Why Clinical Skincare VS. Drugstore Skincare

What is clinical skincare? What’s the difference between the two? Here’s what you need to know about clinical skincare vs drugstore skincare to make the best choices.

Clinical Skincare vs Drugstore?

What's the difference?

Clinical skincare gives you visible results. At the drugstore, you can find a basic face wash, a moisturizer and a regular SPF - well suited to maintain, but that's it. Basically, ineffectual for changing the appearance of your skin. It's like flapping your arms, instead of taking that flight.

Clinical Skincare

First, clinical skincare formulas have active ingredients with proven efficacy. Usually, there's lots of published scientific research behind them. Second, those ingredients are at high concentrations to deliver visible benefits. When you think of clinical skincare think of ingredients like retinol / retinoids, antioxidants, peptides, exfoliating acids, and SPFs. Note, the key is in the concentration of the ingredients.

Drugstore Products

Products from the drugstore have low levels of active skincare ingredients. Drugstore brands usually will not tell you how much of the active ingredient is in the product. Instead, you will find at the bottom of the ingredient list (ingredients are ordered from highest to lowest percentage). This makes the products have very little effect on your skin. Even if you are not spending much, you are not getting much either.

Ingredients and Value

Here are five main ingredient categories that make clinical skincare effective.

Retinoids - Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives. They play a major role in skin cell turnover, and in collagen production. Collagen makes your skin bouncy and fluffy.

Acids - Acids exfoliate your skin. They include names salicylic acid and glycolic acid. Acids are one of the most effective exfoliators, but also one of the most under used ingredients.

Antioxidants - Antioxidants are top anti-aging ingredients. They repair sun damage after it has happened. Antioxidants include vitamin C, vitamin E, and niacinamide.

Peptides - Peptides are not a single ingredient. They are a bunch of ingredients that do different things. Peptides are derived by scientists. They are a chain of proteins that tell your skin to do different stuff. Example, one type of peptide tells your skin to loosen up the muscles, softening the appearance of wrinkles and lines. Another peptide works to slow down the skin’s natural breakdown of collagen.

SPFs - Sun protection factors. 80% of skin aging is due to sun exposure. Wrinkles. Dark spots. Sagging. Loss of collagen. SPF is your best friend. Use it daily, rain or shine.

- Acids exfoliate your skin. They include names salicylic acid and glycolic acid. Acids are one of the most effective exfoliators, but also one of the most under used ingredients.

Antioxidants - Antioxidants are top anti-aging ingredients. They repair sun damage after it has happened. Antioxidants include vitamin C, vitamin E, and niacinamide.

SPFs - Sun protection factors. 80% of skin aging is due to sun exposure. Wrinkles. Dark spots. Sagging. Loss of collagen. SPF is your best friend. Use it daily, rain or shine.

All Open Formula products use only clinically proven active ingredients at the most beneficial concentrations.

Here is an example. Based on research, our Vitamin C serum contains the right amount of pure L-ascorbic acid – the most potent form of Vitamin C. And with a concentration of 20% L-ascorbic acid, it optimizes the skin’s absorption of the product. This serum uses a pH of 3.5, ideal for skin penetration. And by adding Ferulic acid, the Vitamin C remains stable longer.

The Value: Does clinical skincare have to cost more?

No, clinical skincare doesn't have to cost more. Open Formula is committed to providing affordable clinical skincare to everyone. Our prices reflect this.Whether you are paying off student loans. Or you have a Cayman bank account.

Open Formula believes "quality" is not defined by packaging. Or price. Or where you shop. But instead by the ingredients inside. And their concentrations.

Looking to build a skincare routine with clinical grade products? Let's get started. >>