Where to Save—and Where to Splurge—in Your Skincare Regimen

You don’t always need to spend a lot of money on skincare. Experts share which products you should invest in, and where you can save a little dough.So you’ve decided to upgrade your skincare regimen from bar soap and body lotion alone. Good call. But whether you’re at CVS or Sephora, things can get confusing—and expensive—fast. A cleanser can set you back $6 or $60. A serum could cost you as much as a sandwich or more than a dinner for two.When you’re serious about building a better skincare routine, it pays to know where your money actually matters. Sometimes the cheap bottle at CVS will do just fine. Other times, spending more gets you a formulation that’s genuinely worth the upgrade.To help separate smart splurges from skincare markups, we asked two dermatologists where it’s worth opening your wallet and where you can safely save your cash.Save: CleanserYour cleanser doesn’t need to cost more than your lunch. Its job is simple: remove sweat, oil, and buildup without stripping your skin. “Since it spends very little time on the skin and is not designed to penetrate the skin barrier, this is a smart place to save money,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, a double board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic in New York City. Don’t complicate things here. A bare-bones cleanser that doesn’t leave your face tight or dry is all you need to get the job done.CetaphilGentle Skin CleanserVanicreamGentle Facial Cleanser for Sensitive SkinSave: Hyaluronic Acid SerumThink of hyaluronic acid as a tall glass of water for parched skin. It’s a humectant that helps draw moisture into the skin and keep it there. According to Engelman, a straightforward, budget-friendly find will suffice. “A hydrating hyaluronic acid serum does not need to contain expensive delivery technology or additional active ingredients in order to be effective,” she says.The OrdinaryHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum with CeramidesNaturiumQuadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5%Save: Lip BalmChapped lips are annoying, but solving them doesn’t need to cost much. “The lips primarily need hydration and protection from moisture loss, and formulas don’t need to be complicated,” says David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Soho Dermatology in New York City. In other words, this is another category where cheap and cheerful works. Kim is a big fan of Vaseline Lip Therapy and previously told GQ it’s “the best lip balm, period.”VaselineLip Therapy Advanced Healing Moisturizer (2-Pack)AquaphorLip Repair Ointment (2-Pack)Splurge: Vitamin C SerumVitamin C is one of skincare’s most popular ingredients—and one of its most finicky. When it’s formulated well, it can help protect against environmental damage while brightening the look of dark spots and uneven skin tone. When it isn’t, you may be paying for a serum that isn’t doing much at all.“Vitamin C is one category where formulation science really matters,” says Engelman. “L-ascorbic acid [i.e., pure vitamin C] is notoriously difficult to stabilize and deliver effectively in a topical formula, as it can oxidize with exposure to light, air, and other environmental conditions.” Formulas vary widely in terms of efficacy, shelf life, and sensory experience, she adds. If you’re going to splurge on a daytime product, this is a defensible place to do it.SkinbetterAlto Advanced Defense and Repair SerumSplurge: RetinoidsRetinoids are the heavy hitters your nighttime regimen needs to fight signs of aging—think fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration—while you sleep. That doesn’t mean the most expensive retinoid is automatically the best one. The goal is to find a product (and strength) that you can tolerate well enough to apply regularly.“Retinoids can be irritating, so investing in a well-formulated product that works for your skin without causing unnecessary dryness or irritation can make it easier to use consistently,” says Kim. He’s a fan of Medik8’s Retinal—which comes in different strengths based on your skin’s tolerance—for concerns ranging from fine lines and hyperpigmentation to acne and post-acne marks.Medik8Crystal Retinal 3 SerumDieuxFirm Revival HydroRetinal Firming SerumSplurge: Multitasking TreatmentsWant to address a few concerns without turning your bathroom counter into a chemistry lab? “Particularly for men—many of whom do not want a complicated multi-step routine—I love a sophisticated formula that targets several concerns with a single product,” says Engelman. “This is where investing makes sense: You’re paying for the science behind the formulation, the combination of advanced actives, and the ability to accomplish multiple treatment goals in a single step.” If you’re spending three figures (or getting close), look for clinical data to justify it.Dr. Engelman singles out Dr. Diamond’s Metacine InstaFacial Emulsion as an excellent multitasker, which combines retinoids, growth factors, lipopeptides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid into one nighttime treatment. Another worthy option is Eighth Day’s Regenerative Serum, a lightweight treatment designed to tackle 10 signs of aging—including wrinkles, large pores, and sun damage—in a single step.Dr. Diamond's MetacineInstafacial Emulsion Retinopro Growth Factor Night CreamEighth DayRegenerative SerumSplurge: Sunscreen You’ll Want to WearSunscreen has a bad rap for being chalky, greasy, and generally unpleasant to wear. But it’s also the most important product in your lineup—and one that you should be using 365 days a year, full stop. “For sunscreen, the most important factor is finding one you will actually use consistently,” says Kim. “I always recommend investing in a formula that feels good on the skin, doesn’t break you out, and makes daily application easy.” A pricier SPF can be worth it if it blends well, feels good, and means you’ll actually use it every day instead of leaving it to collect dust in your medicine cabinet.TatchaThe Silk Sunscreen SPF 50 Weightless Mineral SunscreenLightsaverTriplesome Serum SPF 40Not a subscriber? Join GQ to receive full access to GQ.com.