Creme Le Mer tastes on a Neutrogena budget? I feel ya. Spending a small fortune on a handful of luxury skin care products is fabulous if you can manage it; but for the rest of us, the drugstore health and beauty section will have to do. Lucky, there are a number of drugstore dupes that might not have the luxurious reputation, they can do the same job of their high-priced counterparts.
Opulent: La Mer The Eye Balm Intense, $145
Economical: ShiKai Borage Dry Skin Therapy 24-Hour Repair Cream, $15.99
We can’t all be Cher, spreading Le Mer on our toast while bathing in a solid gold bathtub. But the rest of can get by just fine snacking on caviar from Ikea and spreading Borage on our eyes in a regular porcelain tub.
Opulent: Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 55 PA+++, $35
Economical: Neutrogena Pure & Free Liquid Daily Sunblock SPF 50, $11.99
Sunscreen is a necessity, so finding a great product that measures up to pricey department store brands is basically heroic.
Opulent: Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Acne Clearing, $65
Economical: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Anti-Blemish Scrub, $7.99
ExfoliKate and the Neutrogena dupe share several of the same active ingredients and considering the price difference, the choice for skin care aficionados on a budget is clearer than your skin after you exfoliate.
Opulent: GLAMGLOW Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment, $69
Economical: L’Oreal Paris Exfoliate & Refine Pores Pure Clay Mask, $9.99
Are you even having a bathroom spa night if you’re not smothered in a clay mask down to your neck? Both clay masks promise refined pores and balanced exfoliation, but only one is two aisles away from that other spa night necessity, wine.