The High-Low Routine: Where to Splurge and Where to Save on Your Skincare

The Elevate Beauty Editorial Team

10/6/20262 min read

The High-Low Routine: Where to Splurge and Where to Save on Your Skincare

We’ve all been standing in the aisle of a chemist or scrolling through a beauty site, staring at a skincare product that costs more than a week of groceries, wondering: is this actually going to change my face, or am I just paying for a heavy glass jar and a luxury brand name?

The truth is, the beauty industry loves to convince us that an effective routine requires an empty bank account. It doesn't. A good skincare routine doesn't have to be expensive from start to finish. The smarter approach is to use the “High-Low” method: save your hard-earned cash on basic, functional steps, and invest more selectively in leave-on treatments where formulation, ingredients and the way a product fits your routine actually matter.

Where to Save: Your Cleanser

Let's keep it real: a cleanser's primary job is to remove dirt, oil, sunscreen and makeup without leaving your skin feeling stripped or uncomfortable. Because you rinse it away, you don't necessarily need to spend fifty quid on one.

Instead, look for a well-formulated cleanser that suits your skin and leaves it feeling clean without that tight, squeaky sensation afterwards.

A good example is the COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser. It's an accessible option with a low-pH formula designed for everyday cleansing, making it a sensible choice if you want something straightforward rather than luxurious.

If your skin is particularly sensitive or easily feels tight after washing, Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Gel is another option worth considering. It's a gentle gel cleanser designed to lift away daily buildup without leaving that uncomfortable stripped feeling.

The point? Your cleanser doesn't need to be the most expensive product on your shelf. It needs to do its job well.

Where to Splurge: Your Night-Time Actives

If you're going to put more of your skincare budget towards one category, a targeted night-time treatment is where I'd look first.

This is particularly true if you're trying to address concerns such as fine lines, uneven texture or visible signs of ageing. With leave-on treatments, the formulation, active ingredients, stability and how well the product suits your skin all become much more important than they are with a product you rinse away after a minute.

This is where something like Medik8 Crystal Retinal Serum moves into the investment category.

It uses retinyl retinoate, a vitamin A derivative, and is designed as a more advanced alternative within the retinoid category. Medik8 positions the formula around high performance while aiming for a more comfortable experience than traditional retinol routines.

It's still a premium product, though, and that's important to acknowledge. You don't need it simply because it's expensive. It makes more sense if you're specifically looking for a sophisticated vitamin A treatment and are prepared to invest in that part of your routine.