Skincare is the least invasive way to change your skin.
In order to get results consumers should understand the difference between over-the-counter cosmeceuticals and pharmaceutical/ medical grade products.
We always recommend pharmaceutical/medical grade skincare products because they provide a superior level of treatment unmatched to Over-The-Counter (OTC) cosmeceuticals (products that can be purchased without a prescription). Medical grade products have the ability to reverse damage done to the skin, treat existing skin problems and protect skin from future damage. Most people do not understand that OTC products are not required to have clinical studies performed on their products. Only “medical grade” products (available at a physician’s office or where there is a medical director) must go through an extensive testing and approval processes to ensure its effectiveness and proven results.
Pharmaceutical grade ingredients are more expensive BUT provide more of the active ingredient and are safer for the consumer to use because they do not contain impurities.
There are many factors why phamaceutical grade products cost more, here are a few important ones:
- Very few over the counter skincare products are formulated with medical-quality ingredients. To earn a “pharmaceutical grade” label using medical-quality ingredients they have to be tested to verify purity and effectiveness. The testing process is not cheap.
- Medical grade products contain a higher amount of Active ingredients than anything you could buy over the counter. (Active ingredients are those that can physically change your skin (i.e.; reduce wrinkles, brown spots, acne, hydrate, etc.)) Medical grade ingredients are also pure vs OTC which often contain “fillers” because they are cheap AND can be problematic for many skin types.
- OTC products are NOT allowed by the FDA to penetrate the outer most layer of the skin; a.k.a the epidermis “dead tissue of the skin”. They instead sit on the surface of the skin. True changes that come to the skin are a result of altering the Dermal layer; a.k.a. dermas “living tissue”. Medical grade ingredients penetrate the epidermis to work deeper in the skin.
- Product development is also a significant cost. The most innovative science is expensive but this allows the consumer to purchase very effective products.
This isn’t to say that you won’t see results from an OTC skincare product. You may receive minimal results to the epidermis. It will also take longer to notice improvement and you will have to use more of the products, which means spending more money. True changes that come to the skin are a result of altering the Dermal layer.
This is why we recommend products that are pharmaceutical / medical grade. These products will not only give great results but are GOOD for your skin and worth spending extra. The skincare lines we carry have published studies with proven results. They also stand behind their product 100%, meaning if you are using the product correctly and are not seeing results or are not completely satisfied you can bring it back for a full refund*.
The medical grade skincare lines we carry and endorse their quality of proven results are: Revision Skincare, iS Clinical Skincare and NEOCUTIS Skincare.
We would be happy help you in determining what products would best suit your skin based on your budget and skin concerns. Fill out this form to set up your complimentary skincare analysis.
*A full refund for iS Clinical Skincare will issued only if there is a reaction.