WHEN it comes to skincare, it's difficult to know whether splurging on an expensive product is really worth it.
And you start to question whether they are actually any better for your face than budget products.
Facialist Nicola Russell, who owns the Skin Geek clinic in Falkirk, has revealed what you should splash out on and what you don't need to buy.
One of the most important steps in your skincare routine is applying a serum and it is something you should definitely invest in.
Nicola told the Scottish Sun: "This is one of the most important steps in your routine and is designed to tackle your specific needs.
"There should be active ingredients in your serum that treat different skin types and concerns, whether this be dehydration, pigmentation or breakouts.
"Choose a good quality serum that YOUR skin needs and put a big chunk of your budget on this step."
Another item which is a good investment is eye cream.
This is usually the first area to show signs of ageing, so Nicola recommends splurging on the product.
She added: "I'm an eye cream snob and over the years I have tried countless eye creams from the hugely expensive ones to the cheap and cheerful.
"I always go back to the pricier end of the scale.
"It's such a delicate area and the first area to show the signs of ageing so I think a good quality eye cream is a great investment."
And beauty fans shouldn't scrimp on SPF as it is one of the best anti-ageing products to buy.
Nicola said: "When I get asked what the best anti-ageing product is, I always say SPF!
"At the end of the day any SPF is better than no SPF, so if you find one that your skin loves then that’s always the right one to use.
"Applying SPF daily can slow down ageing by 24 per cent, it's such a quick step to add into your routine which makes a big impact, so it makes sense not to scrimp on this step."
And the final product the skincare pro recommends to splurge on is retinol.
She added: "Retinol is a by-product of Vitamin A and belongs to the retinoid family.
"The reason it is in my splurge list is because it's one of the few ingredients which is proven to reduces wrinkles and not all retinol products are created equal.
"Having worked on a retinol serum for over two years, I understand what goes into creating a retinol serum with the best complimentary ingredients for this hero ingredient to get the very best results for an over the counter product."
However, Nicola reveals you can cut costs on other products.
She argues that face masks, for example, are not a necessity when it comes to your skincare routine.
Nicola said: "I've tried some very expensive face masks and some budget friendly ones and I think its down to the ingredients in them and are they what your skin needs.
"Not everyone needs to use regular face masks, this is more a luxury for me.
"But this is a product that wouldn’t be a necessity when it comes to a skincare routine."
Another product to save money on would be neck cream, as Nicola recommends just using your normal moisturisers and serums to moisturise your neck.
She added: "Using a separate neck cream isn’t top of my list for clients when recommending a skincare routine to follow.
"A good neck product should provide plenty of hydration to replace what it naturally lacks, and hard-working key ingredients to firm and tone this delicate area.
"Just carrying on down the neck with your face serums and moisturisers should make a big difference, as a lot of people stop their routine just below the jaw area."
