How to Get Ultra-Expensive Skin (Without Breaking the Bank)

It seems glass skin wasn’t enough so we’ve now entered the era of expensive looking skin. Think of ultra expensive skin as the intersection of no makeup makeup, wellness and quiet luxury. It’s skin that looks healthy and very well looked after without looking overdone. The end result is a smooth, even toned, plump and hydrated complexion with a healthy glow. Achieving ultra-expensive skin isn’t for the impatient or lazy though. Despite the name, there are no short cuts and you can’t just splurge on high-end products and hope to get this. Ultra-expensive skin requires an investment of time, effort and resources. It’s needs an holistic approach. Of course it helps if you have unlimited access to nutritionists, Dermatologists and top aestheticians but you don’t need them. In this article we’ll guide you through the steps to get ultra-expensive skin without breaking the bank.

Ultra Expensive Skin is Healthy Skin

Truly expensive looking skin has to be healthy. This is a non starter. This type of look comes from taking care of your skin both from the inside and out. To get ultra-expensive skin you have to integrate healthy habits alongside your skincare routine. Here are our top lifestyle tips to for luxurious skin:

• Hydration: Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily to maintain moisture and promote elasticity.
• Nutrient-Rich Diet: Focus on foods rich in antioxidants. Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A, C, and E support skin repair and protect against environmental damage. Try to avoid ultra processed foods and excess sugars which can increase inflammation and cause skin damage. Increase protein intake as this will also help your skin create more collagen.
• Microbiome support: There’s a strong link between a healthy gut microbiome and skin health. Incorporate microbiome-boosting foods like Kimchi, Yoghurt, Sauerkraut, Kombucha and soluble fibre.
• Exercise: Regular physical activity boosts blood circulation. This delivers essential nutrients to the skin.
• Sleep: Aim to get 7-9 hours of restorative sleep each night to allow your skin to regenerate and repair.
• Stress Management: This can can lead to inflammation and breakouts. Practice mindfulness techniques like yoga or meditation to reduce stress.
• Fasting: Intermittent fasting can improve skin’s hydration, texture, manage certain skin conditions and even have some anti-ageing benefits.

Treat Underlying Skin Conditions

Ultra-expensive skin is not possible without addressing both skin-specific and systemic health issues that can impact your complexion. These conditions, if untreated, can prevent even the most luxurious products from reaching their full potential. Skin concerns like acne, skin ageing, rosacea, melasma or hyperpigmentation need accurate diagnosis and treatment. This may be through prescription medications (e.g. Tretinoin, Roaccutane, antibiotics or Hydroquinone) or professional treatments like peels, laser or injectable therapies.

Systemic health problems such as hormonal imbalance, diabetes, thyroid disorders or gut health issues can also affect the skin. They can manifest as dullness, breakouts, hyperpigmentation or inflammation. Obviously you should treat and ensure optimal management of these conditions to ensure your health is at its best. It is also vital if you want radiant expensive looking skin.

Personalise Your Skincare Routine

You don’t need to buy lots of expensive skin products to get ultra expensive skin. You do however need to have a consistent skincare routine that is personalised to your skin type and concerns. Whilst the type of products and ingredients will vary from person to person your routine should treat specific concerns, protect against skin ageing and environmental damage as well as boost it’s health. This will require a routine that at least has a cleanser, exfoliant, antioxidant, retinoid (or a specific treatment), moisturiser and sunscreen which you should layer thoughtfully. Below are some of the key ingredients to consider:

