Ouch. I flinch at the spoilt problem of falling in love with a serum I’ve been sent, looking up the price to purchase it myself, and seeing it’s (sometimes well) over $100.
A mistake I’ve truly only made a handful of times. It always leaves me thinking, are expensive serums really worth it?
I now do the research and politely inform brands that anything above $100 that doesn’t turn me into a two-week-old baby just won’t suit my audience.
We are bargain hunters through and through and get a true kick out of budget beauty. Nothing like the thrill of finding an $18 serum that makes your heart sing!
Do Expensive Skincare Products Work Better?
So, are expensive skincare products actually better for your skin?
The short answer is: maybe sometimes, but mostly no. A higher price tag can mean more elegant formulations, better textures, thoughtful ingredient pairings, and a more enjoyable user experience, but it doesn’t automatically guarantee better results for your skin.
In many cases, you’re paying for refinement, research, branding, and how a product feels to use day after day, rather than a miracle ingredient you couldn’t find elsewhere.
Read: New Zealand-Born Daily Skincare Brings Affordable Luxury to Priceline and Woolworths
That’s where things get interesting, especially when you’re acne-prone, sensitive, or someone who loves skincare but still wants value for money.
Let’s jump into three pricey serums I’ve tried that I did (unfortunately) love, and that I haven’t found affordable alternatives for just yet.
Let’s Start Smart – Dermalogica Smart Response Serum, $235.00
Dermalogica Smart Response Serum cost: 30ml $235 – 59ml $359
You’re not going to like what I have to say. I loved this serum. Adored it. It became my AM and PM serum, and I used it on retinol and exfoliation nights too.
I loved the calm and relaxation it brought to my skin. The cream-gel texture was perfect, and I looked forward to using it.
Did I notice a huge reduction in my hyperpigmentation? No. But I did notice the usual blemishes popping up had a shorter lifespan and didn’t scar as badly.
The genius? Gallic Acid, which claims to soothe and reduce the appearance of redness, alongside Mannose-6-Phosphate, which brightens the skin and can reduce the appearance of dark spots.
While I’m usually quick to dismiss a serum that says “it’s the magical XXX and not the high % of niacinamide that’s fading your spots, promise!!!”, there was something ever so magical in this bottle that reduced the redness of my skin and, as a result, felt much more preventative than many other serums I’ve used.
During my research for this article, it’s pretty clear there’s a cult following, with devotees waiting until 30% off sales to stock up.
That seems like a smart move. An encouraging review mentions, “This lasted me three months of use!” and I have to agree. The spreadability is wonderful, being so emollient.
My First “AHA” Love – Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Night Serum, $144.00
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Night Serum cost: 30ml $144.00 – 50ml $215.00, sometimes available in a mini set
Perhaps because it was a true OG ~influenced~ moment, long before my beauty blogging days. Kathleen Lights posted this video, and I remember clear as day thinking, “This is my entry to skincare. This $215 serum. I simply can’t start anywhere else.”
Was it pure ecstasy? Or was it a beautifully crafted blend of AHAs and salicylic acid in a lightweight, hydrating base? (It was the latter.)
I distinctly remember part of my lip lightening on my first night of use and noticing a difference in my skin texture from night one, supporting the hearty price tag.
The good news? Due to its quick-as-lightning action on the skin, pinching a sample from MECCA might help you figure out if this is for you.
The user experience is also fabulous. It’s elegant and fun to dive into the world of Drunk Elephant. While you’re at it, keep a sharp eye out for their limited-edition mini kits that come and go. You can grab a decent deal and trial their famous T.L.C. at a much lower buy-in.
Green? Surely This Is Gimmicky – SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel, $109.00
SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel cost: 30ml $109
Finishing off very strong, with the one serum from this list I would repurchase despite the price tag. Soothing on application and immediately correcting on the skin, there is a very surreal “I get it” moment.
What else does SkinCeuticals seem to very much understand? That acne-prone skin is sensitive skin. This product and its description have a fabulous understanding of the negative effects that inflammation has on healing blemishes and just how sensitive spotty skin truly is.
Promising 14 weeks of use in one bottle at three drops per application, I’m very happy to report that this is indeed what I found.
A constant positive groundhog day of having more pricey serum to use. Botanical extracts of thyme, olive, and cucumber work to soothe on contact, while hyaluronic acid plumps the skin. Hydrated skin is happy skin.
The experience for me was lovely, and for the first time in a while, I felt relief my skin simply hadn’t touched as I went through this bottle over a cystic acne stint.
The Honest Truth About Expensive Serums
All skincare is catered to a consumer. Some want results and don’t care that they’re rubbing in grains of 100% ascorbic acid suspended in a pretty clunky cream (I’m looking at you, The Ordinary) – or perhaps even opt for over-the-counter goodies like Finacea or a prescription vitamin A.
For some, skincare is a chore or a necessity, no more inviting than their nightly floss. For others, including myself, I demand an elevated experience that makes skincare self-care. I enjoy scents, textures, and colours – as long as they don’t upset my skin.
In the early skincare days, it was so fun to learn about the brand values and beliefs of Drunk Elephant, for example. The way to experience this movement was to use one of their products.
They have the airless pump – which they promise is the best option out there – although often not needed, countless fancy extracts at percentages that’d make you question their validity for effect on the skin. But still, all this added up to a unique product that connected with 19-year-old Minnie and made a lasting impact.
I will simply not tell you not to spend over $100, because that’s silly (it’s your money).
I am, however, happy that with time, the skincare landscape has developed to make the same significant consumer connection with more affordable and accessible products – and I think that’s pretty darn cool!
What do you think? Do you like your skincare a little luxe? Comment below and let us know!
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