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Are you throwing away your hard earned money for “fancy” designer skin care that delivers false expectations? Is your bathroom cabinet jam packed with barely used, florally scented facial creams that don’t make you look “10 years younger”, as promised?? If so, don’t feel bad! With the hottest marketing trends and advertising claims, it is near impossible for consumers not to fall under the spell of cosmetic companies. As Licensed skincare experts, we are here to educate you so you can protect your investments. The truth is, there is a huge difference between “over-the-counter”/cosmetics vs. pharmaceuticals/cosmeceuticals, and it’s not the price tag.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) divides skin care products into these two distinct categories: cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Cosmetics are the well-known, department store or OTC (over-the-counter) beauty products that Webster defines as “articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body...for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance.” Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? Here is the problem; cosmetic companies can claim, promise, and advertise whatever it is that you as the consumer want to hear. The marketing technique is to use pretty pictures and catch phrases like; “Clinically Proven “and “Dermatologist Tested”. These companies are not regulated by the FDA, they can claim “scientific-studies” without any proof or validation of the products efficacy or safety. You can bet, however, that the packaging will be aesthetically appealing and I’m certain the fragrance is absolutely fabulous, but let’s be honest; those qualities don’t deliver results.
In the world of pharmaceuticals, it’s an entirely different story. Often times it can take years, numerous studies and millions of dollars for the FDA to approve a pharmaceutical product formulation. The term “Cosmeceuticals “, coined by the famous skin researcher Albert Kligman, to define these professional medical grade skin care products. You can only purchase cosmeceuticals through a physician, dermatologist, or licensed aesthetician due to the contents high concentration of active ingredients. The products ability to change and improve the appearance of your skin is with the correct mixture of high concentrated active ingredients and, arguably even more essential than the constituents itself, is the depth of skin penetration.
Metaphorically speaking, let’s think of our skin as a mattress and sheets, the dermis being the mattress and epidermis representing the sheets. In order to have taught sheets, your mattress has to be in good condition, right? Although the epidermis is the layer that we can physically see, it is made of mostly dead skin cells. As we age our cell turnover rate slows immensely, giving you a rough dull complexion. OTC cosmetics simply cannot contain the same percentage of active ingredients, there for not having the strength to penetrate through the epidermis, limiting any product benefits to the outermost layer of the skin. Esthetically speaking, our dermis is the ‘live’ layer of our skin. This is where the production of new cells begin, most importantly; collagen and elastin. These proteins are a key factor in the vitality of our skin providing it with support and structure. The human body stops producing elastin when you hit puberty and without the replenishment of elastin, collagen will in turn lose its elasticity and being to weaken, hence the aging process begins! Cosmeceuticals have the ability to penetrate all layers of the skin, thus being able to regenerate the production of collagen and elastin, correct previous damage, prevent future damage, and protect your existing healthy skin.
Don’t take a gamble when it comes to the health and appearance of your skin; choose a regimen that is proven to deliver results.
Until next time, be well. XO
