Honestly, I don't know who would ever pay for this, but I'd be curious to see a placebo study on expensive at-home treatments. Could the skin, like the rest of the body, respond if you simply *thought* you were doing something really impactful? I hesitate to equate tiny lines with illness, but the power of belief continues to dupe me into spending too much on serum.
I also FINALLY got myself a dermatologist and had my first Clear and Brilliant. I 100% agree that the results are immediate and appreciable and definitely more impactful than bleeding out moolah on Vitamin C. IMHOtho.
Thx Val! Think of all the wonderful experiences to be had with that cash. For sensitive skin my - non cosmetic derm - likes the the ordinary granactive retinol emulsion ($10) and cereve and baby mineral sunscreen. And a good sleep is free.
My core skin-care regimen resembles yours, Val, but I do still work in the occasional new (gifted) serum or cream, hoping beyond hope for a little magic, despite knowing all that I know.
I think what makes it tricky to address the question of whether or not X product "works" is the nebulous (and subjective?) meaning of the word "works" in the context of skin care and even in-office treatments. Whether or not something works (or seems to) for an individual depends somewhat on their expectations and perceptions. I have high expectations and am not very perceptive—small changes (and sometimes medium ones) tend to escape me—so I'm usually left disappointed. Someone who expects less—a subtle glow versus an obvious fading of spots and splotches—and is more attuned to minor improvements may determine that the very product I deemed ineffective actually "works" really well.
And what if the work a product claims to do is invisible? Like with all of these $$$ antioxidant serums? How do consumers gauge the efficacy of a liquid designed to squash an invisible threat? With sunscreen, there is at least the lack of burn/tan as proof of work.
Of course, as you and Estee astutely note, one's baseline also influences results. A quiet boost on a 20something face registers differently than that same degree of change on my 45yo face. Which may explain why my Sofwave outcome, like yours, was less rave-worthy than those enjoyed by the many millennial editors who reported on the treatment. ("The less they have to do, the better they work," indeed.) Sofwave and similar devices no doubt "work"—studies confirm it—but not always in a meaningful, visible way. xx
I've been using the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair product since I heard you speak about it on the EIF podcast. I have to say it works as well, if not better, than ALL the other more expensive products I've tried so thank you! (also, this particular Neutrogena product has almost no smell which is an enormous plus for me)
As for the skin care, you've seen my skin. It's not dewy and plump, but it's not gross, either. Isn't that enough at my age? Can I share my tricks? I never smoked a cigarette. I quit letting the sun hit my face directly about 20 years ago, and I try to sleep enough to let me cells rejuvenate. I would love to inject more crap in my face, but haven't the time or moolah, and Dove soap works just fine.
Sep 27, 2022·edited Sep 27, 2022Liked by Valerie Monroe
What you consistently say about skin care products, and all the othe3r products that come ooff the assembly line, is that they're generally overpriced and overmarketed. You remind me of my dayhs writing about wines and liquors for Smart Money, which entrailed gathering up a group of people to test their quality. It was, in a way, fascinating. But also predictable. We did champagnes once. I bought a whole range of them, including a hundred dollar bottle of Krug, and one or two approaching the prosecco range, and we collectively found that the best was Iron Horse, out of California, at about $20. With the liquors, however, price depended almost entirely on packaging--i.e., marketing. One tequila, I remember, was over $60 a bottle. Why? because the bottle was the most elaborate piece of junk you can imagine, with internal sculptures glued in somehow, while the taste was mediocre. So with some of the bourbons, out of the South, all advertised as single barrel, watch out.. Only the wines came in their standard shapes of bottles wines always come in, so that you know right away that you're getting one of the reds, say, and whether it's a bordeaux or the other red [forgot the name] , and must then know the label, while with the tequilas, not so. You know nothing. With women's make-up, you know there are no miracles, and not much real difference. Go get 'em, Val.
Wow, I'm not the only one who uses water to wash my face? Yes! My niece actually was the one who told me she uses water and a washcloth to clean her face, and behold, it works.
