Are high-end products worth the price? Really.

[m139]

Good day gents & ladies. Since I joined B&B and started DE shaving, I also started paying much closer attention to my overall skin care routine (and lack thereof). With that in mind, I've been experimenting with different product lines across a wide range of price points. I'm almost 39 and although (thank God) I don't have any noticeable wrinkles yet, I'm still interested in starting early with a good face regiment in hopes of keeping my skin in good condition.

With that said, I have decided that my face routine should look like this:

Morning:
1) Cleanser while showering
2) Shave
3) AS
4) Moisturizer

Evening (before bed):
1) Cleanser with beads or Cleanser + face brush (i.e. light exfoliation)
2) Anti-aging serum
3) Moisturizer (or night moisturizer)

Once a week - add a clay mask to the evening routine between steps 1) & 2)

So, now comes my dilemma. I've used Menscience products, Neutrogena, and Kyoku and to be very honest I can't tell the difference. Then again, to be more honest, I have not stuck to either one for more than a week or so and I keep alternating. I did learn that Menscience contains parabens and I called them but their response was that the FDA determined parabens in daily dosages are not harmful to men.

As for pricing, the Menscience stuff is very pricey ($25 for the wash, $30 for the scrub, $35 for the moisturizer, $35 for the mask, $55 for the serum). On the other hand, Neutrogena falls on the low end of the price scale (i.e. avg of $8-10 each) and contains similar ingredients. The Kyoku products do not contain any BHA or AHA and fall in the middle of the price range.

I'm currently using Kyoku and they feel like they clean but the moisturizer is a bit oily and leaves my face a little slippery.

I need some feedback regarding what to do.... should I pick one line and stick to it for a good while? If so, then I might as well pick the least expensive one and try it for at least a few weeks and if it's working well then no need to go elsewhere.

However, I'd like to know what the pricier stuff has that the others don't? Is it just the name or is there really a difference in the quality?

 

[oakeshott]

Most skin care products are bunk with no evidence of any efficacy whatsoever. Some,I've heard from others who should know, have some efficacy but none of them are even remotely as important to the appearance of your skin as either life style or genetics. The genetics is done, but as for lifestyle, stay out of the sun, don't drink or smoke and get a moderate amount of exercise or activity. By this I'm referring to products that claim to eliminate wrinkles or prevent aging. There are things that are soothing for trauma like sunburn or razor burn etc.

I've also heard that sex will clear up acne and though the science on that is unproven, I'm working on accumulating sufficient data to draw more concrete conclusions.

 

[sharpen]

Ingredients may be better in more expensive products. But paying $30-40 for something you apply on your face and then simply rinse (except for shaving soaps/creams) is a bit excessive in my opinion, unless you have trouble skin that needs specific products.

I have not found any difference between $30 LaRoche Posay and Biotherm products, compared to the $6-$10 Nivea and Neutrogena stuff. (although my skin is not sensitive and has no problems, so I guess I am lucky on that side)

 

[Konrad]

A quick way to determine whether a product is worth the price is to consider how much of that price goes into/is determined by marketing. Worthwhile high quality brands, both priced high and low tend to have very little marketing in my experience, maybe because they rely on a dependable and loyal consumer base (e.g. Pinaud and barbers).

 

[babydials]

For some products it can be just an name thing. But certain skin friendly ingredients (or a scent that you love) can be worth spending more for. And some ingredients are worth paying to avoid. My skin hates sodium laurel sulfate (in shampoo it makes my scalp itch and in toothpaste it gives me canker sores). These days no one seems to use PABA anymore, but that made a mess of my pores.

Let's face it, ARKO may not be the most popularly scented product on earth, but spending more does not guarantee you better shaving soap.

 

[m139]

Most skin care products are bunk with no evidence of any efficacy whatsoever. Some,I've heard from others who should know, have some efficacy but none of them are even remotely as important to the appearance of your skin as either life style or genetics. The genetics is done, but as for lifestyle, stay out of the sun, don't drink or smoke and get a moderate amount of exercise or activity. By this I'm referring to products that claim to eliminate wrinkles or prevent aging. There are things that are soothing for trauma like sunburn or razor burn etc.

