Medical Grade Skincare vs OTC
When it comes to taking care of our skin, we have a dizzying array of options to choose from. From drugstore cleansers and moisturizers to high-end department store brands, the skincare market is massively saturated with products promising to address our every skin concern. But when it comes to getting real results, not all skincare is created equal. Medical grade skincare, which is typically only available through licensed skincare professionals like your Aiyana Atelier providers, dermatologists, plastics, and licensed estheticians, offers advantages over the typical over-the-counter (OTC) options you'll find at your local Ulta or Sephora. Let's take a closer look at some of the key benefits and differences of true medical grade skincare.
1) Are the ingredients accurate and active?
The active ingredients in medical grade skincare products are more potent and effective than what you'll find in most OTC products. These formulations contain higher concentrations of clinically-proven ingredients like retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids, and vitamin C, which can provide more dramatic improvements in issues like fine lines, wrinkles, acne, hyperpigmentation, and other skin concerns.
For example, Vitamin C is an ingredient that can be very unstable. It needs a special formation to protect it from light, air and temperature variation or else it will become ineffective. The Vitamin C products we carry here are all formulated specifically to avoid this degradation. The drug-store brands often utilize a different process, leaving an unstable product, and after a very short time, sometimes even just a week or two, will become ineffective. Drug store brands also contain much more “fluff” or filler ingredients that may feel good or smell good to put on, but this fluff does nothing to make changes in your skin long term and ultimately leads to you using more product defeating the purpose of it being most cost effective.
2) Your product recommendations are tailored to YOU, not the influencer on TikTok
When you work with a skincare professional to incorporate medical grade products into your routine, you'll get a regimen that's customized to your unique skin type and needs. Your provider will assess your skin and design a targeted treatment plan using a combination of medical grade cleansers, serums, moisturizers, and other products. This level of personalization is rarely available with mass-market OTC skincare. Those products are formulated for the general population masses, which means they may not be optimized for your individual skin concerns. A professional skincare consultation ensures you're using the right products for your complexion, your desires, and offers the ability to track consistently. This is even more important when we are talking about skin of color, higher risk skin types, or incredibly sensitive or reactive skin types.
3) Research, Results, and Reliability
Medical grade skincare products are backed by extensive research and real-world efficacy in treating a wide range of skin concerns. Many medical grade brands have numerous studies demonstrating the measurable improvements their formulations can provide. OTC, drug-store and Sephora skincare is HUGELY under regulated and you really have no idea what might actually be in the products. The other reassuring fact is that with any single complaint that gets reported to the professional grade companies, they instantly begin trying to find a root cause
4) We’re on your side!
When you invest in a medical grade skincare regimen, you don't just get the products - you also get the expertise and guidance of a licensed skincare professional (hi!!). Your provider will not only help you choose the right products, but they'll also educate you on proper application techniques and monitor your skin's progress over time. This level of personalized support is crucial, especially when you're using more potent active ingredients that require careful introduction and adjustment. Your provider can help you navigate any initial purging or irritation, and make product recommendations or adjustments as needed to optimize your results.
Of course, medical grade skincare does come with a higher price tag than drugstore options (*sometimes*), but in the end you get what you pay for. Not sure where to start? Our new private line has recently expanded and we now offer many bundles that can make purchasing a new regimen a little less scary and more cost friendly!
