Consider this your guide, according to skin specialists, on the products you can save on — and where you might want to splurge — plus, whether the price tag actually indicates results at all.

Cleanser

Myth busted: an expensive cleanser doesn’t guarantee a better cleanser.

After all, once you’ve applied it to your face, it’s literally going down the drain. But that doesn’t mean any cleanser will do. Using the wrong type of cleanser can end up causing more problems in itself, flaring up blemishes or making skin too oily, dry or greasy.

“If you have no acne or sensitivity then you can save on the cleanser. All you need to do is remove makeup and clear the surface ready for the active products,” says Dr Michael Freeman, principal dermatologist at The Skin Clinic.

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“However if oil is a problem such as with acne, then a more expensive AHA / BHA cleanser will be worth the money.” asap Daily Facial Cleanser, available at Adore Beauty, is a great AHA option, with added benefits beyond removing your makeup.

Verdict: Save

Moisturiser

Even the most basic of skincare regimens should include a moisturiser.

“You can save on the moisturiser when your skin is not dry. Some of the newer moisturisers have ceramides [fat molecules that help keep skin hydrated], which are worth buying if your skin is very dry. Otherwise Sorbolene can suffice,” says Dr Freeman.

The key to finding the best moisturiser for your skin type is to focus on ingredients and formula.

If you have oily, combination or blemished skin, opt for lighter-weight lotions, gels or liquids. Dry skin is best off with creamier textures.

A bonus is opting for moisturising SPF-packed formulas.

“The best sunscreens work double-duty: they protect from the harmful UV rays which lead to sun damage, blotches and wrinkles, while soothing and hydrating,” says Priceline Makeup Director, Sarah Laidlaw.

Her pick is the Natio Daily Defence Face Moisturiser SPF 50+.

Verdict: Save.

Toner

Since cleanser formulas have improved, toners have generally become less necessary.

“My advice would be to skip the toner for a double cleanse instead,” says Sydney-based skin expert, Melanie Grant, who counts Victoria Beckham, Cate Blanchett and Lara Worthington among her clients.

Verdict: Skip

Serum

Grant believes serums are worth spending on — if you can.

“They are concentrated doses of active ingredients that you can use to customise your regimen,” she says.

Applied after cleanser and before moisturiser onto clean skin, consider it the real workhorse of all your skincare products.

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“Serums correct and change the condition of your skin by penetrating deeper to deliver the ingredient where it’s needed most,” says Grant.

If there is a product to spend a bit more on, it’s a serum.

An iconic and genuine favourite among beauty editors is Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, first launched in 1982.

“If I can afford it, that’s the product I’ll spend the most on because without fail, I see the results,” says Founder of The Festive Co and former Beauty Director of Cosmopolitan, Alexis Teasdale.

“Plus, you only have to use a few drops of serum so it’s great bang for buck.”

Verdict: Splurge.

Not sure how to piece together your skincare regimen?

“Using a cleanser, serum and moisturiser of the same brand range is a good idea as the active ingredients in each of these products are usually formulated to complement others in the range,” advises Dr Leona Yip, consulting dermatologist at Gabba Dermatology.

Good news for those with sensitive skin, too.

“Cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean irritating or harsh. There are many expensive products that can cause sensitivity and reactions,” explains Grant.

Instead, avoid products with fragrance, high levels of active ingredients and high alcohol content. Keeping it simple and avoiding layering too many products can also prevent increased sensitivity or negative product interaction.

So how much should price dictate your purchase?

When you’re working with a budget? As much as needed, obviously. But as previously expensive ingredients become more accessible, it’s less about price and more about formula.

The Ordinary is one brand that’s gained cult status in just a few years because of this very belief, with ingredient-focussed formulas starting from $9.

“We really want people to become educated within the beauty space, to know exactly what they are putting on their skin and to understand if they are overpaying for ingredients,” says CEO and co-founder of parent brand DECIEM Nicole Kilner.

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The brand is able to offer formulas traditionally restricted to higher price points by using already well-researched and proven ingredients, and stripping back on costs typically associated with launching a product that push the price tag up; like advertising, celebrity endorsements and over-complicated packaging.

“Really we have just been honest with our pricing; the ingredients we use are incredibly effective but they’re not expensive for us to buy,” says Kilner.

Ultimately it comes down to personal preference and budget. There is a unique joy in using a fancy product just as there is a thrill in finding a $10 product that works for you.

Just avoid getting caught in beauty’s biggest myth that expensive is always better. Especially at a time when every cent counts.