If you are wanting to up your skincare routine or perhaps have found that your current products just don’t produce the results you want, we may have just what you need. At Tampa Bay Cosmetic Surgery Center, we are proud to offer our services to help you on your skincare journey and would like to introduce you to cosmeceuticals. A play on the words pharmaceutical and cosmetics, these products can help you tackle tricky skincare concerns without all the fuss of doctor appointments and prescriptions.
What are Cosmeceuticals?
Cosmeceuticals are medical-grade skincare products that can offer both medicinal and cosmetic benefits, allowing you to treat unwanted blemishes and concerns while refreshing your appearance without a prescription or procedure. Cosmeceutical skincare products are products formulated using medical-grade ingredients to penetrate deeper into your skin and deliver stronger, better results compared to over-the-counter products. They are popular choices in targeting common skincare concerns such as fine lines, dryness, dull texture, acne, scarring, pigmentation, sun damage, and minor signs of aging.
What is an Active Ingredient?
Active ingredients are ingredients added to a product with a specific purpose and have the strength to change the physical structure and workings of your skin. These ingredients are backed by scientific evidence and are proven to have beneficial effects on your skin. Active ingredients are the “heavy hitters” for treating your skincare concerns.
Common active ingredients used in skincare include:
- Antioxidants
- Benzoyl Peroxide
- Glycolic Acid
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Lactic Acid
- Peptides
- Retinol
- Salicylic Acid
- Vitamins
It is important to note that though cosmeceuticals do contain a higher concentration of active ingredients compared to over-the-counter products, they do not contain the same amount as prescription medication and cannot cure skin conditions.
Benefits of Using Cosmeceuticals
One of the biggest benefits is that cosmeceutical products can significantly improve your skin’s appearance and behavior of your skin cells without a trip to the doctor for a prescription. They contain stronger concentrations of medical-grade ingredients that have been tried and tested by science allowing for higher-quality results. Though they can be more expensive, we consider them to be a better value. Due to the higher quality ingredients, you can expect better results that last longer enabling you to spend less money in the long run on these concerns. Instead of spending money experimenting with products, we can help you find the right one suited to your unique needs.
Over-The-Counter VS. Cosmeceutical
The biggest difference between over-the-counter (OTC) products and cosmeceuticals is that over-the-counter products do not penetrate deeply into your skin, they only treat on the surface. They do not contain the right amount of active ingredients to treat concerns. Instead, they work on the surface and remove superficial blemishes whereas cosmeceuticals contain the right amount of active ingredients to change your skin from deep within and produce better healthier skin cells.
Over-the-counter products can be convenient, cheaper, and ideal for those who do not struggle day to day with unwanted skin concerns. Over-the-counter products are designed to suit anyone within a general skin type (oily, dry, or combination). They are also more readily available compared to cosmeceuticals which can only be purchased through licensed skincare professionals to ensure that the products you select are right for your needs and skin. This doesn’t mean that over-the-counter products are bad or do not work, it just means that because they treat concerns superficially they aren’t going to help correct or change your skin condition. They simply don’t have enough strength.
Understanding skincare can be difficult, but we are here to help. During your consultation, we will conduct a thorough examination to determine your skin type and discuss your concerns and desires for treatment. Afterward, we can decide together what products are right for you. For more information on cosmeceuticals and our services or to schedule an appointment, contact our office today at (727) 522-3223.