Do Expensive Skincare Products Really Work Better?

The Big Question Everyone Asks

Let’s be honest. We have all stood in the skincare aisle holding a fancy jar with a price tag that makes your credit card sweat. The question in your head is always the same: If it costs more, does it work better?

The short answer is not always. But let’s break it down because skincare is not one-size-fits-all.

The Truth About Sunscreens

If there is one thing you should invest in, it is sunscreen. But here is the good news. Price does not equal protection.

What really matters is the label:

• Broad Spectrum – blocks both UVA and UVB
• SPF 30 or higher – anything above that is just bonus points
• Water-resistant if you are swimming or sweating

A $15 drugstore sunscreen with these boxes checked works just as well as a $100 luxury brand. The extra cost usually goes toward pretty packaging or a silky texture.

Moisturizers: Where Does the Money Go?

Moisturizers are a little trickier. The expensive ones often contain extras like peptides, antioxidants, or plant stem cells. These sound impressive, but your skin is not a plant. Do these add-ons help? Sometimes. Do you absolutely need them? Not always.

A basic moisturizer has one job. Keep water in your skin. If you have dry or sensitive skin, look for:

• Ceramides
• Hyaluronic acid
• Glycerin

You can find all of these in products under $30. Anything above that is usually about luxury textures or the brand name.

So Why Do Some Products Cost So Much?

The truth is that expensive products often come with:

• Marketing and fancy packaging
• A luxurious feel and fragrance
• Extra ingredients you may not actually need

Do they feel nice? Absolutely. Do they change your skin dramatically? Not really, unless we are talking about prescription products. Those come from your dermatologist, not a department store.

When Is It Worth Splurging?

There are times when spending more makes sense.

• If the product has a proven active ingredient at a clinically effective dose such as retinol or vitamin C
• If you love the texture and it makes you use it every day

Consistency matters more than price. A $20 cream you apply every day beats a $200 cream sitting in your cabinet untouched.

Final Thoughts from Dr. Powell

Do not feel guilty about skipping the luxury counter. Drugstore products can deliver fantastic results. Spend where it matters: on sunscreen and ingredients that have science behind them.

Your skin does not care about brand names. It cares about what is inside the bottle and how often you use it.