BEAUTY
The Real Difference Between Medical-Grade Skincare And OTC Products
By ALIA HOYT
Skin issues don’t go away over time, rather they change — from oily and acne-prone skin in your teens and 20s, to wrinkles and thin skin in your 40s and 50s. While there are countless medical-grade and over-the-counter skincare products to manage your skin problems, knowing how they differ can help you narrow down your options.
Medical-grade products are much more expensive than OTC products because they contain a higher concentration of the active ingredient, according to plastic surgeon Dr. Adam H. Hamawy. Medical-grade skincare also typically has better-quality active ingredients and less filler ingredients than OTC products.
As pharmaceutical products, medical-grade skincare is strictly regulated by the Food & Drug Administration, whereas OTC products don’t have any such requirements. This means that you can buy OTC products at any number of retail establishments, but medical-grade products can only be purchased at dermatology offices or online.