Medical-Grade Vs. Over-the-Counter Skincare Products: What Is The Difference?

With so many overwhelming options in choosing a skincare line, whether it’s an over-the-counter or a medical grade line, you are probably wondering what’s the difference? Are medical-grade products a worthwhile investment?

The answer is yes. The reasons why are followed:

1. Higher-Quality and Concentration of Ingredients

Among the major differences that set medical-grade products apart from over-the-counter (OTC) is the quality of ingredients. The concentration percentage of ingredients in every formula of a specific medical-grade product is higher than its OTC counterpart. OTC products also contain a lot of fillers. Higher concentrated formulas also bring desired results based on higher quality and concentrations of ingredients.

2. Higher Research Standards, Purity And Safety Regulated

Medical-grade skincare are subject to thorough research and clinical studies to prove their benefits. Most OTC products are not held to the same standards or observed through research to back up their claims. Medical-grade products have the oversight of Health Canada.

3. Deeper Skin Penetration

Over-the-counter products only treat the surface of the skin and cannot penetrate deeper to address skincare problems, whereas medical-grade products are scientifically formulated to penetrate into the dermis (the home of the elastin and collagen) and into the base level where the production of fresh new cells takes place. They have the capacity to treat skin issues that have damaged your skin and add a layer of protection to prevent future problems from harming your skin and help prevent further excessive aging.

4. Professional Advice

One great benefit that comes with medical-grade skin care is that you can have consult with a skincare professional. We can adjust your list of products based on your skin conditions and concerns, so you’ll be more confident that you’re investing in effective products even when your skincare goals or needs change over time. We can also educate you on the products that you need to use as well as the side effects that come with using them.

5. You Get What You Pay For

There exists a notion that medical-grade products are pricey, but at the same time you get what you pay for:

* They’ve invested in developing their product. Medical-grade skincare brands choose to funnel their budgets into research and development to improve their products, and not into advertising like OTC.

* They’re highly effective in comparison to OTC.

* You’ll apply less of it. As mentioned, these products contain ingredients with higher concentrations so they’ll penetrate deeper into your dermis. Due to their effectiveness, you’ll need to use less of product to get results