I’m sure you’ve been using skincare for years but are you using skincare correctly? Do you understand the difference between over the counter and medical grade skin care? There are several things you need to know about skincare in order to use it effectively and get the most benefits from it. We’re going look at some of the myths and realities of what skin care is all about.
Over the counter skin care
Most of what you see in store counters is what is known as “over the counter.” This means, in short, that the manufacturer relies more on marketing than research for their products. Most of these companies use substances to quickly hydrate the skin but don’t do much more than that. The active ingredients tend to be weak and there is rarely objective clinical trials and studies backing claims. Several these products contain a large amount of filler material and you are encouraged to use as much as you can. More usage=more product sales. Make sense?
On the flipside, medical grade skin care is generally much more potent. Rather than relying on a celebrity endorsement, these products are typically found in a physician or medical spa setting. They require a DEA license to be dispensed because they are typically much more potent. Most companies use legitimate clinical trials that have been published in dermatology and scientific journals. The strategy for sales is through physicians as they can diagnose the patients for the right kind of skincare. Less is more with medical grade products, only needing a pea-sized amount for use.
Cleansers
Unfortunately, there isn’t a “one-size fits all” here. And to make matters worse, there are a lot of poor cleansers out there. A good cleanser should be balanced and use either a glycolic or salicylic acid or both. Glycolic acids will help calm down inflammation caused by washing. Salicylic acids are great at clinging to dirt and oils and removing them from the skin. The combination of the two can be fantastic. IS Clinical has a solid Cleansing Complex that has both. Guys really like using Epionce’s Lytic Gel Cleanser- this is great because it helps control irritation after shaving by using lavender, marshmallow, menthol and salicylic acid. When using these types of products, one pump or about a nickel-sized amount will wash your whole face and neck. Using more won’t hurt, it’s just not necessary.
Retinol
Retinols are a derivative of vitamin A and cause skin cells to turnover. This is good because it acts like a natural exfoliator without over doing it. A lot of people over cleanse their skin which can lead to all kinds of issues including acne, premature aging, and even brown spots. This can be avoided by using retinol, but it needs to be used at night only. Since you are causing cells to turnover, you don’t want to do it during the day as your skin will be more sensitive to sunlight and this can potentially damage your skin. If it is medical grade retinol you only need a pea-sized amount. Take it and dab small spots on your forehead, cheeks, nose and neck. It’s hard to believe on a pea-sized amount is needed, but remember medical grade skin care is potent and less is more. If you need a suggestion we really like Replenix’s all-trans-retinol because it has clinical backing and is really easy to spread.
Moving forward
We could really go on and on with several other ways to use skincare but we tried to mention the highlights here for our readers. Skincare can be confusing and complex but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you aren’t using it already, try medical grade skincare. You end up spending less money because you use less of it and it lasts a lot longer. Another positive is that it’s not made by a marketing company. Usually it’s a pharmaceutical company that has spent millions of dollars studying it so it fits your needs. Have more questions? Please email us anytime (support@reflectskin.com) as we are always happy to help. The other option is to try our quiz which will create a customized skin care regimen for you based your needs. Give it a try (click here). You won’t be disappointed.
To your continuing skin education,
Team Reflect
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