Take a look at some of the different skincare products out there and you’ll see a huge variation in price. While some cost just a few dollars, others have price tags that soar into the thousands. The big question is…are expensive skincare products better than their cheaper counterparts? Are they really worth shelling out for? Join Venofye as we investigate!
Research and Development
Let’s start by taking a look at the very first stages of creating a new skincare product; research and development. As you can probably imagine, this stage doesn’t come cheap. Not only do some brands develop their own proprietary ingredients but they then also need to test their chosen ingredients in various formulations. All of this requires lab time, staffing, special equipment, and more, causing costs to mount very quickly.
Testing methods need to be taken into account too. Animal testing is highly controversial, yet many companies still rely on it because it’s less expensive. Other testing methods cost more, which ends up being reflected in the price of that product. However, those other testing methods also tend to be more accurate when it comes to safety on human skin, making them worth paying for.
Of course, there is already plenty of knowledge out there when it comes to what does and doesn’t work. Those cheaper products that you see usually hinge on this. They make use of tried-and-tested ingredients that don’t require much more research, which saves them the big bucks.
Brands that are trying to be innovative and push the boundaries of the industry, however, end up putting a lot of money into R&D. This is why higher-end products are often more unique and cutting-edge, whereas cheaper products often share very similar ingredient lists.
At Venofye, R&D has always been a big focus. Our signature ingredient is bee venom – an ingredient that’s not commonly used in skincare products. We always strive to find new and exciting ways to harness the full spectrum of benefits this ingredient provides, meaning that, for us, the R&D stage is pretty much ongoing!
Ingredient Sourcing and Quality
Once a brand has chosen which ingredients they want to use, those ingredients then need to be sourced in larger amounts. How a company goes about doing so will often be indicated in the price of its skincare products.
Sustainability, for example, usually costs more. While some brands try to obtain their ingredients as cheaply as possible, no matter the environmental costs, others pay extra for the knowledge that their ingredients were grown and harvested in a way that doesn’t have a detrimental impact on the environment. Again, this is something that consumers are often happy to pay more for, especially in this day and age.
Ingredient quality will also significantly impact the price of a product. Just because two products contain the same ingredient doesn’t mean that the quality of those ingredients is the same. Let’s use botanical extracts as an example, which are very popular skincare ingredients. You’ll find plenty in Venofye skincare products – the Beehive HydraLift Mask contains ten different plant extracts!
However, there are so many factors that can affect the quality of botanical extracts, including:
- Which part of the world the ingredient was grown in. Both climate and soil are hugely influential in plant quality and nutrient composition.
- Extraction methods. Whether an ingredient is cold-pressed, distilled, or solvent-extracted will determine which natural compounds it’s able to retain.
- Carrier oils. Some boost absorption more than others.
At Venofye, we only use the highest-quality ingredients in our products, which is why they might cost more than some of the other brands out there. However, when it comes to your skin, quality is something that we’ll never skimp on!
Concentration and Potency
While some of the less expensive skincare products out there may seem to contain a similar line-up of ingredients to some of the pricier formulas, it’s important to take note of the concentration of those ingredients that have been used. After all, even though two products may contain the same active ingredient, with one costing much more than the other, the fact that the more expensive product features the ingredient in a much higher concentration could help to justify its price. It means that the product will likely be more potent and effective, which is often worth paying more for.
What makes things a little tricky is that most skincare brands don’t disclose the concentration of each of the ingredients used in their skincare products. However, there’s still a way to gain a bit more understanding about this…
Legally, an ingredient list needs to display ingredients in order of concentration. This means that the ingredient that the product contains in the highest amount will be at the top of the list, whereas the ingredient that has been used in the smallest amount can be found at the bottom. Ideally, you want to see a product’s main ingredients within the first five to ten names.
