The Real Deal on Skin Care Products -- Savings Experiment

As we all know, skin products can get pretty expensive, but are all those fancy anti-aging, firming and hydrating ingredients really worth paying extra for? Let's peel back the layers and take a look.

First, never judge a lotion by it's price tag; a higher price doesn't always mean higher quality.
What really matters are the active ingredients, which can generally be found equally in both fancy and inexpensive creams. Some of the key ingredients you should look for are alpha-hydroxy acids -- like lactic, glycolic and citric acids -- and Retinol, which is also known as vitamin A. Some people are sensitive to Retinol, so if you fall into that category, look for other antioxidants such as vitamin C, tea and grape seed extracts and Coenzyme Q10.

Next, watch out for the exaggerated claims you'll often see advertised. Companies can promise a lot of things, but the truth is, the FDA doesn't require them to prove the safety or effectiveness of their products. What that really means is that phrases like "clinically tested and proven" don't have any industry standard and should be taken with a grain of salt.

Lastly, don't be fooled by trendy ingredients. Some companies will add ingredients that aren't truly effective only to make the product more attractive. Things like rose oil, lavender or even yogurt don't really do much except boost the price.

Before you start your next beauty regimen, keep these tips in mind, and you'll find some savings that are more than skin-deep.

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