Where To Save & Splurge On Skin Care, From A Cosmetic Chemist

Caring for your skin is essential, as it is your body's largest organ. That being said, most people don't wish to spend a pretty penny on every single item—especially if their lineup consists of more than a few products. (And at the end of the day, no product can replace the simple act of taking care of yourself.)

Basic skin care does not need to be astronomically expensive. However, some ingredients cost more than others on the manufacturing side as well. According to Ford, retinol (in its many forms) is one of them: "It's not a cheap ingredient, nor is it cheap to stabilize," Ford tells mbg. 

What exactly does "stability" mean in skin care? Well, less stable ingredients are more subject to degradation when exposed to air, light, heat, or water in some cases. When the ingredient is unstable, it may be less effective and can even cause more damage to the skin. 

This is why you'll oftentimes see products like retinol stored in airtight containers that protect the ingredient from destabilizing factors like those above. The same is true for the buzzy skin brightener vitamin C. 

When it comes to products like cleansers and hydrating serums, the pricier products will oftentimes provide a better sensorial experience. "The more money you spend on a product, the better it will feel on the skin; that's the point of luxury skin care," Ford explains.

For example, a less expensive hyaluronic acid serum may feel a bit sticky on the skin, while the pricier option may leave behind a smoother surface. An affordable oil cleanser may take a bit of work to fully rinse off the skin, while the more expensive product may wash off with ease. Of course, we're generalizing here, and you can certainly find sensorially appealing options at budget prices, but it's an overall pattern Ford has found from years in the industry.

However, cleansers and simple serums like hyaluronic acid oftentimes deliver similar results. "They do what they claim to do, and they may not have the best texture, but they deliver on their performance," Ford explains. 

Figuring out where to spend and where to save on skin care is no easy task. As a general rule of thumb: Invest in products that are notoriously unstable, like vitamin C and retinol serums.