-
Usually, a discount brand of a product differs very little in the basic component makeup. There are different grades and qualities of additives. For instance, a brand-name facial moisturizer may use rose water as an ingredient, along with the store brand. However, the quality of the rose water might not be as high in the generic version.
However, store brands seek to create a comparable product to sell, so they'll usually skimp on other areas. Labels and bottles may not be as fancy; boxes won't be foil-embossed, if there is a box at all. Store brands save on marketing, since they're not passing the cost of a multi-million dollar ad campaign on to the consumer. - You may find that the products in the drugstore vary from the ones at the department store counter as far as range and type. The less expensive products cater to a wider audience, and aim to satisfy many more consumers with a small line. Department store clientele, on the other hand, will find a line and usually stick with it for a long time. Consumers will eventually graduate to other products in the range, perhaps to receive incentive discounts and promotional products. In other words, the drugstore customer will buy an Olay moisturizer, Biore cleanser and Lumene toner. The department store customer will buy Kiehl's cleanser, toner and moisturizer, and receive the eye cream for free as a gift.
-
One area where shoppers can really save is the cleanser. Cleansers are usually categorized into dry to normal skin, normal and normal to oily. The actual cleansing ingredients are pretty constant from line to line, so there's little lost by favoring the least expensive of the options. What you can look for is added ingredients--alpha hydroxy and salicylic acids to resurface skin, preventing breakouts, or exfoliating granules that cleanse away old skin cells.
An example of this is the high-end drugstore line, Lumene. Although they market a combination skin cleanser for $9.99 per bottle, great results are possible with the Olay Age Defying Cleanser for $5.99 a bottle. The Olay cleanser contains the above ingredients, contains more product and costs much less. There's no loss in quality.
Even though there are great inexpensive options, the one common element for each is that they not contain soap. Catalogs.com skin care expert Jean Sanders says, "Avoid soap at all costs." -
As nice as it is to get a steal of a deal, it's necessary to watch where the money is going. Products on clearance or markdown are there for a reason. Sometimes, the company is simply revamping the line and making room for even better merchandise. Most of the time, this isn't the case. Either the product didn't sell, or has been sitting on the shelf for so long that its no longer fresh. Worse yet, it may be on the discontinued list.
Take a look at the product packaging. Is it beaten up or worn? Have safety seals been compromised in any way? If possible, open the product and smell it. If a cream or product contains oil, there may be a musty scent or stale quality to the fragrance if things are past their prime. Also, ask a nearby sales clerk why the product is on sale. They may have heard some tidbit or seen multiple customer returns that drove the store to discontinue carrying the item. -
As tempting as it might be to avoid the extra work, it's worthwhile to check out cheaper skin care lines to see what they have to offer. Toner and makeup remover can be penny-pincher finds. A good moisturizer, however, will usually be the most expensive item on the list. Save money by checking out ads for weekly specials, and stock up when you see something go on sale.
Discount products are great for those who take the time to scrutinize their purchase. Shoppers that study ingredients and check what works best soon learn exactly what ingredients they need, and what's just window dressing.
