Medical Grade Skincare vs. Over the Counter Department Store Brands
When you open up your medicine cabinet to all of your skincare products, what do you see? Do you see CVS brand moisturizer and other over the counter products? If so, listen here. We will tell you why choosing the right skincare products is an important first step in improving your skin. If you are looking for long lasting results, medical grade skincare should be the only products you are using. Medical grade products are superior to those that can be purchased over the counter or at a department store. Pharmaceutical/medical grade products can only be sold in a licensed physician’s office, as they contain the highest percentage of active ingredients with the highest purity. These ingredients are effective, tiny in molecular size, and vital to physically changing the appearance of the skin. They are able to penetrate the epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (lower layer). Below the dermis is where we can find collagen, elastin, pigmentation, as well as where our new cells are produced. These active ingredients can help retexture the skin, minimize fine lines, diminish the effects of sun damage, reduce pigmentation, and much more.
Since no medical license is needed to sell over the counter (OTC) products, they can be purchased anywhere. Such products are made for a mass market (general public) and have a higher level of preservatives, allowing them to sit on store shelves for years. They do not contain active high grade ingredients and are larger in molecular size than medical grade products. This makes it difficult for OTCs to penetrate the epidermis (outer layer) or the dermis (lower layer), and treat the problem from its core.
As an Aesthetician, I always educate my patients on the importance of using pharmaceutical grade products vs. over the counter. If you are looking to address your skins needs, pharmaceutical products are the quickest and safest way get the results you are looking for. I explain to my patients that using OTCs will only act as a Band-Aid. While they might temporarily cover up the problem, they will not fix it. Using the right products can make all the difference in achieving more radiant skin. To learn what skincare products are right for you, schedule your consultation today!