Most consumers are not aware that there is a difference between over the counter and professional skincare. Especially with social media and TV commercials bombarding us with skincare and routines. Celebrities and influencers seem to have all the answers to what you should or should not use for your skin. Here you go, running out to by what they recommend because their skin looks so good. What we are forget here is that they are wearing tons of makeup and have professionals airbrushing, altering. We know that there skin’s appearance in a photo is not reality. Yet, we fall for it every time. Call it good marketing, but it comes from a lack of education.

Your esthetician uses their eyes, has the tools to look deeper into your skin. They see every pore, fine line, wrinkle, imperfection, pigmentation, vein, hair, mole, and so on. They scrutinize your skin from miles away and know exactly what regimen to put you on. What we need to understand about skincare is there is not a one size fits all. What works for one person, even a celebrity, may or may not work for you.

So why are so many celebrities creating over the counter lines when they probably don’t even use over the counter products?

What is considered “over the counter”?

Over the counter products are created for mass marketing. The general public. Most are not backed by science. Though their ingredients are FDA approved and you'll see the formulations mimic those of professional, luxury, and physician grade lines, OTC skincare tends to be less effective than professional skincare. Why are they less effective if they are so similar? The formulations in OTC skincare products are generally lower in percentage. Which means the efficacy is not meant for long term. If you found a product that allowed you to stop buying more products, most of these companies would be out of business. Lower formulations are prioritized so you continue to change what you’re using often. Buying more of their products. What you will also begin to notice with over the counter is inconsistent results. After some time, you will no longer see changes in the skin. Or you will begin to react to the product.

Why professional skincare is important

With professional skincare, the chemical formulation and ingredients work together in harmony. This creates longevity in the product itself as well as using less with better results. Clients will have a single product for more weeks to months vs. replacing an OTC product every four weeks. Professional skincare may seem pricier at the start, but it is more cost effective and sustainable in the long run.

Professional grade is also backed by science. It falls under the category of cosmeceutical. What that means is you cannot get these products from a retail store. You have to get them from a verified retailer. So, if you find professional skincare on Amazon, RUN! It could be a dupe, expired, and even repackaged to resemble what you think you are purchasing. What we are looking for in skincare brands are clinical case studies that show proven, effective results. Professional lines will have this scientific backing and will have gone through more rigorous testing with the FDA.

For example, Cetaphil is a very popular over the counter brand. You will notice that dermatologists will often recommend this line. Especially when they have patients on prescription strength topical drugs. The logic is, Cetaphil will not hinder, interrupt, or cause any harm to the skin. It will not contraindicate the prescription. Now, take a professional product like PCA. You may not even need the prescription from the dermatologist because of the formulation. PCA facilitates change in the skin. Within days to weeks clients will see a difference. In the beginning, using professional grade skincare will take some time to adjust. If you used to using over the counter you may not experience any changes in your skin until weeks of using it. The changes are often very subtle and unnoticeable to the consumer. By that time you would notice, you have likely had to replenish your stock costing you more in the short term. In the case of professional skincare you may experience some mild irritation. Flaking, dry skin, breakouts, and increased pigmentation. These responses are actually normal when treating the skin depending on what we are trying to do. This is why customization by a licensed professional is critical. An esthetician can guide you through the response and the changes in the skin. And can adjust your routine as they find the right products for your skin. What we don’t want to see ever... extreme redness, swelling, blistering, allergic reactions like hives, pus, blood, or infection. When a licensed professional sees your skin, they are curating a regimen that is designed for you and your needs.

So, should you gift professional skincare as a holiday gift?

Estheticians agree that the holidays are a great time for anyone to become familiar with professional skincare. But it’s not recommended for professional skincare to given by someone that is not licensed. The reason is, you don’t know what the true skin of that person is like. You could be recommending products that may have active ingredients that irritate the skin without supervision. You’ll always need a professional to guide you.

Each person is unique in their skin, like our fingerprints. This is why there are so many product lines available. The right products and consistency, you and your loved ones will see results. Making adjustments will be necessary as the seasons change and as the age of the person changes. Nothing in our body or lives stays the same and we do need to make adjustments in skincare. Constant evaluation is needed. Professional skincare is adaptable long term.

Here are some esthetician approved skincare gifts...

In conclusion, with the guidance of a professional, skincare as a holiday gift is a thumb’s up!