South China Morning Post
How can you know if one product that offers the same benefits at a cheaper price point is as effective as another? When is it OK to save and when should you splurge?Dr Barbara Sturm, founder of her eponymous skincare brand, explains that, while there are hundreds of factors behind a products’ price – from marketing to packaging, development and ingredients – its efficacy is vital.
“Think of a steeping tea bag, where the first cup is the strongest. If you keep using that same tea bag, it will lose its potency with every cup,” she says. “Less expensive moisturisers have less potent ingredients that can be by-products or leftovers.”Another factor that may affect pricing is the research behind a product.
Another one on the list is vitamin C, the go-to for those wanting a brighter complexion. However, because of the ingredient’s unstable and easy-to-oxidise nature, companies have to invest in long-lasting formulas that can offer results before the end of their shelf life.