Skin Care

The Real Difference Between Affordable and Expensive Skin Care

Eye creams, face oils, sheet masks, oh my. Here, what to buy when you're feeling thrifty and what's worth spending on when it's time to indulge

by Amanda Montell | COMMENT

PHOTO 6/14

Save vs. Splurge: Acne Treatment The Save: Proactiv+ Three-Step System, $29.95

The Splurge:
SkinMedica Acne System, $104

The Breakdown:
In the land of acne treatments, two ingredients reign supreme: benzoyl peroxide, which acts as an antiseptic, and salicylic acid, a chemical exfoliator. The former tends to work best on bacteria-laden whiteheads and the latter on blackheads and big, red blemishes. Used together, they combat all of the above.

SkinMedica's pricier kit contains a 2 percent salicylic acid cleanser and toner, as well as a 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide moisturizer. The Proactive+ kit features a 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide cleanser and pore treatment, plus a 0.5 percent salicylic acid moisturizer.

The ingredients are the same; it's the products and concentrations that differ. While SkinMedica focuses more on salicylic acid and Proactiv+ on benzoyl peroxide, both ingredients are proven effective. And according to Frey, when an ingredient's percentage is stated directly, it means that percentage is guaranteed for the life of the product. In other words, you can trust both kits won't expire on you.

Marketing-wise, Proactiv+ has geared its product more toward teens and young adults, and SkinMedica toward adult-acne sufferers. Thus, one possible difference in price. But when you break it down, effective ingredients work — and Proactiv+'s won't care how old you are, as long as you don't.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Save vs. Splurge: Eye Cream

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