Spendy:Peter Thomas Roth Firmx Growth Factor Extreme Neuropeptide Serum, $150
Thrifty:Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum, $26.99
Money saved: $123
Why you'll love it: "Peter Thomas Roth Firmx is a good serum, but it's needlessly pricey. It's actually closer to a moisturizer formula than a serum formula," says Begoun. Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum, which has amino-peptides and a B3 complex that penetrate deep into the skin to hydrate skin, will give you similar wrinkle-reducing results.
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Face cleanser
Spendy:Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, $38
Thrifty:Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleanser, $7.50
Money saved: $30.50
Why you'll love it: Fresh's Soy Face Cleanser is gentle for sensitive skin, and soy increases collagen production — therefore helping even out skin tone and texture. The Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleanser is a "less expensive cleanser that's very gentle and also contains various forms of soy," says Begoun.
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Clay mask
Spendy:Boscia Luminizing Black Mask, $34
Thrifty:Boots Botanics Conditioning Clay Mask, $8.99
Money saved: $25
Why you'll love it: "The Boscia mask is an old-fashioned peel-off mask that contains several skin irritants," says Begoun. "Those with oily skin will likely find it makes their oiliness worse, because irritation stimulates excess oil production deep in the pores," says Begoun. A far better choice for an oil-absorbing mask (or a mask that dries on skin which you then rinse) is Boots Conditioning Clay Mask. "Both masks contain clay, which helps absorb oil," says Begoun. "But the Boots mask uses a gentler clay that doesn't have any irritants. It also contains a soothing agent (burdock root), which can help reduce redness."
We all have that friend who goes to Sephora every day after work, drops by the department store beauty counter during her lunch break, and is the first to know about the newest moisturizer/eye cream/"it" anti-aging product.
For her, the mere thought of buying a drugstore skin care product makes her die a little inside.
Now don't get us wrong, we have nothing against beauty brand junkies. And we're the first to admit that cleansing with Clarins gives us not-so-cheap thrills, too. But what's a beauty editor on a budget to do? Find cheaper alternatives that work just as well as those crazy spendy products, of course.
Here's a little insider secret: While some prestige brands have hefty price tags to cover their high quality ingredients, a good chunk of their production costs go to their fancy-looking packaging. In fact, many brands spend more resources designing the package than creating the formula itself. On the flip side, drugstore brands' bucks go into researching the product formulas — which means much of what you can buy for $20 or less at CVS is pretty damn similar to what you'll pay $80 and up for at the department store.
That's why we went to skin care expert Paula Begoun, best-selling author of "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me," to find out which drugstore products are truly comparable with high-end faves. Now you too can have flawless skin like your Sephora-obsessed friend — except with more cash in your pocket to spend at H&M, too.
