The Save: RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream, $22.99

The Splurge:
StriVectin Advanced Retinol Intensive Night Treatment, $112

The Breakdown:
Any derm will tell you that retinol is one of the most effective anti-aging ingredients because it directly interacts with our DNA to increase the functions that our cells slack on as we get older. For example, it boosts cell turnover, which leads to fresher, more radiant skin.

According to cosmetic chemist Donald Frey, you won't find an effective retinol for cheap. "Even mass products are in the $20 to $30 range," he explains. Retinols vary in strength, and higher concentrations tend to be pricier. That said, Frey explains that when products go above the $50 to $60 range, "you are probably starting to pay more for the package and image than you are for the efficacy."

Based on the ingredients list, this StriVectin treatment contains a marginally higher dose of retinol than the RoC. However, the RoC product offers extra glow-inducing properties, including glycolic acid. On the front end, you can see results from both (used consistently for eight weeks, that is): namely a more radiant complexion and smoother skin. Even though the RoC is a fifth of the price, it isn't five times less effective.

The Save: Physicians Formula Argan Wear Ultra-Nourishing Argan Oil, $14.95

The Splurge:
Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil, $48

The Breakdown:
Argan oil promises to treat and moisturize irritated, dry and aging skin. In its purest form, it's an ancient cure-all. It's pretty easy to evaluate whether or not your argan oil is authentic, because pure argan oil should list just one ingredient: argan oil (aka, Argania Spinoza Kernel oil).

Both of these Josie Maran and Physician's Formula products fit that bill — and each feels nourishing, smells lovely and makes skin look utterly dewy. Admittedly, we prefer the Josie Maran packaging (the Physician's Formula bottle looks a bit like something out of Disney's "Aladdin," no?), but we're sure argan oil addicts on a budget will agree that a little Papyrus font never hurt anyone.

The Save: Boots Botanics Age Defense Microdermabrasion Polish, $12.99

The Splurge:
Fresh Sugar Face Polish, $62

The Breakdown:
Skin-care junkies on a budget can afford to pinch pennies with their exfoliator, according to Frey. "Save your money on your cleansers and first steps," he advises. In other words, as long as you're not "harming your skin with a harsh cleanser," this is not the place to get nitpicky about ingredients and percentages.

Keeping that in mind, Fresh's sugar scrub is the ultimate splurge. Infused with brown sugar, crushed strawberries and a variety of natural oils, it exfoliates, heals and softens skin, while making it smell amazing.

But if you can't blow 60 bucks on sugar, this Boots scrub gets the job done. It's not technically microdermabrasion, but the fine particles smoothen skin nicely, while the plant extracts leave it feeling soft. No hypnotizing smell, but skin tends to be okay with that.

The Save: Burt's Bees Radiance Day Cream, $18

The Splurge:
Guerlain Abeille Royale Nourishing Day Cream, $180

The Breakdown:
According to dermatologists, the most important step in your morning skin-care routine is sunscreen, which often works just fine as a moisturizer. However, if you have mature or dry skin, day creams offer an extra boost of hydration.

A basic, fragrance-free face lotion should do the trick for most skin types. But if you want a little more anti-aging bang for your buck, there are a number of trendy ingredients to try out. One of these is Royal Jelly, an antioxidant-packed honeybee derivative that's been shown to increase collagen production and moisture content in the skin.

You'll find Royal Jelly in these Guerlain and Burt's Bees moisturizers, which both feel hydrating and nourishing. The formulas are lightweight, non-greasy and fast-absorbing. Of course, you can't compare the packaging. The Guerlain jar looks like something from a museum. But for exactly ten times the price, it's definitely an extravagance.

The Save: Paula's Choice Resist C15 Super Booster, $48

The Splurge:
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, $162

The Breakdown:
We reach for serums when we want a concentrated dose of nutrients. Usually a serum is one of the last products to touch your skin (after cleansing and toning), so according to Frey, it's worth shelling out slightly more for clinically proven ingredients.

In terms of pricing, it's helpful to think of serums as the wine of skin care, meaning, you can tell a difference between a $10 and a $50 bottle, but between $50 and $500, the difference is mostly reputation.

This SkinCeuticals tonic is packed with ferulic acid, which protects against photoaging (aka, wrinkles caused by the sun), as well as Vitamins C and E, which further fortify that barrier. With the price tag, you're paying for the high concentrations of these active ingredients.

For less than a third of the price, this Paula's Choice serum is quite similar, sporting nearly equal percentages of each antioxidant. The product even boasts the same distinctive, almost meaty scent of the SkinCeuticals. (Weird, we know.)

Though you can find even less expensive products at the drugstore (the "Two-Buck Chucks" of serums, if you will), that's when you start noticing a drastic change in ingredients and efficacy.