Are you interested in starting an effective skincare routine but feel completely overwhelmed by the number of products available today? If so, you’re not alone! Each year, Americans spend billions of dollars on skincare products they hope will improve the health and appearance of their skin. Where once we had only an aisle at the drugstore to choose from and expensive department store products, consumers now have entire skincare departments in Walmart and Target, stand-alone stores like Ulta and Sephora, and millions of online options. It’s no wonder that the vast majority of us are confused about what is suitable for our skin and which products are worth the investment. However, there are some crucial differences between the products you can buy over the counter at drug and department stores and those only available at clinics with medical oversight, like Refinery Skin Clinic. Let’s take a closer look at five key differences between over-the-counter (OTC) skincare and physician-grade skincare.
What does “Physician-Dispensed” or “Physician-Grade” skincare mean?
Physician-grade skincare refers to product lines like SkinMedica® that are only available through a clinic or business under the medical direction of a physician or nurse practitioner. These innovative products focus on safely stimulating real, biological actions on the skin below the stratum corneum. Although “Physician-Grade” is not an official term recognized by the FDA, it’s important to note that these products are not cosmetics that do not change the skin’s structure or function.
Physician-grade products typically feature higher concentrations of active ingredients and are often backed by extensive scientific research and clinical studies. Furthermore, physician-grade skincare products are specifically designed to target distinct skin issues and are known for their heightened potency and efficacy compared to their over-the-counter counterparts.
What are over-the-counter (OTC) skincare products?
As the name suggests, over-the-counter skincare products can be purchased without a prescription and are commonly found in department stores, big box stores, supermarkets, and online stores. They have very low concentrations of active ingredients and are predominantly comprised of filler and binders to increase the volume of the product inexpensively.
What are some of the key differences between OTC and physician-grade skincare?
#1 – Concentration of active ingredients
A primary disparity between OTC skincare and physician-grade skincare lies in the concentration of active ingredients. Physician-grade products typically contain elevated levels of active ingredients such as retinoids, antioxidants, and acids, which lead to more pronounced and visible results. Conversely, OTC skincare products generally contain lower concentrations of these active ingredients, limiting their effectiveness in addressing specific skin concerns. Keep in mind that OTC skincare lines aim to sell as many units as possible at a high volume. This goal cannot be achieved if too many people develop any irritation or redness from highly active ingredients – plus, manufacturing a product with higher concentrations of active ingredients is more expensive for companies to create, so OTC products fill their products with less expensive fillers and binders.
An excellent example of why concentration levels of active ingredients matter is Vitamin C. Ascorbic acid is immensely popular for its ability to brighten skin and defend it from free radical damage. However, Vitamin C is completely ineffective if not formulated in a strong enough concentration or packaged correctly in a dark or opaque bottle. To make things even more confusing, OTC brands can legally say that they contain Vitamin C, even if the product has as little as 0.0001% Vitamin C. That’s why looking at ingredient lists and seeing where the ingredients you are investing in are placed is essential. The further down the list, the less concentrated that ingredient is.
Physician-dispensed lines will not only use pure Vitamin C derivatives at higher levels, but they will formulate them to last longer on your skin and package them in containers that prevent the vitamin’s viability from denaturing with UV exposure and oxidation.
#2 – Advanced delivery systems
In addition to higher concentrations of active ingredients, physician-grade skincare products often incorporate advanced delivery systems that enhance the penetration of active ingredients into the skin. This superior absorption can significantly bolster the overall efficacy of the product. In contrast, OTC products may lack these intricate delivery systems, potentially impacting their ability to deliver optimal results. For example, in physician-grade skincare lines, you will often see active ingredients, like retinol, encapsulated in liposomes or partnered with different acids to make them penetrate more deeply into the layers of your skin.
#3 – Oversight and regulation
Another key difference between OTC skincare and physician-grade skincare is the level of oversight and regulation. Physician-grade skincare products undergo rigorous testing and regulation, instilling consumers with a high level of confidence in their safety and efficacy. This commitment to quality and safety is a stark contrast to the less stringent regulation of OTC offerings, providing consumers with peace of mind about the products they’re using on their skin and that they clinically-proven to work!
#4 – Research and development vs. celebrity endorsement and packaging
Massive corporations like Unilever and Gillette pay celebrities millions of dollars to endorse their skincare products, even though, let’s face it, that product was most likely never used by that celebrity. In contrast, physician-grade skincare lines reinvest their profits into research and development to run clinical trials, improve existing products, and create new ones.
Although we all enjoy aesthetically beautiful packaging, appreciate that a skincare bottle doesn’t deliver results – what’s inside it does! Department store skincare lines invest heavily in package design to stand out from their competition and catch your eyes as you walk through the countless aisles of options. Physician-grade products reserve those funds to study and improve the efficacy of what goes IN the bottle to ensure you get results!
#5 – Physician-grade products come with the partnership of an Advanced Practice Esthetician
The teenager who sells you the latest anti-aging cream at Ulta isn’t going to follow up with you in four weeks to ensure the product is working, but your Refinery Skin Clinic Advanced Practice Esthetician will! A huge benefit of purchasing physician-grade products from a professional skin clinic like Refinery is that a licensed skincare expert will manage and oversee your progress! Better yet, your esthetician can first provide a thorough skin analysis and listen to your goals and concerns to ensure you are using the best lineup of effective products that will get you results. In the long run, this can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on skincare instead of having a medicine cabinet full of OTC products that generate no visible change in your skin.
At Refinery Skin Clinic, our Advanced Practice Estheticians are committed to your skincare journey. They meet with their clients regularly to fine-tune your skincare and track your progress. This level of accountability and collaboration is something you won’t find in a drugstore or department store skincare line. It’s just one of the many unique benefits of choosing physician-grade skincare.
Refinery Skin Clinic’s Year-Round Radiance Skincare Membership
Are you ready to take your skincare seriously but need help getting started? Our Year-Round Radiance Skincare membership is perfect for you!
Refinery Skin Clinic believes how you care for your skin at home is integral to your skin’s overall health and appearance. Using a customized, professional skincare regimen not only helps you achieve better results with our treatments but may also allow you to enjoy your results for longer! That’s why we’re passionate about recommending products that will directly address each client’s unique concerns and provide fast, visible improvement to your skin. Our monthly skincare membership partners you with an Advanced Practice Esthetician who will design your ideal product prescription. This regimen can conveniently be shipped to your home every three months or picked up in our office. Enjoy your healthiest skin year-round with incredible discounts on products and additional treatments with Refinery’s monthly skincare membership!
Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Refinery Skin Clinic Advanced Practice Esthetician to discuss your skincare goals and recommend the perfect lineup of skincare products to help you achieve them by calling or texting (952) 479-0603 today!