By Christian Pepin
Throughout the my years as an Esthetician, I have gotten one question every single day. “What is the difference between ‘my skin care’ and ‘your products’?” This is quite a complex answer, though one that really should be addressed every time you think about buying that “miracle” cream from the grocery store or pharmacy.*
When we are searching for products, we are consistently bombarded with commercials that claim your skin will look like new within 7 days, and that simply is not the case. Here are the very basics of what you should know when picking out that “miracle” cream.
The Food and Drug Administration is in charge of overseeing all drug and food relations, and must be approved before it goes into the stores. Although, drugs are subject to review by the FDA, cosmetics are not. There are no specific guidelines for your cosmetics, like there are for medications. Therefore, the FDA puts all cosmetic products on the sidelines, and very minimally look at the formulas.
So what does this mean? This means that the formulas for your cosmetic products do NOT have to prove that they are effective in any way, or even safe, because it is not meant to alter your skin in anyway. Thus, Over The Counter (OTC) products are not required to disclose every ingredient in the products. Makes you wonder what you’re truly putting on your skin, and where it comes from.
With professional products, they are subject to a completely different review, because just like certain medications, they are only allowed to be sold by a licensed professional (Medical Doctor, Pharmacist, Esthetician, respectively). These products have to undergo and be approved to higher standards because they are sold to specifically alter the skin, and penetrate to the living layers of your skin, where OTC products are not. These products have a full disclosure of all the ingredients, therefore you know exactly what you are putting on your skin.
Your skin is naturally slightly acidic. Most issues start with the pH of your skin, and when the pH of your skin is not balanced, then you start to get breakouts. Altering the pH of your skin can come from a number of factors, however putting OTC products on your face will put your skin at a higher acidic level, or more alkaline, which in return can make you overly dry, overly oily and simply not balanced. Professional products are meant to balance the pH of your skin by using real ingredients.
Another misconception most people have about professional products is their cost. Let me be very clear when I tell you this statement is completely false. Any skin care regimen is going to be an investment, as it should be. Although its better to invest in the right products, with the real ingredients without fillers and preservatives. The average cost for a professional cleanser is anywhere from $25-$40 however, its meant to last 4-5 months when using the correct amount, twice daily. Other creams, depending on what your target areas are, will cost a small fraction of what you’d spend on OTC products in a years time.
The truth is, consumers are not educated on these products, and wonder why their skin care regimen is not working like the commercials advertise. You invest in your heart by exercising, you invest in your brain by reading, so why not invest in your skin. Your skin protects all your vital organs. Seeing an licensed esthetician is never meant to break the bank, though to get educated on the largest organ of your body- your skin.
For more questions about our skin care products and for cost, call Christiana at Skin Deep Medical Aesthetics (802) 879-3742, book now or stop by and visit us in Essex Junction!
*Individual results may vary.
