Quick Question: Does a $5 moisturizer have any benefit?

The answer is yes, according to Dr. Frederic Brandt in this month’s Real Simple magazine.  Even the most basic moisturizer hydrates, giving the skin a chance to rest.  By doing so, you help maintain collagen production over time, according to Dr. Brandt.  This keeps the skin firmer and younger for longer.

However, as Dr. Brandt is quick to point out, there are lots of other ingredients that are clinically proven to improve the skin too.  At any rate, though, don’t be fooled into thinking expensive is automatically better.  Although it is true that expensive creams often have better presentation and new ingredients (like the vitamin B5-derivative nicotinic acid in the NIA24 line), more drugstore-based skin care companies are putting extensive funds into R&D and coming up with some equally impressive ingredients (like the vitamin B5-derivative niacinamide in some Olay and Cover Girl products).  The key is to stay educated!  (For a full post on drugstore versus department store products, please click here.)