Many beauty fans swear by their favorite department store, high end cosmetics store, or online boutique products. Others have a hard time justifying spending $40 on the latest eyeshadow palette, no matter how great the colors may be, or $60 for a moisturizer that swears it will take years off your face. Yes, for many, it’s both easier and more convenient to head to the local drugstore and grab what looks good. However, cheap beauty products aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.

There’s a reason for the expression, “You get what you pay for,” and that can apply to both high end or low end items. When you skimp on the price of makeup or beauty items, you are sacrificing quality and often times, wasting money on something that doesn’t work or cause adverse effects. Minor issues can include makeup that doesn’t last throughout the day moisturizer that feels oily on your face, but serious problems like skin irritation or even physical illness can occur as well.

Any skin care product with alcohol in it should be an immediate no-no for your body. It can increase the likelihood of acne and eczema as well as irritate and dry out the skin. You’re much better off with a product that is water based so it keeps the skin hydrated and healthy. Though added fragrances may smell great, you’ll want to try to steer clear of those as well since they can lead to breakouts and irritation.

The older we get, the younger many of us want to look and that’s why anti-aging creams are on the rise. However, certain inexpensive creams have been reported to cause greasy skin, itchy skin, breakouts, and a burning sensation. Besides the fact that you won’t notice a difference in terms of fine lines and wrinkles, now you have the added problem of uncomfortable, irritated skin. Too much exposure to the sun can also lead to early appearances of aging but be careful when choosing a sunscreen. Not too long ago, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) published a list of the best and worst products for blocking the sun’s rays, siting that some contained extremely hazardous ingredients.

One might expect irritations when skimping on cheap makeup products but what if your skin handles it just fine? Can you really trust the products to last all day? Most people want to set it and forget it, moving on with their day without having to reapply their makeup throughout. What good is cheap makeup if you having to touch it up every few hours? You’re using more product while not achieving the results you’re looking for - a total waste!

When it comes to your face and body, spending the extra money for quality products that treat your skin right is more than worth it. When choosing quality beauty products, you’ll see noticeable results when it comes to things like acne, redness, or clogged pores. You’ll keep your skin hydrated, which helps it fight disease and slow the appearance of aging. The better you treat your skin, the more beautiful it will appear!