Should You Use Generic Skin Care Products?

You’ve probably seen them at your local drugstore right next to the advertised name brand. Generic skin care products are carried by almost every drug store chain these days. Although the packaging isn’t as fancy, they still claim to work the same magic as the branded version. One look at the price can be enough to convince you to drop it in your shopping cart. But, is it really worth it? Should you buy generic skin care products?

Generic skin care products become more popular in down economic times when people are looking for ways to save a few pennies. The reality is that those pennies can add up making it worthwhile to buy generics for some products. Buying generic paper towels and aluminum foil is a no-brainer; but generic skin care products require more consideration. After all, these are products that are going on your skin. On the other hand, there’s little doubt that most branded skin care products are remarkably overpriced. Someone has to pay for the fancy packaging, the glossy advertising, and the celebrity endorsement.

When considering whether to buy generic skin care products, reading the ingredient label is critical. It helps to do a side-by-side comparison of the branded product and the generic one to verify that the ingredients are similar. If the ingredients are the same, the generic skin care product may be worth a try if the savings are significant. The good news is you won’t be out much money if you don’t like the generic. If you have sensitive skin, proceed with caution when using generic skin care products. Some people experience rashes and irritation when using generic skin care products even when the ingredients in the generic appear to be the same as the name brand.

One money-saving alternative to buying generic skin care products is to make your own skin care products using simple ingredients from the kitchen. The cost savings can be enormous and you won’t be exposed to the myriad of chemicals found in most skin care products. There are a variety of recipes available online for making skin care creams using ingredients such as yogurt, mayonnaise, vinegar, and lemon juice.

Rather than buying a drugstore facial mask, use a simple honey or yogurt mask instead. Olive oil or even castor oil are effective moisturizers and preliminary studies are showing that olive oil has anti-aging properties. A slightly more expensive option is to use pomegranate seed oil to moisturize. A study recently showed that this oil stimulates repair of the outer layer of the skin by its action on keratinocytes. It probably performs better than most expensive skin care products and may prove to be an effective treatment for aging skin.

The bottom line? In most cases, generic skin care products provide similar benefits to branded skin care products if the ingredients are identical, although they may not be a good option for those with sensitive skin or a history of skin allergies. If cost is an issue, a better option may be to make your own all-natural skin care products. The savings and the health benefits gained from not being exposed to chemicals can be significant.