By Katharine B. Coggeshall
And now for the bad news; although these skincare lines are pricey and tout unblemished reputations, some of their products are simply not worth the investment. Either the product doesn't live up to its claims, causes unwanted side effects, or is only as effective as the products found at the grocery store (which cost about a quarter of the price). These are the five priciest products not worth their price.
Let's start with Dermalogica's Clearing Mattifier. Costing $49 for 1.3 oz, this thick mattifying gel doesn't live up to its claim to clear your skin. It coats your skin with a thick layer reminiscent of Vaseline, in that it doesn't allow your skin to breathe. Even with diligent use, it won't clear your blemishes. This product is not worth your money.
Second is SkinMedica's Ultra Sheer Moisturizer. At $58 for 2 fl oz, this moisturizer is not worth a dime. Thin, watery, and slippery, this cream is not really a cream at all. Although it is sheer, as was intended, it does not moisturize the skin. This product is one that does not live up to its claims.
Third on the list is Dermalogica's Professional Skinperfect primer SPF 30. With a nice tinting, this sunscreen and primer seems too good to be true, and it is. Although it comes out creamy, glides on smooth, and provides great coverage, it consistently clogs pores. Even a single use can lead to a breakout. This is certainly an unwanted side effect from a very pricey product.
One more Dermalogica product that isn't worth the price is their Total Eye Care SPF 15. Coming in at $52 for 0.5 oz, this is a definite "do not buy." With an SPF rating as low as 15, it is unlikely to protect much of anything, especially delicate and thin eye skin. It does conceal dark circles a bit, but not enough to account for the cost. It also doesn't reverse any damage. Overall, it's not worth the price tag.
Rounding out the list for the worst products for your money is SkinMedica's HA5 Smooth and Plump Lip System. This product costs around $68--a lofty investment--and does not live up to its claims to plump your lips. A common side effect is itchy, dry lips. A tube of Chapstick from the drug store would work better.
Conclusion
With pricey skincare brands it can be tough to tell which products will be a wise investment and which will not be worth the cost. SkinMedica, Dermalogica, and Skinceuticals all have some excellent products that can greatly benefit your skin, but they also have a few that don't live up to their claims. Invest wisely!
About the Author. She is a scientific technical editor and with a strong background in biology and chemistry.