What Sets Expensive Face Creams Apart from Cheap Ones?

Let's examine the main differences between expensive and budget creams.

Is it worth paying extra for a brand? This is a question every woman asks herself when choosing a face cream. We tend to believe that the more expensive the product, the more effective it is. But is this really the case? Let's examine the main differences between expensive and budget creams.

Quality of Ingredients

The first distinction between expensive and budget creams is the quality of the ingredients. Expensive creams often contain high-quality and rare ingredients that are listed at the beginning of the ingredient list. In contrast, budget creams may include more common and accessible components found towards the end of the list.

Cost of Ingredients and Additional Expenses

The price of a cream is influenced not only by the ingredients but also by packaging costs, the work of technologists, advertising, and logistics. Expensive products typically have more complex packaging and higher overhead costs.

Enhancer Systems

Enhancers are substances that help the active components of the cream work better. The more complex the enhancer system, the higher the product's price. Budget creams often rely on alcohols and essential oils, while more expensive brands may use advanced technologies like liposomal encapsulation, which allows active substances to penetrate through the stratum corneum of the epidermis.

Active Components

Active ingredients also play a role in determining the price. For example, ascorbic acid is an expensive component that requires special conditions for stabilization. Budget creams may attempt to circumvent this issue by using oil-soluble bases, while pricier brands encapsulate the active ingredient in liposomes, ensuring better penetration into the skin.

Unique Ingredients

Luxury brands often justify their high prices with unique ingredients. For instance, Guerlain Abeille Royale contains honey produced by black bees from the French island of Ouessant. The La Mer brand uses rare seaweeds that are hand-harvested at specific times when their activity peaks. Additionally, expensive creams may include black caviar, black truffles, DNA and RNA derivatives, peptides, and even precious stones.

Conclusion
In summary, expensive face creams can offer higher quality, unique ingredients, and more effective formulations compared to budget counterparts. However, the decision to purchase should be based on individual needs and preferences rather than just price.