Oct 8, 2022·edited Oct 8, 2022Liked by Valerie Monroe
I have the same skincare routine. I would never pay for a high-priced cream, unless Retin-A or derm treatment (and I've never had a dermatologist treatment unfortunately). Differin might be inexpensive compared to going to the dermatologist for Retin-A , or some celebrity-endorsed beauty cream, yet Differin's prices have also increased quite dramatically. I remember when Differin came on the market and the cost was around 8 dollars for the big tube. Retin-A, or tretinoin, used to be fairly inexpensive once upon a time as well. Differin, CeraVe and other drugstore brands have gained popularity through YouTube, TicToc, and Instagram. Demand has increased and companies are charging more. What Differin has done with pricing is equivalent to gouging in my opinion. The cost for some of these simple drugstore products are becoming less affordable. I visited Spain this September and tretinoin .05% over the counter is 19.98 euro. The fact that we can't buy low dose tretinoin OTC in the US is also a crime in my humble opinion, although when and if it becomes available it will likely be ridiculously expensive. Apologies, this has been my price complaint rant of the day! Thank you for what you do Valerie -- I love your philosophy and recommendations.
Love this !! It’s so refreshing to hear from the expert on all skin care that all we need is retin a and moisturizer and sunscreen. I trust you more than the dermatologists who push products. Also I switched to tretonin microsphere a few years ago and it’s so much better absorbed and not drying. I use .1% every night so that’s how non irritating it is for me.
So much honesty. You could save a couple of generations thousands of dollars if they would but listen!
a. I have an Rx retinol that I swear by and it is not very pricy. (I’ll find out how much.)
b. I want to try that powder sunscreen and need to find a local retailer to get the color right—it’s been on my to do list since the pre-Covid days. Thanks for the reminder.
c. Can we talk about the effect of staying hydrated on the skin? How’s that work?
I love this: "But doesn't ABCDExpensive serum help with OPQRSkin issue?" And I want to answer, "IMHONo." 😂
Honestly, I don't know who would ever pay for this, but I'd be curious to see a placebo study on expensive at-home treatments. Could the skin, like the rest of the body, respond if you simply *thought* you were doing something really impactful? I hesitate to equate tiny lines with illness, but the power of belief continues to dupe me into spending too much on serum.
I also FINALLY got myself a dermatologist and had my first Clear and Brilliant. I 100% agree that the results are immediate and appreciable and definitely more impactful than bleeding out moolah on Vitamin C. IMHOtho.
Okay, don't get mad at me (because I think, obvs, the answer is no) but...what about masks? Do you ever? A mud mask, perhaps? Asking for a friend ;)
Thx Val! Think of all the wonderful experiences to be had with that cash. For sensitive skin my - non cosmetic derm - likes the the ordinary granactive retinol emulsion ($10) and cereve and baby mineral sunscreen. And a good sleep is free.
My core skin-care regimen resembles yours, Val, but I do still work in the occasional new (gifted) serum or cream, hoping beyond hope for a little magic, despite knowing all that I know.
I think what makes it tricky to address the question of whether or not X product "works" is the nebulous (and subjective?) meaning of the word "works" in the context of skin care and even in-office treatments. Whether or not something works (or seems to) for an individual depends somewhat on their expectations and perceptions. I have high expectations and am not very perceptive—small changes (and sometimes medium ones) tend to escape me—so I'm usually left disappointed. Someone who expects less—a subtle glow versus an obvious fading of spots and splotches—and is more attuned to minor improvements may determine that the very product I deemed ineffective actually "works" really well.
And what if the work a product claims to do is invisible? Like with all of these $$$ antioxidant serums? How do consumers gauge the efficacy of a liquid designed to squash an invisible threat? With sunscreen, there is at least the lack of burn/tan as proof of work.