Take the Venofye Blossom Bee Vitamin C Serum as an example. You’ll see two different forms of vitamin C near the top of the ingredient list, along with bee venom and vitamin A. This in itself tells you that the serum is going to be a potent source of antioxidants, making it worth spending on if antioxidant power is what your skin needs.
Formulation Techniques
When it comes to formulating skincare products, brands can choose to go one of two ways. They either license a base formula from a manufacturer, adding their own tweaks to make the product their own, or they start from scratch. It goes without saying that the latter results in products that are more unique, but it also means that they’re usually more expensive.
Brands that produce skincare products with advanced delivery mechanisms also usually experience higher costs. The Venofye Royal Jelly Eye BeeLift, for instance, features state-of-the-art formulation techniques, which is how the product is able to provide such impressive instant results. Dab some of this solution under your eyes and it will immediately make any puffy bags look less noticeable while giving your skin a smoother and firmer finish.
Just like the research and development stage of creating a product, many brands choose to put a large chunk of their budget into formulations, hence the associated higher price.
Texture and Feel
Have you ever wondered why some skincare products feel nicer than others? There’s a reason for this…
Skincare brands usually have to add extra ingredients to their formulations to ensure that a product has an appealing texture. More often than not, people will gravitate toward silky and smooth textures, as opposed to gooey and sticky formulas, but this can sometimes end up costing more.
Is texture really worth paying extra for? In many cases, yes. Skincare is an effective self-care practice. Not only does it benefit your skin but it can be soothing for your mind and mental state too. The more luxurious a product feels when applied to your skin, the more enjoyable your overall experience will be.
Of course, a pleasant texture also encourages people to be more consistent with their skincare efforts. You’re much more likely to stick to your skincare routine if it consists of products that feel good, rather than uncomfortable, on your skin.
Packaging
There’s no denying that some brands are known for putting low-quality products into high-end packaging and charging a fortune for it. In these cases, packaging can be deceptive. Yes, a high-quality box will cost more than a low-quality alternative, but the difference between the two is negligible in the big scheme of things.
So, while you shouldn’t judge a skincare product by its box, the packaging that the actual product sits in is sometimes worth paying more for. Don’t forget that many skincare ingredients need to be stored in a certain way in order to maintain their potency. Antioxidants, for example, shouldn’t be exposed to light or air. This is why Venofye’s antioxidant serums, such as the Royal Jelly Bee Luminescent Eye Serum, are all contained in opaque containers with pump dispensers. This keeps the serum within safe from deterioration, helping to prolong the shelf life of that product.
Of course, once again, sustainability comes into play in terms of the cost of packaging. Some brands choose to use eco-friendly packaging materials for their skincare products, and this often costs a little more. At Venofye, all of our packaging is recyclable, so you won’t need to worry about your beauty purchases adding to landfill waste!
Marketing
Last but not least, let’s talk about marketing. It goes without saying that many skincare brands really splash out in this area. Those prime-time TV adverts cost a pretty penny! And yes, these marketing costs are likely reflected in the price tags of their products. This doesn’t mean that those products are better – it just means that those brands have a large marketing budget and, most likely, a flashy marketing team!
The good news is that it’s now much easier for a skincare brand to market itself without having to part with too much cash. Between blogs, social media, and more, many brands are choosing to save on marketing by going for a direct-to-consumer approach. If you’ve been pondering whether or not to purchase an expensive skincare product, checking out that brand’s marketing efforts could tell you a lot about where your money is going.
So, Are Expensive Skincare Products Really Worth It?
While not all expensive skincare products are worth splurging on, some most definitely are. Not only will you be getting a unique, well-researched, and well-tested formula but you’ll also likely be treating your skin to high-quality ingredients. There’s no denying that there are some very effective low-cost skincare products out there, but there’s also no avoiding the fact that, sometimes, expensive products really do work better, simply because they contain better ingredients, stronger concentrations, and clever formulations. In the end, it all comes down to each individual product, so do your research before making any purchases!
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