Will OTC Skincare Products Give You Results?

For as long as you can remember, you’ve been applying the same moisturizer to your skin morning and night. Now, you’re starting to notice the signs of aging. Fine lines by your eyes, forehead furrows, and a crease around your mouth.

You may be wondering if it’s time to upgrade your skincare products. Maybe something that’s a little more heavy duty, or skincare products that promise to do more than just moisturize your skin.

You have questions. Are the products you find at high-end department stores more effective than what you can buy at a drugstore? Should you be talking to your doctor about skincare products?

Want to feel confident in choosing new products? Get the full story on skincare, including the difference between drugstore buys and medical-grade products.

OTC vs Medical-Grade Skincare Products

What’s the big difference between over-the-counter (OTC) skincare products and prescription lines? There are several key differences between the two categories. One big difference is price.

The moisturizers and serums you’re likely to find at the drugstore usually cost less than $20. You might find some higher end or designer products for between $50 and $100, but generally speaking, OTC products are much less expensive than medical-grade skincare.

Another key difference between the two is the quality and potency of ingredients. You’re going to find much higher concentrations of active ingredients such as Vitamin C or Retinol in prescription products. A higher concentration of certain ingredients often means that the product is going to provide better results than one with a lower concentration. In addition to having higher concentrations, many medical-grade skincare products often have more stable versions of those ingredients. Overall, you’re getting better quality ingredients with medical grade products compared to what you’d find OTC.

Other Issues With Using OTC Skincare Products

Another common issue with OTC skincare is that it can be difficult to determine which products are right for you. Visit the skincare aisle of your nearest drugstore or take a look at the skincare section at a department store or cosmetics store. There are literally hundreds of products on the shelves. The products claim to help treat adult acne, fight wrinkles, reduce redness, shrink pores and improve skin tone. But how do you know which one is right for you? What if you have multiple skin concerns?

When you’re browsing the aisles a drug or department store, it’s very easy to go overboard and buy more products that you need. Using all of those products together can wind up irritating your skin, leaving you worse off than you were before. Even if there’s a salesperson or product representative to help you choose a product, it’s important to remember that their goal is often to make a sale, not necessarily direct you to the right products. Plus, a salesperson only has the information you provide to them and a passing glance at your skin. That’s not really enough information to go on when it comes to making a production recommendation.

Finding the Skincare Products That Are Right for You

So how can you find the skincare products that will help to resolve your particular skin concerns? It all starts with a skin analysis. The Visia Skin Complexion Analysis can give you and your plastic surgeon a full understanding of what’s going on with your skin, both on and just below the surface. The analysis will let you know how many wrinkles you have, how large your pores are, and how much sun damage you have. If acne is a concern, it will also let you know how much bacteria is found on your skin.

With the information from the complexion analysis, your plastic surgeon or aesthetician can recommend products that will help to minimize or improve specific concerns like wrinkles, dark spots, or acne.

You will end up paying more for medical-grade skincare products than you would for products you can buy at a drugstore. But you’re also more likely to see results, making the higher price tag well worth it for money. To learn more about your prescription-strength skincare product options, call 281-810-9083 to schedule a consultation at Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique, in Houston, Texas, today.