High-Quality Skincare Products vs Drugstore. Does it really matter?

The skincare business has erupted in the last decade, more so than any other aspect of the beauty industry. In 2021 alone, skincare product sales increased by 13% in the US, while makeup only increased by 1%. In only 6 years, the global skincare market is predicted to reach a whopping 145.82 billion USD, 47 billion USD higher than in 2020.

Now available are products marketed for every category of skin type and ailment. Store aisles are lined with bottles and pumps marketed with the promise of flawless skin, but how do you know what’s truly in these products, and if those claims are truly accurate?

The formulation in over-the-counter (OTC) products are often weak, and although they may contain trace levels of active ingredients, they are filled with other synthetic chemical ingredients that minimize their benefit and may even pose harm to your health.

The US FDA’s laws are loose compared to other countries such as the UK when it comes to regulating what chemicals can go into skincare. Despite the rapidly booming industry, the FDA’s regulations on skincare products have not changed since 1938.

A 2,300-subject study by the non-profit, health advocacy Environmental Working Group (EWG), revealed that American women use an average of 12 cosmetic products per day (with about 168 different ingredients), and the average man uses 6 products per day (about 85 different ingredients).

Takeaway: What we put on our skin matters.

While the UK has over 1300 ingredients banned for cosmetic product use, the US only has 11 banned chemicals. Studies have shown many chemicals found in the large selection of products lining store shelves to be toxic in animal and human studies.

In a list of more than 12,000 industrial synthetic chemical ingredients used frequently in cosmetics, less than 20% have been considered safe to use. The other 80% have been seen to be allergenic, carcinogenic, bio-accumulative, mutagenic chemicals, and/ or endocrine disruptors.

For instance, any face wash you have that “foams” likely has sodium lauryl sulfate, a toxic ingredient originally manufactured as an industrial degreaser. SLS has been found in over 90% of personal care products, especially in those used to treat acne. However, because its purpose is to uplift oil, it disrupts your face’s natural hydration layer, and may further worsen acne symptoms. When SLS combines with other common chemicals used in skincare products, it becomes carcinogenic to the kidneys and liver.

More harmful ingredients hidden in skin care include: 

• Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)
• Ethanolamines (EAs)
• Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing agents (like Quaternium-15 which is often in makeup to make it last longer)
• Fragrances
• Hydroquinone
• Oxybenzone
• Parabens
• PEG compounds (ethylene glycol-containing compounds)
• Petroleum (“mineral oil,” “petrolatum,” “paraffin oil”
• Phthalates
• PPD/ P-phenylenediamine (Coal tar)
• Silicone-derived Emollients
• Sulfates
• Triclosan and Triclocarban

My Products never contain any hidden ingredients or chemicals. Additionally, my products are:

1. Potent. Their high concentration of active ingredients packs the most punch. A little can go a long way when my products are formulated to optimize benefit, skin absorption, and wear throughout the day.

For instance, my Sustenance serum contains not just any green tea extract, but Epigallocatechin Gallate (ECGC) –– the most biologically active form.

2. Stable. Through the beauty industry’s long history of chemical use, the idea that products can last months to years has been normalized. However, active ingredients have a shelf life. Vitamin C is the best example, as it easily oxidizes when exposed to air, light, and heat. Although many products may contain small amounts of vitamin C, unless it is in an airtight container or pump, they likely won’t deliver the amazing antioxidant properties of Vitamin C.

3. Easily Absorbed. OTC products have synthetic additives that can’t penetrate beyond the topmost layer of the skin. Although they may appear to give you an instant dewy glow, the effect is mostly superficial and will wear off. It’s estimated that water-based products can be made of 70 – 90% water to dilute active ingredients and fill a bottle, which is why a simple hyaluronic acid serum may range anywhere from $7- $300. Skincare products are not created equal.

Our skin’s barrier is designed to prevent absorption. I work with my high-quality laboratory team to ensure that my products have hydrophilic and lipophilic properties and low molecular weight. This allows them to penetrate the stratum corneum, the skin barrier, without clogging your pores.

An effective product pairs ingredients that amplify each other’s effects, offering the skin optimum nourishment. That is why in all my products, the ingredients have been particularly selected to deliver the most benefit. For instance, in my Sustenance serum, I pair lactic acid with vitamin C, as lactic acid improves absorption, increases Vitamin C’s antioxidant properties, and adds an element of hydration.

4. Premium Quality. I work with the highest quality lab to make sure my products are produced in the cleanest, safest, and most regulated facilities. My manufacturers are US based, and they only work with board-certified physicians. The ingredients and combinations in my products are backed by a series of clinical trials and peer-reviewed studies that have additionally been recommended by doctors for years. I would never recommend anything that I didn’t swear by myself.

Why Choose My Products?

It has never been so important to invest in your skincare regimen. In an industry growing faster than safety regulations can keep up, prioritizing the quality of your personal care products is essential. My products are safe, of the utmost quality, and most importantly, are formulated to deliver their promised benefit.

Skincare products have had a greater impact on our overall health than we ever thought possible.

There are so many skincare products on the market, it is hard to know what to choose. That is why I’ve developed a medical-grade skincare line with ingredients scientifically researched and made to deliver benefits worth your money.

Browse our full skincare line on our Products Page, and book a consultation with one of our skilled staff members today at 1-201-505-1020