Like how Goldilocks was not contented with trying one porridge or one bed, women are never contented with one type of face cream and are always on the lookout for better face ones. Skincare has reached a scientific status, packed with breakthrough researches, exotic ingredients, multi rejuvenating properties and last but not least, a notorious price tag.
“The expensive ones are effective but not necessarily better than, say, a $5 cream. A $5 cream could be manufactured at a reputable and responsible company, one that emphasise on research and clinical testing, and be effective too. The obvious differences between costly creams and cheap ones are in packaging and cosmetic elegance of the product in terms of texture, consistency, smell and colour,” explains a dermatologist, who declined to be named.
Nevertheless, the number of women buying luxury skincare ranges is rising. Celia Chen, Group Brand Marketing Executive at Shiseido Singapore said, “If the type of technology and exclusive ingredients used for the face cream can help resolve skin problems in the long run, most women will see the product as value-for-money. What’s more, aesthetic surgery is becoming so prevalent these days that price is no longer the main factor for women when buying any skincare product.”
Generally, women perceive these luxe creams to be better because the products come from reputable and established companies. They are more financially independent and want to pamper themselves more.
While fans of these hefty priced anti-aging creams continues to indulge and splurge on these fountains of youth, many adamantly write them off as outrageous and even ridiculous. "We can feed a whole third world country with that kind of money. If someone really wants to take care of their skin, they should just turn to a dermatologist," Veronica Drew Lee, 35, brand manager agitatedly exclaims.
As for women who believe in these lavish seductions, Dr Ang Por, Consultant Dermatologist at Dermatology Associates from Singapore, advises, “These creams are expensive, try out some first before committing to buying a lot. Try a small amount of the tester on your face and wait till the next day to see if there’s a problem. Get a sample if possible, because sometimes the side effects surface only several days after.
“Buy one or two first, instead of the whole range. I’ve women who bought like 15 products from the same range at one shot, only to find that they develop irritation to it.”
Cream of the Crop
Here’s a look at the crème de la crème in the market.
- Guerlain Orchidee Imperiale Crème. One of the world's oldest cosmetics company, Guerlain, created Orchidee Imperiale Crème after seven years of research. An extract made from four species of orchids found to have unique biological properties that ensure optimal functionality of skin cells, while incorporating anti-ageing qualities.
- Lancôme Secret De Vie. Lancôme has developed a complex called Extrait de Vie to reactivate the six major cells in our skin, namely fibroblasts, keratinocytes, melanocytes, corneocytes, nerve endings and langerhans cells. Each cell is nourished with key ingredients present in the unique complex –working together to give your skin a total renewal workout.
- Meliority Cream by Cosme Decorte. Fortified with 30 ingredients, this velvety formula is all about regenerating and strengthening skin’s structure by cell multiplication. The night cream includes energizing booster Siberian Ginseng and soy extract to work towards healthier skin free.
- Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv Re-Creation Day Crème. It contains a sumptuous blend of marine ingredients, plant extracts, vitamins and minerals, all working together to enhance and optimise skin's natural repairing cycle.
- Cle de Peau La Crème. The researchers at Cle de Peau discover that ion channels present in our skin make up the skin’s communication system, and that the system breaks down when faced with extreme stress – resulting in dry skin. So they have created an ingredient called Soubilized Fibroin that optimises skin cell renewal rates. The anti-ageing formula also promotes collagen production, reduces fine lines, dullness and contains whitening properties.
Simone Wu - At the moment, she's stopped contributing to Suite101 and will be back if and when she turns to freelance-writing again.
