At Home Skincare: Medical Grade Products vs. Over the Counter

By Mary Brooks APRN, Couture Med Spa Winter Park

Whether we like it or not, the words Coronavirus and COVID19 are a huge part of our vocabulary today. For many of us, that means that our regular facials, med spa services, or beauty upkeep appointments are all on hold. Although we are social distancing and most of us are on lockdown, that doesn’t mean we have to sit back and allow our self-care regimen to regress. There are many things that we can be doing at home to keep up a flawless look. Let’s face it; we should all have a daily, healthy-skincare routine. If you don’t have a routine in place, then this article is for you.  

How to shop for beauty products:

Don’t waste money on over the counter (OTC) beauty products with only a sprinkle of active ingredients, purchase from a medical spa or facility for medical-grade products with ingredients that actually work. There are so many claims thrown around by OTC beauty products that have little to no impact on their active properties. “Voted #1 most moisturizing retinol cream” or “formulated with OUR highest concentration of hyaluronic acid”—sound familiar? Don’t focus on what’s written in large print on the cover. Instead, look at the small print on the back and see how much of the active ingredient is being used.  

What are some must-have beauty products for daily use?

• Vitamin C serum – brightens the complexion, supports healthy collagen production, and helps fight free radicals. 
• Hyaluronic Acid Serum – a powerful skincare product that can help retain moisture. Hyaluronic Acid is an oil-free ingredient that works to replenish the skin’s moisture as well as plumps and smooths the appearance of fine lines.
• Retinol Serum – improves fine lines, wrinkles, and unwanted age spots to help achieve smoother, firmer, more evenly toned skin. Studies suggest that you need to use at least 0.25% retinol or 0.025% tretinoin (Retin-A) to be effective, so we recommend using a product that specifies the percentage.
• Sunscreen – wear it EVERY SINGLE DAY if you’re leaving the house. Repeated sun exposure can cause changes in the skin, including sun spots, premature wrinkles, and even skin cancer. Did you know that the average person gets around 18 hours of sun exposure per week? Imagine the damage that is being done to your skin daily without even realizing it. It is one simple added step to protecting your skin, which you’re stuck with for life, so we hope you are treating yours with the utmost respect!

Are you looking to start building your self-care toolbox? Contact us to schedule a consultation for a personalized skincare routine! 

 Don’t let anyone treat you like over the counter skin care, you are medical grade baby girl, medical grade!