Investing in your skin may be common knowledge, but what to be mindful of when doing so may not be. Here are a few of our tips to consider when investing in skincare.
Treating the Condition vs. the Symptoms
If you have the flu (and we are not talking about COVID-19, just the normal flu) there is medication available to purchase without consulting a doctor. These medications treat the symptoms and often it does work, although when an illness has advanced, consulting a doctor and receiving prescription medication may be the only option.
Skincare works exactly the same.
It is more convenient popping into a retail store and choosing a skincare brand that looks aesthetically pleasing straight off the counter, but will it necessarily deliver the results you deserve?
Skincare can be divided into three categories: Over The Counter (OTC) products, cosmeceuticals and pharmaceuticals.
OTC’s refer to the majority of skincare products with the least active ingredients, which means it works on the outer layer of the skin.
Cosmeceuticals contain a higher percentage of active ingredients that penetrate deeper through the epidermis to the dermis where your collagen, elastin and new skin cells can be found.
To be classified as pharmaceutical-grade skincare, products must contain 99.9% pure ingredients. Approximately only 5% of skincare products are considered pharmaceutical-grade and most of them are available only through a prescription from a dermatologist, plastic surgeon or licensed skin professional. Pharmaceutical products work with the subcutaneous tissue layer in the skin.
Just remember, if you can buy it in store without a consultation, it does not contain many active ingredients and probably would not be as effective as desired.
“Clean Beauty”
There is no standard definition for “clean beauty” provided by any regulatory or health institution. In general, “clean beauty” is referred to as products made without ingredients shown or suspected to harm human health.
Is it just a fad?
We truly hope not. The fact that consumers are becoming more aware of what ingredients are actually being used to formulate their skincare products, is the step in the right direction. Technology has advanced, enough for skincare companies to raise their standards and pasting the word “Natural” on the label, does not cut it anymore. (Did you know, poison ivy is also ‘Natural’)
One cannot rely on authority to implement “clean beauty” as many toxic ingredients are still legal, but to rely on your own investigation and your subjective views on the matter.
Consultation is Queen
“It looks like I have boils all over my face.”
Most of us have a skincare concern, but we are not knowledgeable enough to pin point it to the actual name, even less informed on what ingredients should be in your particular skincare regime.
Before investing in a skincare brand, visit a professional skincare clinic to determine your skin type and any skin concerns you may have.
Self-diagnosis can be dangerous.
Pregnancy Safe
So, you are twenty-one now and having children is the last thing on your mind. But buying into a skincare range, is almost like getting into a relationship: it just might work, and you may be in it for the long run. One day when you do fall pregnant, you wouldn’t want to change your skincare range for nine months, if you could prevent it.
Do research on skincare brands that are safe to use while pregnant and nursing.
Animal Friendly
Once again, this is a subjective view.
Even though many skincare companies can proudly say that they are ‘cruelty-free’, animal testing in the industry is still a reality. As the term ‘cruelty-free’ is not so clearly defined by the law, it can be difficult to establish whether animals were harmed in the making of a product. Conscious brand decision-making by consumers may be the only option to change this.
Don’t buy into the hype
A sponsored post by one of your favourite influencers shouldn’t hold too much weight when selecting what’s good for your skin. Don’t get us wrong: a recommendation and advice is always something to take into consideration, but what works for you will always be the most reliable indicator of what brand to invest in.
Minimalist? No problem.
Your mom wasn’t crazy when she made you wash your face every morning.
When you are ever in doubt, start with a basic cleanser. Without cleansing, your skin would be covered with a thick layer of dirt and grime (often not even visible to the human eye), which then lead to other skincare concerns. We want to nip that in the butt as soon as possible. Consider a three(or even four)-in-one cleanser. A multi-tasker that does it all in one cleanse.
You Don’t Need Fifteen Products
We are living in a fast-paced world and finding the time each day to apply an unreasonable number of products is unrealistic. Find a skincare brand that multi-tasks: each product addresses multiple concerns. Historically, a variety of products were needed to treat a concern like pigmentation, but with the advancements of technology and information traveling just became a whole lot easier.
As a brand, iS CLINICAL is dedicated to enriching overall skin health with scientifically advanced, clinically proven formulas. iS CLINICAL products are not tested on animals. Except for ethically sourced honey, no animal-derived ingredients are used in iS CLINICAL products.
All iS CLINICAL retail products are botanically based, non-systemic, formulations. These potent botanical (pharmaceutical grade) ingredients are gentle but effective and do not get absorbed and cross into the blood system – making our products considered safe during pregnancy and nursing. We always recommend consulting with your skincare professional or physician prior to introducing a new routine or product.