Of course, as you and Estee astutely note, one's baseline also influences results. A quiet boost on a 20something face registers differently than that same degree of change on my 45yo face. Which may explain why my Sofwave outcome, like yours, was less rave-worthy than those enjoyed by the many millennial editors who reported on the treatment. ("The less they have to do, the better they work," indeed.) Sofwave and similar devices no doubt "work"—studies confirm it—but not always in a meaningful, visible way. xx
Great article Val… good info to know
I've been using the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair product since I heard you speak about it on the EIF podcast. I have to say it works as well, if not better, than ALL the other more expensive products I've tried so thank you! (also, this particular Neutrogena product has almost no smell which is an enormous plus for me)
Wait, are you serious about the doves...? :/
As for the skin care, you've seen my skin. It's not dewy and plump, but it's not gross, either. Isn't that enough at my age? Can I share my tricks? I never smoked a cigarette. I quit letting the sun hit my face directly about 20 years ago, and I try to sleep enough to let me cells rejuvenate. I would love to inject more crap in my face, but haven't the time or moolah, and Dove soap works just fine.
Hello, dear Val. Great writing, as always. One question: The inexpensive drugstore retinoid is an acne lotion?
Finally . . .
We get your secret, Val, to your looking like a heroine out of Virginia Woolf.
What you consistently say about skin care products, and all the othe3r products that come ooff the assembly line, is that they're generally overpriced and overmarketed. You remind me of my dayhs writing about wines and liquors for Smart Money, which entrailed gathering up a group of people to test their quality. It was, in a way, fascinating. But also predictable. We did champagnes once. I bought a whole range of them, including a hundred dollar bottle of Krug, and one or two approaching the prosecco range, and we collectively found that the best was Iron Horse, out of California, at about $20. With the liquors, however, price depended almost entirely on packaging--i.e., marketing. One tequila, I remember, was over $60 a bottle. Why? because the bottle was the most elaborate piece of junk you can imagine, with internal sculptures glued in somehow, while the taste was mediocre. So with some of the bourbons, out of the South, all advertised as single barrel, watch out.. Only the wines came in their standard shapes of bottles wines always come in, so that you know right away that you're getting one of the reds, say, and whether it's a bordeaux or the other red [forgot the name] , and must then know the label, while with the tequilas, not so. You know nothing. With women's make-up, you know there are no miracles, and not much real difference. Go get 'em, Val.
Wow, I'm not the only one who uses water to wash my face? Yes! My niece actually was the one who told me she uses water and a washcloth to clean her face, and behold, it works.
I have the same skincare routine. I would never pay for a high-priced cream, unless Retin-A or derm treatment (and I've never had a dermatologist treatment unfortunately). Differin might be inexpensive compared to going to the dermatologist for Retin-A , or some celebrity-endorsed beauty cream, yet Differin's prices have also increased quite dramatically. I remember when Differin came on the market and the cost was around 8 dollars for the big tube. Retin-A, or tretinoin, used to be fairly inexpensive once upon a time as well. Differin, CeraVe and other drugstore brands have gained popularity through YouTube, TicToc, and Instagram. Demand has increased and companies are charging more. What Differin has done with pricing is equivalent to gouging in my opinion. The cost for some of these simple drugstore products are becoming less affordable. I visited Spain this September and tretinoin .05% over the counter is 19.98 euro. The fact that we can't buy low dose tretinoin OTC in the US is also a crime in my humble opinion, although when and if it becomes available it will likely be ridiculously expensive. Apologies, this has been my price complaint rant of the day! Thank you for what you do Valerie -- I love your philosophy and recommendations.
I love simple and this is simple in the most helpful way. Thank you!
Love this !! It’s so refreshing to hear from the expert on all skin care that all we need is retin a and moisturizer and sunscreen. I trust you more than the dermatologists who push products. Also I switched to tretonin microsphere a few years ago and it’s so much better absorbed and not drying. I use .1% every night so that’s how non irritating it is for me.
So much honesty. You could save a couple of generations thousands of dollars if they would but listen!
a. I have an Rx retinol that I swear by and it is not very pricy. (I’ll find out how much.)
b. I want to try that powder sunscreen and need to find a local retailer to get the color right—it’s been on my to do list since the pre-Covid days. Thanks for the reminder.
c. Can we talk about the effect of staying hydrated on the skin? How’s that work?