Professional Skin Care vs. Brand Name Over-the-Counter

I seen an episode a few years ago on 20/20 or inside edition, one or the other, doing a story on facials and skin care products. Investigating if they really work or just a gimmick. They interviewed a Dermatologist who had the audacity to tell the public that the skin doesn't absorb, hence that skin care products and facials really don't work. I was irate lol. My husband had to calm me down. We'll, when you know a thing or two about the skin you know that the skin has a respiratory system and inhales oxygen and exhales toxins, as well as absorb nutrients and excretes waste. If our skin could not absorb then how do hormone and nicotine patches work? I rest my case. I guess this Dermatologist didn't want to share his patients with Aestheticians. (Dermatologist specialize in disease and disorder of the skin. Aestheticians specialize in preventative skin care. I guess in a sense we keep you from having to go to the doctor.)

With the right products that are pH balanced, nutrient rich, free of fillers and artificial ingredients, and that contain skin compatible oils, we all can have amazing skin. Many of us have really good skin care habits, but use the wrong products. And we just don't know any better.

Let me give you a quick lesson on Over-the-counter products or OTC products for short. These are products you can purchase at a pharmacy, grocery store, or mall. OTC products are sold by sales associates not licensed professionals. The extent of their licensing is a demonstration license, which says that they have the states permission to apply products on a customer. It's twenty bucks and you don't even have to take a test. Yikes, do the make up counter girls know about safety and sanitation to keep you from everyone elses germs?

OTC products contain fillers, artificial colors and fragrances,minimal active ingredient, and not synergistically blended. They are selling you advertising, sex appeal and pretty packaging. Many if not all OTC products contain mineral oil. Mineral oil is NOT skin compatible. The molecules are to big and will not penetrate the skin. This ingredient stays in the pores, causing black heads, breakout, premature aging, and/or dull skin. Mineral oil is a bi product of the petroleum industry. It is occlusive and doesn't allow the skin to function normally, restricting it's respiratory system and its ability to absorb. Did you know if you cover your entire body with body paint you could die from asphyxiation? It's true. An actress, I want to say in the 40's or 50's, was painted gold for a scene in a movie, and she suffocated to death. Major skin care companies use mineral oil because its a cheap lubricant, not because its good for the skin. Putting nut oils, avocado oil, grape seed, jojoba oils or an other natural oils that the skin recognizes, would cost too much and raise the price of manufacturing. Let face it skin care is big business. No pun intended. Sadly, now that the general public has become more aware of this ingredient, the sneaky skin care companies have change this word in hopes that you will not recognise it. This new word is petrolatum.

Professional products on the other hand do contain skin compatible oils, they are nutrient rich, contain higher levels of active ingredients, and are packaged correctly. Professional Products are represented by Aestheticians, and many of them were even created by Aestheticans. That's why you can't find professional products just anywhere. (My last post explains what an Aesthetician is.) This means that the product she endorses is a product she chooses to represent because of what is will do for your skin. An Aestheticans reputation is on the line. Her goal is to make you a life long client not sell you something and never see you again. She will give you her honest recommendation on skin care products that are right for you. She knows products inside and out and has the knowledge to prescribe a regimen that will benefit you and produce results.

Most professional products contain less no fillers and artificial ingredients. They also contain higher concentrates of active ingredients. A professional product is geared to be result oriented not just a pretty package. If you compare Oil of Olay moisturizer to any BioElements moisturizer you will see a significant difference. The ingredients that are good for your skin are listed first on the label of the professional product and last on the OTC product. You can do that with any major OTC brand. Yes, even Estee Lauder and Clinique that we have used so faithfully, compared to a professional product would prove to be inadequate. Did you know that a product can contain one drop of vitamin c and claim to be a vitamin c cream? So, here we are believing we are using the exquisite jar of nutrient rich anti-oxidant, yet it's packaged incorrectly (v-c is venerable to light and air) and hardly contains the "active" ingredient in the first place. We're just putting on very expensive lard. No wonder our skin looks dull.

Price is often a concern and causes people to hesitate purchasing professional products. However, professional products are concentrated which makes it last longer. A typical repurchase of OTC products is two to one over professional products. My cleanser by BioElement last me 6 months and so does my moisturizer. My toner last me about three months. Back in the day before I was an Aesthetician I used OTC products too. My skin was dull and I never received complements about it. I had to repurchase my products monthly. Once I learned what I'm sharing with you, my skin change! Ever since I've receive complements about my skin. People don't believe I'm 30. Sure professional products might cost a fraction more, but in the long run your skin looks better, is healthier, and you essential spend less since you don't have to replace them as often.

The secret to great skin is great products. The secret to a car running properly is good fuel. There are many great professional skin care lines available. One of my favorites is BioElements that I mentioned earlier. This was my product of choice when I was in the field. I've witnessed drastic results; from women just using the right cleanser, toner, moisturizer! Women who had suffered from a ruddy skin most their life, now have even completions. Individuals with acne that had tried everything, now have beautiful smooth healthy skin. And I've seen women go from sever premature wrinkling to younger looking skin, without surgery, harsh treatments or botox.

In my opinion the benefits of professional skin care out weighs those of brand name OTC products. As I teach my children to care for the largest organ of their body; the skin. I will teach them to bypass the propaganda of advertising, be smart about ingredients, and to purchase their skin care products from a licenced professional.