Several years ago, I developed an expensive habit.  I got hooked on Tammy Fender’s Intensive Repair Balm; 1.7oz costs $130.  I tried to quit several times.  I would run out, and swear I wasn’t going to replace the jar.  But then, two weeks later, my skin’s sallow, uneven texture would send me running to Neiman Marcus for more.

I tried every product in the sub-$100 range that promised to offer the same benefits.  Nothing came close.  My addiction was costly, it was strong, and it was lasting.  Because when you have bad skin, you’ll pay whatever the medicine costs.

Three weeks ago, I picked up a sample of Fresh’s Black Tea Age Delay Cream ($90).  Initially, I was put off by the smell–which can only be described as Eau de Dill Pickle.  But the silky texture and rave online reviews convinced me to press on.

Fresh’s Black Tea line is made with Kombucha, a fermented tea that’s rich in antioxidants.  Add lychee and blackberry root and you have a potent free radical-fighting product.  The Age Delay Cream claimed benefits are firmer skin, reduced lines and wrinkles, and improved texture.

My skin has loved this moisturizer.  It looks brighter and smoother with more even tone.  It has never felt too dry or too oily.  I have seen no uptick in blemishes or irritation.  In fact, my acne seems less red and angry than before.  And the lines in my forehead seem to have relaxed a bit.

While $90 is still a lot of money, it’s a sizable difference from $130.  And unlike Tammy Fender, which is only available at a handful of stores and sometimes out of stock, the Fresh products are available at any Sephora.

I know that some of you will ask me if I’ve heard of anything similar in a lower price point.  I did some digging and found two products.  Murad’s Anti-Aging Moisturizer ($48) also contains Kombucha.  And this $55 Juara black tea and hyaluronic acid moisturizer.  Both seem to offer similar benefits to the Fresh product.