Why professional skincare is the secret to achieving radiant skin
Why professional skincare is the secret to achieving radiant skin
Despite your over-the-counter (OTC) favourites, using a professional skincare range may be the secret ingredient to achieving healthy, radiant skin.
In a world where skincare products line the shelves of every pharmacy and beauty store, it's easy to find the multitude of options confusing. Which are best for your skin? Which can help you achieve your skincare goals?
Despite your over the counter (OTC) favourites, using a professional skincare range may be the secret ingredient to achieving healthy, radiant skin.
Right now, more people than ever are shopping for skincare products based on their active ingredients and specific benefits rather than brand names. Net-A-Porter says that searches for ingredients such as retinol, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and vitamin C are up by 700% since 2020.
Below, we’ll delve into what professional skincare truly means, explore the differences between professional and OTC products, shed light on active ingredients, and highlight why we use Zo Skin Health here at Medikaur.
Understanding professional skincare
Professional skincare isn't just another buzzword; it represents a commitment to your skin's health and vitality using products that are generally superior to OTC options.
Here's what sets them apart:
Quality control - Professional skincare lines tend to be produced in small batches to ensure meticulous quality control. This means that each product undergoes rigorous testing to meet the highest standards of efficacy and safety.
Clinical testing - Extensive clinical testing is a hallmark of professional skincare. These products are put through their paces to ensure they deliver on their promises, making them a reliable choice for consumers.
High-quality ingredients – Most professional skincare products are formulated with premium, high-quality ingredients selected for their proven benefits to the skin. These ingredients tend to be highly stabilised, ensuring that they last longer and maintain their effectiveness for longer.
Higher percentage of active ingredients - The key to their effectiveness also lies in the higher percentage of active ingredients. These potent components address specific skin concerns more effectively than their OTC counterparts.
Expert formulation - Professional skincare products tend to be created by licensed aestheticians and physicians who possess a deep understanding of skin function and health. Using their expertise, they formulate products tailored to meet the unique needs of different skin types and concerns.
pH-adjusted formulas – When your skin’s pH levels are out of balance, it can leave you vulnerable to bacteria and damaging free radicals. Your overall skin health depends on maintaining your skin’s protective barrier, and professional skincare products often contain pH-adjusted ingredients to support this.
Additive-free - You won't find synthetic fragrances or harmful preservatives in professional skincare products.
Why active ingredients are the skin's best friends
When you’re researching professional skincare products, you’ll undoubtedly come across the term “active ingredients” (indeed, we’ve already used it above!)
Active ingredients are the elements in skincare products that deliver the benefits advertised on the label; they’re what makes the formulation effective.
Some common active ingredients include retinol for anti-ageing, hyaluronic acid for hydration, salicylic acid for acne-prone skin, and vitamin C for brightening.
Professional skincare products tend to use medical-grade concentrations/levels of active ingredients, meaning they are often only available through a licensed aesthetician or physician.
A benefit of this is that medical-grade products must have clinical research to back up any claims they make about their benefits.
The limitations of over the counter (OTC) skincare
While there are some excellent OTC skincare products, most have their limitations. Some of the most significant downsides relate to:
Production - OTC skincare products are mass-produced for sale at a low price point to a wide audience, making them readily available and affordable. This means that they’re less suitable for targeting specific skincare needs.
Preservatives - OTC products often contain preservatives to prolong their shelf life, allowing for widespread distribution.
Percentage of active ingredients – In order to be widely available without guidance from an experienced medical professional or on prescription, OTC products typically have a lower concentration of active ingredients, which can limit their effectiveness.
The effectiveness of professional skincare
When it comes to skin health and radiance or tackling specific skin concerns, professional skincare products are usually more effective.
Most professional ranges include products aimed at addressing issues such as wrinkles, dull skin, dryness, uneven skin tone, acne, age spots, and scars. There will also be formulations for your skin type.
Personalised skincare is so important. Before you begin using any professional skincare products, you’ll usually need to attend a consultation where a licensed medical practitioner will learn more about your unique skin type, condition, health, and goals. They’ll then create a treatment plan designed to meet your needs, using the best products for you.
In addition, professional skincare products use ingredients that penetrate far deeper into the skin and work at a cellular level. This can help to reverse problems and give you long-lasting skin health.
Why we use Zo Skin Health at Medikaur
At Medikaur, our professional skincare range of choice is Zo® Skin Health by Dr Zein Obagi. These products regularly appear in the top five of all recommended medical-grade skincare brands.
Dr Obagi is a pioneer in the field of skincare with decades of experience and groundbreaking research to his name. He created Zo® Skin Health to bridge the gap between aesthetic treatments and daily skincare.
All Zo® Skin Health products undergo rigorous scientific testing and are regularly updated to incorporate the latest skincare advancements. Indeed, one of Dr Obagi’s driving principles is that skincare should keep pace with science.
Zo® Skin Health is a medical-grade skincare range, available exclusively through approved specialist skin clinics and used as part of a physician-led skin health management regime.
The products boast a higher concentration of active ingredients, meaning that some are only available on prescription. The formulations allow them to penetrate deeper into the skin, resulting in superior effectiveness. They can also be employed to address medical skin concerns such as rosacea.
We work with six different Zo® Skin Health ranges:
1. Zo® Phase 1: Daily Skincare Program
2. Zo® Phase 2: Anti-Ageing Program
3. Zo® Phase 3: Aggressive Anti-Ageing Program (aggressive towards deeper lines and wrinkles, not your skin!)
4. Zo® Acne Prevention and Treatment Program
5. Zo® Sun Smart
6. Zo® Get Skin Ready System
When you come in for a consultation, we can explore which program would be best for your skincare goals and any issues you want to address.
A commitment to healthier skin
Choosing professional skincare represents a commitment to your skin's long-term health and beauty.
With higher-quality ingredients, expert formulation, and a personalised approach, these products are often more effective than their OTC counterparts. Zo® Skin Health stands as a shining example of excellence in professional skincare, offering innovative solutions for a wide range of skin concerns.
Elevate your skincare routine and experience the transformational power of professional skincare today.