. Choosing the correct products for your skin type and concerns is far more important than how much you spend.

However, when choosing certain anti-aging products and serums like those mentioned above, it is worth the extra money to splurge on a high-quality formulation.

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