As professional skin care experts we get asked often what’s the difference between the products you sell and the ones I would pick up at the drug store or other retailers. Companies like to use catch words like: “retinol” “peptides” “stem cells” “organic” to get you interested in the product. Below is a list of important facts to consider when shopping for your next skin care purchase.
- Over the counter products are often made in large batches and mass produced. When a product is made in mass quantities, it becomes difficult to control the quality of the product. Professional skincare lines are often made in small batches and sold only thru authorized resellers.
- Store bought products are cheaper & may claim to have great ingredients in them. The fact is that professional products have a higher concentration of high-quality active ingredients than over-the-counter or OTC products. This ensures that you will get better results from the professional products.
- The optimal pH of skin is between 4.7 and 5.7 which is mildly acidic. Over-the-counter skincare products don’t take pH into account and often shift the skin’s pH in the opposite direction. An alkaline pH level leaves the skin vulnerable to bacteria and free radicals which can damage the skin. Professional skincare products are designed to support the integrity of the skin’s protective barrier using pH-adjusted ingredients.
- Professional products are designed for maximum penetration. The skin features a protective barrier that prevents large molecules from penetrating the skin. The problem with many over-the-counter products is that they can’t penetrate the skin barrier – they may superficially relieve surface skin concerns, but only professional products have small enough molecules to deliver clinical results.
- Over the counter products are formulated to last through the lengthy process of manufacturing, warehouse storage, and distribution. Once an OTC product arrives at the retailers, who knows how long it will be sitting on a shelf – or in back stock. Because of this, OTC products have to be filled with a high level of preservatives and fillers so they are able to last for years. Many of the preservatives used in the products we use are toxic to our bodies and damage our cells – like parabens. Professional products should never contain fillers, dyes or inexpensive oils that can clog the pores and cause irritation.
Here is a quick reference chart to think of while shopping for your products
Over-the-Counter Products | Professional Products |
Made in large batches for the masses | Made in small batches |
Low percentage of active ingredients | High levels of active ingredients |
Contain fillers | Clinical, corrective |
Sensory; Smells good | No colors or dyes |
Probably have high pH levels | pH adjusted |
Products are made of large molecules | Product molecules are small |
Sits on top of the skin; feels good | Penetrates the skin; treats condition |
Purchased at department/drug stores | Sold in professional outlets |
Usually pricey for what you really get | Reasonably priced for quality products |
Any questions just reach out to one of our skin care experts for a complimentary consultation!
Cheers!
Inspire Staff.