Ready for a 2023 beauty refresh while saving some bucks in the process? Dr. Fayne Frey (pronounced “FAINE FRY”), author of The Skincare Hoax: How You’re Being Tricked into Buying Lotions, Potions & Wrinkle Cream (Skyhorse Publishing), names five skincare products that she says are all a person needs. Women spend an average of $3,756 per year on beauty products, according to a survey commissioned by Groupon. Dr. Frey claims that the high cost of boutique products is due to unnecessary packaging and clever marketing, not better ingredients.

As a board-certified medical doctor and a consumer advocate (think “Ralph Nader for beauty”), this dermatologist wants consumers to focus on the facts and not the fluff — so much so, her brand, FryFace.com, is dedicated to providing consumer reviews on products without getting paid by the skincare industry. Dr. Frey does not promote a specific brand (but she can if you want) and says you can go to the drugstore or supermarket to buy the list she recommends so that you can save money and still be the best version of you!

Dr. Frey’s 5 Must-Have, Cost-Cutting Beauty Products for 2023:
1. 100% Pure Petroleum Jelly = $5 for a large 1 lb. jar. Dr. Frey claims that it’s the most versatile skincare product on the market — it’s safe to use, is affordable and easy to find.
2. A Name Brand Well-formulated Moisturizer = Less than $20 for 16 ounces (1 pound). Dr. Frey recommends moisturizers that work! Ones that have been objectively proven to increase water content of skin. And they can be applied on your face or body and are easily found on local drugstore shelves — in jars, tubes or pumps!
3. Sunscreen = Less than $15 for a large dispenser (about 1/2 pound). Since sunscreen should be applied daily, you’re going to go through it … no need to purchase expensive boutique brands. And sunscreen comes in sprays, tubes and sticks. It’s your preference!
4. Soap-free cleansers = $15/20-ounce pump or $3 a bar. Harsh detergents in soaps can strip away necessary skin oils, and may cause dryness, irritation and inflammation. Milder soap-free cleansers can be used on the face or body and can even remove makeup — if you choose to keep the pancake on!
5. Lip balm with SPF = $1.50/balm. Lips need moisture and protection from the sun. A lip balm with SPF should be applied daily. And name brand lip balms are available for less than $1.50 a balm!

Dr. Fayne Frey is a board-certified dermatologist and graduate of Weill Cornell Medical College. In addition to having her expertise featured in publications, including Reader’s Digest, Runner’s World and The Doctor Weighs In, she has been a featured guest on NBC, CBS, Z100 Radio and many other outlets. Through her website, FryFace.com, she promotes dermatology education to help consumers choose the safest and most affordable products. She currently lives in the New York Tri-State area with her husband and has four grown children.