Does Expensive Skincare Really Work?
back in 2019 when filters were a thing
Skincare is unique; it is different for every skin type. The textures, the feelings, and the price points are just some of the aspects we examine when it comes to skincare. I find this topic particularly interesting due to how much the beauty industry is focused on skincare alone. "Skin care—the sector’s largest category, accounting for 44 percent of the market—grew 6 percent in 2023" (McKinsey & Company). For me, I love skincare and makeup; creating a hybrid of both always captures my interest. One important point we often emphasize is that, in order to have good makeup, you need good skin.
Ever since I was little, I have always been intrigued by skincare. It was something I naturally gravitated toward and found fascinating. When I was planning to attend the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, I initially decided to major in beauty marketing, but for some reason, that intimidated me. I ended up switching my major and chose to pursue digital media marketing instead. Fast forward two years, I transferred to Southern Methodist University and ended up in fashion media and advertising, a field that still scares me to this day. However, this journey has deepened my passion for fashion and skincare.
So the real question is: does expensive skincare truly work in comparison to more affordable options? For me, the answer is yes, although it’s important to remember that experiences will vary from person to person. Recently, I have struggled to find skincare products that work for my skin. I was constantly breaking out in the same areas of my face, dealing with hyperpigmentation, and nothing I tried seemed to help.
La Mer after first use
I come from a background of trying almost every skincare product under the sun since middle school, and the only thing that truly worked for me was CeraVe. The foaming facial cleanser and the daily moisturizing lotion were my two favorite products I’d always reach for and vouch for. Then one day, it stopped working, and skincare, unfortunately, can do that. You think you’ve found your holy grail product, then suddenly it stops working. I decided to bite the bullet and start investing in my skin; I wanted to look 20 when I’m 50. I started off with Aesop: their Amazing Facial Cleanser, Lucent Face Serum, and the Seeking Silence Moisturizer. Don’t get me wrong; these products are great, and they’re also aesthetic too if that plays a factor in your bathroom. However, my skin just didn’t seem to enjoy the products, as they made me break out more, and overall it just wasn’t loving it. I struggled with my confidence due to the number of pimples I was getting, which then led to acne scarring. This was something I decided I needed to fix.
Here we go: the expensive skincare world has entered. La Mer, the semi-annual Sephora sale was about to start, and I kept seeing people recommend the La Mer Facial Concentrate and the Treatment Lotion, so I decided to try the whole line. I used the Essence Facial Foaming Cleanser, The Concentrate, and lastly, The Moisturizing Soft Cream. These products left my skin glowy, hydrated, and overall amazing. I loved how they felt on my face, except for the foaming facial cleanser; it left my skin feeling way too stripped. One thing I was mainly concerned about was the scent. It really gave that spa-like feel, but was the scent too much? Fortunately, I did notice a difference in my skincare, and my redness was starting to go away, but the price point was not my favorite. A complete skincare routine would run me over a grand, which didn’t seem like the best investment for myself.
I eventually thought to myself, what other brands are there that I can use that would actually be a great investment? Enter Augustinus Bader, a privately owned skincare brand that doesn’t have crazy prices and still delivers some of the best results. When I switched over, I was hooked. I saw results right away and loved every single product; it made me want to get the full sizes. I started with these three core products: The Cream Cleansing Gel, The Rich Cream, and The Eye Cream. I love how all these products don’t have any fragrance, and truly, little goes a long way. The cleansing gel still allows me to feel clean yet hydrated, and the rich cream leaves my skin super dewy. The eye cream has such an amazing texture that I fell in love with its serum-like yet thick formula. It’s only been a couple of days, but I can’t wait to see the results in the coming weeks. I will definitely be updating here.
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