Esthetician-Approved: What I'd Buy During a Skincare Sale (and What to Skip)

Skincare sales are exciting - but they can also lead to impulse buys that sit in a drawer three months later. As an esthetician, I see this all the time: people stock up on the newest, trendiest product instead of the thing their skin actually needs. So before our end-of-month sale kicks off, here's my honest, no-fluff guide to what's worth grabbing and what you can skip.

Buy It: Sunscreen - Always

This is the one product I tell every client to stock up on when it's discounted. You use it every single day, it expires, and it's the single most important anti-aging product that exists. If your sale includes SPF, buy two. You will use them.

Buy It: A Gentle, Effective Cleanser

Cleanser is another everyday essential. You're going to run out and repurchase it no matter what, so a sale is the perfect time to buy in bulk (or upgrade to something better than what you're currently using). Look for something that cleans thoroughly without stripping your skin, especially if you deal with any redness or sensitivity.

Buy It: Barrier-Repairing Moisturizers

Ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and squalane are barrier-repair staples that work well for nearly every skin type. These are safe, low-risk purchases even if you're trying a new brand for the first time, since they support skin without the higher chance of irritation you get with active ingredients.

Buy It (Carefully): Retinoids and Vitamin C

These are genuinely worth investing in, but only if you already know your skin tolerates them well, or if you're starting slow with a lower concentration. A sale is a great time to buy retinol or vitamin C if it's already part of your routine and working for you. If you're brand new to actives, this isn't the moment to buy the strongest formula on the shelf just because it's discounted.

Skip It: Anything with a Trendy Ingredient You've Never Used Before

Sales bring out the impulse buyer in everyone, and TikTok-famous ingredients are the easiest trap to fall into. If you've never used a product with a specific active before, a big sale isn't the time to test it for the first time in bulk. Buy a single bottle, patch test, and see how your skin responds before committing to a stockpile.

Skip It: Multiple Exfoliants at Once

One chemical exfoliant (AHA or BHA) is usually enough for most routines. Buying two or three different exfoliating products during a sale, even at a great price, often leads to over-exfoliation, which shows up as redness, sensitivity, and a compromised skin barrier. If you already have one in rotation, you probably don't need another.

My Bottom Line

The best sales strategy isn't "buy the most" it's "buy the things you already know you'll use, and be selective about what you're trying for the first time." Sunscreen, cleanser, and barrier-support products are near-zero-risk purchases. Actives and trendy ingredients deserve a little more thought.

If you're not sure what fits your skin best, that's exactly what we're here for, current clients, you have my number! Pleas feel free to reach out and see if you need a switch up.