Do I Actually Need Physician-Grade Skincare?

If you’ve heard about the rise in physician-grade skincare, but you’re not quite sure if that is the best route for you and your uniquely beautiful skin, then you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we are going to dive into what this unique category of skincare actually is, how it is different from drugstore (and even specialty store) skincare products, and who should and should not be using these products. Because let’s be honest; the price tag on these quality moisturizers, serums, cleansers, and the like, really isn’t comparable to the pricing seen on the drugstore alternatives… so is it really worth it?

To start...what does physician-grade skincare actually mean?

If you’re browsing your local beauty shop –such as Sephora, Ulta, etc.– and you’ve seen claims about “improved texture”, “smooth, supple skin”, “youthful beauty” then just remember to take in that information with a grain of salt. Because the surprising truth about most skincare brands is that the information on the bottles and jars are just marketing tactics that cannot actually be backed-up.

When it comes to these readily available skincare products, there is actually no regulation, which means that they are unable to make conclusive claims that these products can treat the skin ailment you are dealing with, whether that be dry skin, maturing skin, sun damage, dark circles, or anything else.

This also means that they cannot deeply penetrate the dermis (your skin) past a certain point, and so they are less effective. This is all despite the evidence that many of these products have pretty low concentrations of active ingredients, so are less likely to work anyway.

Medical-grade skincare, however, is different

You may hear terms like medical-grade, physician-grade, and even cosmeceutical-grade; all of these terms refer to the same group of skincare products: items produced and targeted for specific skin conditions and are regulated by the FDA, requiring actual proof that (A) they are safe, and (B) their claims are backed up by evidence.

They also have higher concentrations of powerful active ingredients and are able to penetrate into the skin further than drugstore brands, producing quicker and more effective results. Most of them have shown time and time again to address immediate cosmetic concerns(such as wrinkle-reduction, fine-line minimization, dark circle elimination, etc.), as well as deeper cosmetic concerns (such as for acne, skin conditions, and more).

These luxury skincare products are also typically stabilized in a different way than traditional alternatives, which allows them not only to last longer on the shelf but to offer the same potency of benefits for longer without degrading. Their absorption methods allow for enhanced delivery of key ingredients straight to the problem areas, not just on top of the outer layer of your skin.

Why you shouldn’t use medical-grade skincare

There are actually very few instances where this luxury skincare is not appropriate. Asking a dermatologist or skincare professional if luxury products should be used on your skin is akin to asking a doctor if prescription drugs should be used to manage symptoms of an illness. Because these products are tested and approved by the FDA, they are safe for nearly all individuals. The only situations where you may want to consider something else is if you have ultra-sensitive skin or a specific condition that would require more evaluation and specific formulation. For instances like these, we recommend you speak to your chosen professional before deciding what products to use on your skin.

Where can I buy medical-grade skincare?

In the past, the only place you could obtain these products was directly from your doctor or a dermatologist’s office. Nowadays, however, many of these premium brands are allowing authorized distribution of their products so you can buy online, making their lines more accessible by the general public than ever. Yay! No more doctor’s visits! Well… go to the doctor and stay healthy, but no more visits just to buy some skincare items!

Just because you can find these products online now, however, doesn’t mean that everything you see on the web will be authentic. So you always want to research and be sure you are buying the products from an actual authorized dealer to guarantee authenticity.

At DermSilk.com, we are distributors for several luxurious brands; SkinMedica, Obagi, EltaMD, Neocutis, PCA Skin, and Senté. Their fully inclusive product lines have everything you need for the best skincare routines and any type of skin. They also use the best ingredients and ensure true, measurable results.

So is it worth the price?

It is no wonder with the proven results that these skincare products have gained themselves a loyal following of men and women of all ages. The evidence-based claims add immeasurable value to these items that simply cannot be matched by the products found on the shelves at your local drug or beauty supply chain.

How many times have you bought a product from these shops and used it for a month, only to be disappointed by the results? Then you try a different one and experience the same frustration. Over and over again we test out new brands, serums, lotions, and magic potions that are supposed to help us but don’t offer effective results. By the end of all this trial and error, you’ve spent hundreds of dollars and are still left with the unfortunate conclusion: these products just don’t live up to their packaging claims.

Buying physician-grade skincare online, however, can be viewed as an investment in yourself; an investment in healthy, beautiful ageless skin that is positively established a place in the marketplace as something that actually works.