smartskin101

With the economy going through one heck of a rough patch, many of us may feel the need to cut back on our “spendy” beauty treatments.  I hear you loud and clear on this one.  Fortunately, just because your budget is sub-par, it doesn’t mean the quality of your products have to be as well.  It’s a naughty trick the beauty industry has played on consumers, leading us to believe that the greater the price, the greater the quality.  It simply isn’t true.  When it comes to the quality of skin products, often, the most significant difference comes from whether the product is over the counter or prescribed by an MD.  That isn’t to necessarily claim your $8 cream from the local drugstore is going to give you the same results as the $300 cream from the department store.  I can attest, however, that my tube of Cetaphil’s Moisturizing Cream has been a godsend for my dry and peeling skin, giving me superior hydration compared to La Mer’s Moisturizing Cream (a cream I used for years).  The point is, at the end of the day, take comfort in knowing you can save your skin, while sparing your bank account.

There’s no denying the allure of a beautiful complexion – or of an illuminated department store beauty counter, filled with elegant frosted jars and sleek glass bottles that promise a dewy glow and taut skin. But there’s also no denying the appeal of lower price tags, found on similar products at your local drugstore.

At the department store, you’ll encounter trained sales associates ready to help you choose; at the drugstore, you’re on your own, facing lengthy rows of pump bottles and squeeze tubes that all claim to moisturize, balance, tighten skin or erase wrinkles. How do you know what will work?

Not to worry. There might not be too many differences.

“The biggest difference in skin care is between prescription and nonprescription,” says Dr. Jessica Wu, a dermatologist based in Westwood, Calif. “So without a doubt, prescription products will penetrate deeper and give a bigger result. But there are so many high-quality drugstore products that I recommend to my patients every day. Read more.