Pharmacy skincare or over-the-counter products?

Dr Mikki, a dermatologist takes a deep dive on what products you should go with and why...

Bengaluru: Over the last couple of years, we have seen a rise in awareness about skincare and the emergence of ‘skinfluencers’ on social media. We have also seen cosmetic companies launching new products in the market that claim to treat various skin concerns effectively.

Cosmetic grade products come in different levels of quality. These over-thecounter products contain ‘active ingredients’ which is one of their main selling points.

Active ingredients refer to the formulation of chemical ingredients used in the right concentration to target certain concerns when used topically on the skin. Pharmaceutical-grade products on the other hand are sold as medicines and are come under the purview of regulatory bodies like the FDA.

They have strict quality checks and formulations that need to adhere to. Pharmaceutical-grade products normally contain stronger active ingredient formulations when compared to cosmetic-grade products and are usually sold only on a doctor’s prescription. Additionally, pharmaceutical grade products are mandated to mention the exact composition and strength while cosmetic grade products do not have to.

There is therefore a clear distinction between pharmacy skincare products and over-the-counter products. Over the counter products follow a one-size-fits-all approach while pharmacy products are tailor-made to suit each skin type and complaint.

It is advisable to seek the guidance of a dermatologist before using products that contain active ingredients, as a dermatologist would be able to prescribe the right strength of active ingredients for different skin types.

Self-medicating with active ingredients can often do more harm than good if used without proper medical supervision. For example, there have been cases where patients suffer chemical burns after improper and excessive use of chemical exfoliants.

From a different perspective, there is a vast difference in the pricing of pharmaceutical skincare products and cosmetic grade products. Pharmaceutical skincare products are priced much lower in comparison to some popular over the counter cosmetic skincare products.

One of the major reasons for this is because they need to be accessible to a wider section of society and these companies do not spend their revenue on advertising and marketing but rather invest it in the research & development of their formulations.

As the skincare industry gains popularity, we will see more skin-focused brands emerging and even more products introduced into the market. It is important for skincare enthusiasts and those seeking products to address their skincare requirements to focus on getting the right information and knowledge from recognized sources. For example, a consultation with an experienced medical practitioner who has specialized in the field of skincare will have more far-reaching benefits when compared to self-medication based on an online search.

While product recommendations are available on the internet, a dime a dozen, identifying the root cause of a skin complaint should be left to a skincare professional. A parallel can be drawn when it comes to choosing skincare products where skincare professionals would know the best treatment modality for different skin types.