So what’s the difference between a $20 moisturizer and a $95 moisturizer…a $7 cleanser and a $50 cleanser? IS there really even a difference? The answer is yes.
There are two grades of skincare products: over the counter (OTC) and clinical or professional, both of which are required to meet standards set by the FDA, however, they are very different in many ways.
Preservatives & Fillers
Over the counter products are formulated to last through the VERY lengthy process of manufacturing, warehouse storage, and national/international distribution. Once an OTC product arrives at Walmart, Target, Sephora, Nordstrom, CVS, etc., who knows how long it will be sitting on the shelf – or in backstock. Because of this, OTC products have to be filled with a high level of preservatives and fillers so they are able to last for years and years. Many of the preservatives used in the products we use are toxic to our bodies and damage our cells – like parabens.
Production
Professional products are made in small batches, while over the counter products are mass produced. Small batch production allows professional skincare companies to have more control over the product and its potency, as well as to maintain the integrity of the ingredients in their products.
Active Ingredients
Professional skincare products are made with the intention of being recommended and used under professional supervision, while OTC products are made for consumers who are generally not working with a skincare professional and are self-diagnosing. This allows professional products to be produced with higher levels of active ingredients. Active ingredients are the compounds found in products that achieve actual results, but can cause irritation if they are not used properly. This is too large of a risk for OTC skincare manufacturers, so they must produce products with far lower levels of active ingredients to ensure that their is minimal risk
Chiral Correctness
We are going to get a little scientific here, so bear with us. “Chiral” is an adjective used in chemistry, defined as; “asymmetric in such a way that the structure and its mirror image are not superimposable”. Molecules have two sides, a right side, represented by the letter “D” and a left side, represented by the letter “L”. A real world example is feet. You have a right foot, and a left foot. Your right shoe will not fit correctly on your left foot – and molecules are just the same. When it comes to molecules and skin, one side of the molecule provides great benefits, while the other can create irritation. Professional product manufacturers go to great lengths to ensure that their products are chirally correct – meaning that they isolate the side of the molecule that provides the benefit, and leave out the part that can be problematic.
Pure Vanity Skincare is produced locally, in small batches. Not only does Pure Vanity Skincare contain numerous active ingredients to help our clients achieve and maintain healthy skin, our products are also guaranteed to contain the highest effective dosage of those ingredients. Our products are also backed by white papers, meaning that the active ingredients have been extensively researched and clinically proven to work and achieve the results that they are claimed to. We take pride in providing our clients with the highest quality, most effective products, at the most affordable price. In your search for your perfect skincare regiment, watch out for luxury brands and celebrity endorsements presenting over the counter skincare as more effective, or better and at lofty prices; and watch out for harmful ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, dyes and fragrances.