The Save: Mario Badescu Skin Care Seaweed Night Cream, $22

The Splurge:
La Mer Crème De La Mer, $170

The Breakdown:
Both La Mer and Mario Badescu's products use undersea plant extracts to create rich, deeply moisturizing face creams. While La Mer's texture is thicker and its scent is a touch more spa-like, there are other factors accounting for the price.

"La Mer's custom-made jar is much more expensive than standard [packaging]," explains Anne Pouillot, Research and Development Director at Alchimie Forever. Beyond the posh exterior, regardless of what it costs to manufacture the product itself, "pricing La Mer under $50 does not match the brand's story or desired customer," Pouillot explains.

In other words, La Mer is meant to be a splurge, while Mario Badescu tells a different story. It's a suite at the Four Seasons versus a double bed at the Marriott. One might be fancier, but at the end of the day, you'll sleep fine in both.

The Save: Neutrogena Wave Sonic Spinning Power-Cleanser, $16.49

The Splurge:
Clarisonic Mia 2 Facial Sonic Cleansing 2-Speed Brush, $149

The Breakdown:
Sonic cleansing devices promise to deliver a deeper clean than you can achieve with your hands.

Clarisonic's Mia 2 is a two-speed device, which you can customize with interchangeable brush heads ($27 each) depending on your skin type. You charge the device, then squeeze your favorite cleanser or makeup remover onto the brush head and glide it in circular motions over your face. The result is clean, smooth skin that feels like it's been purged of makeup, oil and dirt.

Neutrogena's two-speed Sonic Wave is a smaller battery-powered device. Though you can't switch out the brush heads or apply your cleanser of choice, it comes with a package of cleansing pads. You stick them on the device and discard after each use, which keeps things nice and clean for those with acne-prone skin. After use, your skin feels clean and soft, as well.

The Clarisonic comes in 15 colors and is overall more customizable than the Wave. It's a high-end product that delivers top-notch results. But if your budget can't accommodate the price tag, Neutrogena's drugstore device is a solid alternative.

The Save: CeraVe Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Face Lotion SPF 50, $14.99

The Splurge:
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream WetForce Broad Spectrum SPF 50+, $36

The Breakdown:
Shiseido devotees live and breathe by the brand's sunscreens, and this SPF 50 face cream is both moisturizing and protective. However, dermatologists agree that for as much as we use sunscreen (ahem, all day, every day), there's room to save here.

CeraVe's face lotion offers the same SPF level and is non-comedogenic, so it shouldn't clog pores or cause breakouts. It dries clear and stands up to sweat. The kicker? The formula contains ceramides, which help maintain skin's natural moisture and protective barrier.

Most importantly both products prevent sun damage, but if you can't shell out $36 on sunscreen, know that you're not missing out.

The Save: Rosebud Perfume Co. Smith's Rosebud Salve, $6

The Splurge:
By Terry Baume de Rose, $60

The Breakdown:
There are countless benefits to keeping your lips properly hydrated: Lipsticks apply smoother, your lip color last longer and your lips look more youthful over time. However, similar to eye cream, it doesn't take many ingredients (or dollar bills) to give your kisser the moisture it needs.

With just four simple ingredients, this classic Rosebud Salve leaves lips smooth and moisturized. The tin is adorable, and the scent is floral and heavenly.

For ten times the price, you can take home By Terry's version, which smells divine and makes lips soft with the help of about 40 more ingredients. "One additional ingredient to the formula equals one extra cost," Pouillot explains. By Terry's blend of pure rose essential wax, shea butter and other goodies certainly escalates the price. But what you get in the end is an equally pretty pink balm that smells like roses and makes lips soft. So, if you're not in the position to splurge, your skin won't suffer.

The Save: Garnier Clean+ Nourishing Cleansing Oil, $7.99

The Splurge:
AmorePacific Treatment Cleansing Oil, $50

The Breakdown:
A good cleansing oil nixes makeup and grime, while leaving skin supersoft. Simply massage the product into dry skin, add water until it emulsifies, rinse and voilà.

AmorePacifica's pricey version is divine. It's got an airy, natural scent and vitamin E-packed formula that cleanses nicely and leaves skin smooth. Not to mention, the bottle makes even the most cluttered bathroom countertop look instantly elegant.

But as we've learned, it's not crucial to spend the big bucks on cleansers, and this Garnier version is surprisingly comparable. It's non-greasy and does a remarkable job of removing even waterproof eye makeup. The blend of ingredients is slightly less high-end, containing fewer fancy plant extracts. But the final result is the same: soft, squeaky-clean skin.