• Cleansers: Choose a gentle cleanser that suits your skin type. For dry or sensitive skin, look for hydrating balm or cream products with ingredients like glycerin and ceramides, which preserve the skin barrier. Oily or acne-prone skin may benefit from gentle foam, lotion or gel cleansers with low concentrations of salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to combat excess oil and breakouts without stripping moisture.
• Exfoliants: This is key for glowing skin, but it’s important to use gentle acid or enzyme exfoliants and only do this 2-3 times a week maximum. Opt for AHAs like lactic acid or glycolic acid to remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover, ideal for dry or aging skin. BHAs like salicylic acid penetrate deeper into the pores, making them perfect for oily or acne-prone skin. Sensitive skin might fare better with PHAs.
• Antioxidants:These protect the skin from free radical damage and environmental stressors. It is best to sue tehse as a morning serum. Most people will do well with vitamin C which brightens and repairs the skin. Vitamin E and ferulic acid are also excellent, particularly for dry or sensitive skin. Resveratrol, glutathione and niacinamide offer additional anti-inflammatory and protective benefits for a wide range of skin types.
• Treatments: Over the counter or prescription active ingredients can target specific skin concerns to ensure your skin is clear, smooth and even toned. Retinoids (such as retinol or tretinoin) and azelaic acid can help with texture, scars, skin ageing, acne and hyperpigmentation. Ingredients like arbutin, hydroquinone, kojic acid and tranexamic acid can also help lighten stubborn dark spots and patches. For acne breakouts, also consider products containing Benzoyl peroxide or hypochlorous acid.
• Moisturisers: Ultra-expensive skin is well hydrated and plump at all times. It demands moisturisers. Hyaluronic acid and polyglutamic acid work on pretty much all skin types. They help with hydration and plumping the skin. For dry or mature skin, opt for rich, occlusive creams containing shea butter, squalane or ceramides. These lock in moisture and strengthen the skin barrier. For oily or combination skin, a lightweight, water-based moisturiser with glycerin or aloe vera offers hydration without clogging pores.
• Sunscreen: High-end skin can not look sun damaged. You need a sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. In general, chemical sunscreens like avobenzone and octocrylene provide a more beautiful natural coverage without a white caste appearance. However, if you have sensitive skin you may need to look for physical sunscreen formulations with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for sensitive skin. Some luxury sunscreens also incorporate antioxidants or hydrating ingredients which can further boost the protective effects and appearance of your skin.

Choose Professional Treatments Thoughtfully

Although you can get by without professional treatments (especially if you don’t have major skin concerns), the right ones can elevate your skin. However, the wrong treatments can do much more harm than good so always proceed with caution and seek professional help. If you’re able to add in professional treatments, make sure that you are able to bring these in regularly and consistently otherwise you’re wasting your time and money. Here are some of the best skin treatments for ultra expensive skin:

• Chemical Peels: These exfoliate the outer skin layers and can help to smooth and brighten skin. Normally a course of 3-5 treatments 4-6 weeks apart are required followed by regular maintenance sessions depending on the type of peel.
• Laser Resurfacing: Depending on the type these can address concerns like wrinkles, pigmentation and texture. Like peels usually a course of at least 3-5 treatments 4-6 weeks apart are need followed by regular maintenance.
• Advanced clinical facials: These include bespoke medical facials and hydrafacial treatments which usually involve a mild chemical peel. They’re normally best done once every 4-6 weeks.
• Microneedling: Both traditional and RF microneedling stimulate collagen production to improve firmness and elasticity. They can also help with skin texture and acne scars. A course of several treatments is generally needed (at least 3-5 but usually more) which should be spaced 4-6 weeks apart and then a maintenance every few months.
• Skin Boosters: Hyaluronic acid-based treatments, like Profhilo, Volite and polynucleotides can hydrate the skin from within for a youthful glow. They also help boost collagen production to make the skin plumper and firmer. Usually 1-3 treatmenst are needed 4-6 weeks apart and repeat treatment is needed every 6-12 months (depending on the product) to maintain the results.
• Botox injections: These can help smooth fine lines and wrinkles especially around the eyes and forehead. However, they should be done by a medical professional who can personalise the dose and injection sites to your individual face. this will ensure that the result looks tasteful and natural. You can’t have ultra expensive looking skin if you develop that expressionless hollow doll over Botox’ed look!
• Dermal Fillers: Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers can help restore lost volume and even subtly enhance the face. If done correctly, the result should be a subtle improvement. Anything heavy handed will look unnatural and inexpensive.

Maintain Your Ultra Expensive Skin

Consistency is key to achieving and maintaining ultra-expensive skin. No matter how what lifestyle changes you make or skincare treatments you choose, they won’t be effective without regular use and maintenance. Patience is key and it takes time and effort to show significant improvements. It will also take even more time and lifelong commitment to maintain and build on them. Ultra expensive skin is not something you can dabble in. It needs hard work and consistency much like gardening or learning to play a musical instrument. The end result is undeniably worth the effort.

You can get ultra-expensive skin regardless of your budget. It’s all about employing an holistic approach to boost the health and appearance of your skin. You will need to improve you lifestyle, health and skincare practices. With the tight products and practices and a lot of time and patience, you can have smooth, youthful and radiant skin. If you have underlying skin problems then seek professional help to address these at the start of your journey. Professional treatments can also elevate your skin but only if you choose them wisely and add them into your holistic approach. Of course, this isn’t the only beauty trend. If it seems a little too much for you, try alternative approaches to radiance such as honey, jello or butter skin.

At City Skin clinic, we are passionate about personalised skincare. Our virtual skin clinic offers safe and effective treatments containing ingredients like Tretinoin and Hydroquinone (where appropriate) to treat skin conditions like acne, hyperpigmentation, melasma and skin ageing. Book a virtual consultation with one of our doctors today. The journey towards great skin starts here.