What each step costs in Pakistan
Buy three products first: a face wash, a moisturiser and a sunscreen. Bought locally, those three come to roughly Rs. 3,800 and will do more for your skin than any serum you add before them. Serums are the fourth purchase, not the first, and imported versions of all four cost three to five times the local price for no reliable gain.
Every band below was read on 5 September 2026 across the Pakistani brands and reseller listings compared in more detail on the individual guides linked from this page. Two things the ranges show. Local pricing is genuinely competitive with imported pricing on formulation, and the gap is almost entirely import margin and handling rather than what is in the bottle. And sunscreen is the one step where Elluvi has nothing on sale yet and still puts it second in the list, because the evidence is not close.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Step | What to look for | Local / imported |
|---|---|---|
| Face wash | Gentle, and judged on what it contains and price per millilitre. A stated acid such as glycolic adds gradual exfoliation with regular evening use | Rs. 349–1,800 / Rs. 3,550–7,050 |
| Moisturiser | Humectants for oily skin, ceramides or urea for dry. The most-used step, so per-millilitre price matters most here | Rs. 425–1,600 / Rs. 6,499 |
| Sunscreen | SPF 50 with a stated PA rating for UVA. Elluvi's gel sunscreen is not on sale yet; buy one now and buy it before any serum | Rs. 1,550–1,899 / Rs. 5,200–5,865 |
| Morning serum | Vitamin C at a stated form and percentage. 10% is the practical reference point | Rs. 1,299–2,099 / Rs. 3,000–5,500 |
| Night retinoid | Retinol at a stated percentage. Below about Rs. 700 you are almost certainly buying retinyl palmitate, which is much weaker | Rs. 560–1,449 / Rs. 5,450–11,955 |
For oily skin and pores
Niacinamide with Zinc PCA is a practical choice for oily and combination skin. It helps the skin look less shiny, supports the barrier and can improve the appearance of pores over time.
Elluvi Hydra Glow Serum uses 10% niacinamide, 1% Zinc PCA and hyaluronic acid in a lightweight texture.
For dark spots and dullness
Vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night are useful for uneven tone, but both depend on daily sunscreen. Without SPF, dark spots can keep returning in Pakistan's UV exposure.
For daily hydration
A moisturiser should support the skin barrier without feeling greasy. Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides and aloe are useful ingredients for daily comfort.
Product type comparison
A cleanser removes oil and pollution, a serum targets one concern, a moisturiser supports comfort, and SPF protects the progress. Buying one product from each role is more useful than buying several products that do the same thing.
How to spot a counterfeit product
Check the product code, the seal and the manufacture or expiry date, consistent printing and packaging, a full INCI ingredient list, and a seller who is authorised rather than a random marketplace listing. A price far below everyone else is the clearest warning sign.
Counterfeit skincare is a real problem in this market, and the risk is not just a wasted purchase. Fake actives can be under-dosed, over-dosed or contaminated. If you are buying an active product, buy from the brand's own site or an authorised stockist, even when a marketplace listing is cheaper.
What a fair price looks like in Pakistan
Serums generally run Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 3,000, cleansers Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,500, and moisturisers Rs. 800 to Rs. 2,500 for locally available formulated products. Imported brands sit well above that, largely because of import cost rather than formula quality.
Work out cost per use rather than sticker price. At two to three drops a use, a 30 ml serum lasts about three months twice daily, or about six once a day; a 120 ml moisturiser used twice daily lasts about three. On that basis a Rs. 1,249 moisturiser costs under Rs. 15 a day, which is a more useful comparison than the shelf price.
Reading the ingredient list
Ingredients appear in descending order by quantity down to 1%. An active named in the marketing but sitting near the end of the list is present in a token amount. A stated percentage on the front of the pack is the single most useful signal a brand can give you.
This is why "contains vitamin C" means much less than "10% vitamin C". Brands that state percentages are making a claim you can check. Brands that use phrases like "blend" or "infused with" and never say what is in them usually are not.
How to read skincare reviews
Look for reviews that mention skin type, how long the person used the product, and a specific outcome. Reviews written within days of delivery describe the packaging and texture, not results, because results take weeks.
Be sceptical of extremes in both directions. A product that transformed someone's skin in five days and one that ruined it overnight are usually describing something other than the product. The useful reviews are the moderate ones from people with your skin type.
A sensible order to buy in
Sunscreen first, then a cleanser that suits your skin, then a moisturiser, then one serum for your main concern. That order buys the most benefit per rupee.
Sunscreen comes first because it protects whatever else you do. Buying an expensive brightening serum before a sunscreen is spending money to undo it every afternoon.
Shop what this guide covers
Niacinamide serum for oily skin, open pores and uneven tone
Vitamin C serum for dark spots, uneven tone and dullness
Lightweight, non-greasy moisturiser for oily, combination and dry skin
Glycolic acid face wash for dullness, congestion and uneven texture