Luxe vs. Less Skin Care

Find out what products to splurge on and when to save your hard-earned dollars

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Firming Creams

Less: Olay Professional Pro-X Hydra Firming Cream, $42

Luxe: Aveda Green Science Firming Face Cream, $55

Ingredients in action
Palmitoyl peptides in the drugstore brand stimulate cells to perk up saggy skin. That paired with hexamidine increases skin's thickness. Cactus in the pricier cream has been shown to build collagen. Plus it contains glucosamine which can enhance skin's natural plumpness.

And the winner is
Vitamin E and shea butter in the expensive product smooth skin to reduce the look of fine lines -- and it is hard to resist the dreamy smell of anything mostly plant-derived but give the drugstore brand a chance. Its hero additive (vitamin B3) strengthens skin and repairs the moisture barrier, making thinner-skinned areas look less crepey.

Member Comments

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cetaphil is gentle enough to use on babies also.

I rated this article: 10 out of 10

by brownie44April 29, 2009 at 06:48AM Report as inappropriate

I tried this ProX line for 28 days as suggested and found it made my deep set lines more pronounced. I'm going to take advantage of the money-back guarantee.

by queenofwandsApril 13, 2009 at 05:31AM Report as inappropriate

Try Susan Lucci's microderm system. Same price but you get all the products, several heads for other areas of the body. I've been using for years and it's fabulous and still haven't had to replace anything.

by queenofwandsApril 13, 2009 at 05:23AM Report as inappropriate

Cetaphyl does not remove my makeup very well.

by snowgurlApril 03, 2009 at 06:37AM Report as inappropriate

I have followed several of your lower cost alternatives and have found them to be accurate. These are great articles. Please do more.

I rated this article: 10 out of 10

by BunnyGirlFebruary 12, 2009 at 03:49PM Report as inappropriate

Interesting comparisons. I just tried Kiehls face cleanser (sample) and I love it - just a tiny squeeze cleans all makeup, even mascara. No fragrance, doesn't dry - a great product.

by deepopoFebruary 01, 2009 at 04:17PM Report as inappropriate

I love BOOTS! It is from England and it is now in the US at some CVS stores as well as Target. I work for Lancome and I still buy Boots....It is amazing and a third of the price of Department store brands!

I rated this article: 10 out of 10

by jjstyleJanuary 31, 2009 at 07:53PM Report as inappropriate

This article is helpful, but lacks to mention, alot of the cheaper versions are full of parabans which is a growing concern to the skin care industry.

I rated this article: 6 out of 10

by AdamsEve08January 31, 2009 at 08:59AM Report as inappropriate

I've found that some drug stores have their own cheaper version of Cetaphil too. It's VERY gentle and great to use if you have bad sunburn. It may be too gentle to remove makeup though and may leave oil-prone skin not feeling clean enough.

I rated this article: 10 out of 10

by EzraGirlJanuary 28, 2009 at 01:03PM Report as inappropriate

Cetaphil is fabulous! And it's no wonder derms recommend it... With a neutral ph, it doesn't strip your skin of its natural oils/barrier.

by PamelaPJanuary 28, 2009 at 10:16AM Report as inappropriate

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