You have probably heard the term "medical grade skincare" and wondered what it means, and what is the actual difference is. This term lacks a concrete definition in the medical or skincare industry. It's more of a marketing strategy used to imply superior quality and effectiveness. While it does sounds impressive, there is no such thing as 'medical grade skincare'.
Now there is skincare available with a lot more clinical testing, higher quality ingredients and care taken with these products compared to those over the counter. These don't specifically have a name so the best way to label it is 'professional grade'. These products are not available to purchase online, only through a consultation with a qualified skin specialist who will recommend the most suitable product for your skin type.
There are some distinct differences between the two, so lets get into to it.
Professional Grade vs. Over the Counter: The Real Distinction
When it comes to skincare products, what truly matters is the formulation and potency of the ingredients. Here's where the divide between professional grade and over the counter products becomes evident.
Professional Grade Skincare:
Potency: This skincare can only be purchased from a licensed physician as they are made to be a lot more potent. They are loaded with sufficient amount of active ingredients that work much quicker and faster to give you the best results.
Formulation: The formulation of a skincare product is extremely important, its how certain ingredients in the product work well together to deliver the best results. Formulated by experts such as dermatologists or skincare professionals, these products undergo clinical testing and are known for their efficacy.
Professional advice: A trained and qualified professional will recommend what products will work best for your skin concern, bringing your skin back to a healthy beautiful state, without risk of causing any damage to your skin.
Ingredients: These are held at a much higher standard, with a pure form of the ingredient. Like formulation the ingredients will work well with one another and have a great delivery system to allow the skincare to be absorbed by your skin.
Results: Professional grade skincare is designed to deliver visible results, making them a favorite among skin therapists for treating various skin conditions. Results speak for themselves, and there are professional grade brands available that are cost effective to suit any budget.
Over the Counter Skincare:
Availability: Easily accessible in drugstores, supermarkets, and online, over the counter products cater to a wide audience but may lack the potency of professional grade ones. From this, if you do not understand your skin this gives you free reign to purchase what you think might be suitable, leaving you with the risk of causing more damage.
Marketing: A lot of skincare brands focus on the marketing aspect for their product and the packaging, if the product its self is cheap this means that their is probably very little money being spent on the ingredients and formulation of the product.
Formulation: Typically the ingredients are at a lower percentages and don't have much else in them to make them as effective as they could be. Over the counter products typically only treat the surface of the skin and cannot penetrate the deeper layers to address skin problems.
Ingredients: The concentrations of active ingredients in these products are generally lower compared to professional grade skincare. Due to lower quality ingredients, over the counter products contain low-quality filler ingredients such as silicones, sulfates and parabens. These ingredients can actually cause more harm than good to your skin as they strip the skin of proteins that are beneficial to balance your complexion. That's not to say that all silicone's and parabens are bad for your skin.
So, What's the Verdict?
As a qualified aesthetician it's essential to understand the distinction between marketing gimmicks and products that genuinely deliver on their promises. Choosing professional grade skincare backed by experts and science, you can elevate your skincare routine and unlock the full potential of your skin.
So, the next time you're shopping for skincare products, remember – it's not about the label or whether your best friend likes it, it's about the formulation and ingredients to truly make a difference in your skin's health and appearance. Make the switch to professional grade skincare and see for yourself what result driven skincare can achieve.
At Dermabright Aesthetics we offer personalised skin consultations to create a skincare routine that works for your skin concerns, offering a range of products for every skin condition. Choosing brands backed by science and always delivering on results.
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