I've also heard that sex will clear up acne and though the science on that is unproven, I'm working on accumulating sufficient data to draw more concrete conclusions.

That explains why I started having breakouts after getting married!

But seriously, thanks all for replying and I also feel that less expensive stuff that has been around for years relies less on marketing and more on loyalty and word of mouth. For example, Proraso makes probably some of the best shaving products out there and the price is at the bottom 10%... same goes for Pinaud. I think sticking with Neutrogena and the like is going to be a safer bet for me, especially since I don't really have sensitive skin and I see no need to pay for marketing campaigns and expensive packaging. If I give Neutrogena a good try for 4-6 weeks and I'm not happy, then I'll think about spending more. Otherwise, I like the feedback here and I'll follow the advice. Thanks.

 

[Phog Allen]

I certainly concur about some of the high end products. Many are more hype than function. Particularly when it comes to aftershave and moisturising products. Then again, some products warrant their price. Years ago VitaMan from Australia made the best a/s product I have used. An aloe base gel type product it was simply magic on my skin. It was about $25 for 150ml tube. Expensive? Yes it was. But it was most assuredly worth it because it worked for me. Sadly they changed the formula and it is not as good so it is NOT worth it to me now. Price can be very subjective when it comes to performance. And trust me, there is more than one chap who has succumbed to; at this price it is going to be good syndrome. It happens to us all if you hang around here long enough.

I will say this. Leaving shave lathers aside, I have found that 95% of artisan bath soaps, skin lotion/moisturiser/conditioner and shampoo bars have left most commercial products in their wake. And many times at a fraction of the cost. I really like the products by Michelle at Mystic Water Soap. I rounded up a nice selection of her bathing bars and skin conditioners for my wife. Top shelf in my opinion. There are other artisans here as well and most are more than willing to work with you on scent and what type of product you are looking for. Charles at QED also had one pound bags of French green clay for less than ten dollars the last time I checked. A very reasonable way to approach the technique of masking. Just go to a Clinique counter or other 'designer' name at a mall store and see what they want for a small jar of mask. My wife is assailed by these sales types every time we go there. The prices will floor you. Best of luck sorting it out for your needs.

Cheers, Todd

 

[m139]

Thanks again for the feedback. I went to my local drug store (CVS) and picked up some of Neutrogena's "Ageless" line which is their higher end stuff. Even at that, I paid $35 for facial cleanser, facial scrub, pore refining toner, and moisturizer... all for the price of one product from Menscience. I've decided to stick to this line for at least 4 weeks and see how i do. If all is good, then there's not need to spend more money for no reason. Thanks again.

 

[Nester]

Keep us posted, m139!

 

[Simcon]

Most skin care products are bunk with no evidence of any efficacy whatsoever. Some,I've heard from others who should know, have some efficacy but none of them are even remotely as important to the appearance of your skin as either life style or genetics. The genetics is done, but as for lifestyle, stay out of the sun, don't drink or smoke and get a moderate amount of exercise or activity. By this I'm referring to products that claim to eliminate wrinkles or prevent aging. There are things that are soothing for trauma like sunburn or razor burn etc.

I've also heard that sex will clear up acne and though the science on that is unproven, I'm working on accumulating sufficient data to draw more concrete conclusions.

All for the sake of science! I like this chap .

 

[Beerhunter]

Wow I just try to keep my soap and as under $20. Same goes for the AS sure if one wants to use all the stuff the op mentioned
and it isn't going to break the bank I see no problem there. For me I just want to get a clean face w/ bbs. Maybe a different as to keep things interesting ( for me to use the same As day in day out I start to hate the smell of it).
i did splurge w/ my tax refund bought prosrao red and floid blue.

 

[Jawaburger]

One thing to note is that you do not need to get all the products from the same company. If you really like the facial cleanser from one company, but their moisturizer leaves your face greasy, keep using their facial cleanser but look for a different moisturizer. The companies will try to sell you "the whole line" but it doesn't mean it will work best for you.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Also, you likely don't need 90%of those products anyways. Soap and a moisturizer will take care of most of your skincare needs, you should really make other products prove their worth before you make them a regular part of your routine.