I follow skincare daily and seasonal news. I'm sure that many of you do the same thing. There are some sources that I trust for information. Reporters for major newspapers are usually unbiased. But, I had to disagree with a recent article.

In the reporter's defense, the product he recommended was a good one. It was just over-priced.

The product is designed to reduce bags and puffiness under the eyes. It contains nourishing ingredients like marine algae that have been shown to stimulate growth and revitalize the delicate skin surrounding the eye. The cost from Neiman Marcus was $145 for a half ounce.

I use a very similar product. It contains European ingredients called EYELISS and HALOXYL. Independent analysis showed that claims made for those ingredients are  daily news completely justified. They increase circulation of fluids, which gets rid of bags.

Marine algae & wakame kelp (along with the poly-peptides included in EYELISS and HALOXYL) work to improve the skin's thickness, which reduces wrinkling. The combination of increased fluid circulation and improved skin thickness serves to reduce dark circles.

The eye serum I use contains a total of 9 active ingredients. You might think it would cost more than the balm mentioned in the latest skincare daily news. Actually, it costs only $35.45 per half ounce.

The expensive balm costs over four times as much. Yet it contains fewer active ingredients. What accounts for the difference in price? One thing is that it is sold at Neiman Marcus.

Retailers must make a profit in order to stay in business. The company probably pays $60 or $70 wholesale for the eye balm, which is still twice what I pay for a better product.

Advertising and marketing contributes to the manufacturer's cost. Products from the major cosmetic manufacturers will always cost more, because of the major ad campaigns they run.

I have found that you get the best prices when you order natural skin care products from online retailers, largely because their costs are lower. You don't always get the most effective products. That takes a little research.

The eye serum I use is manufactured by Xtendlife. I make it a part of my skincare daily rituals. Maybe you should, too.

Valerie Rosenbaum is an experienced and well researched writer on the subject of natural skin care products. She has been researching them for many years.