Prescription-Strength Skin Care Products vs Over-the-Counter Products

Medical Grade Products at Rejuvenus Clinic.

One of the biggest challenges of picking the right skincare line for your face is choosing from amongst all the products available. It seems as though everywhere you turn, there’s a new skincare line that promises to heal all of your biggest complexion woes. From hyperpigmentation and acne to dry skin and fine lines, walking into popular skincare destinations like Sephora can be an overwhelming experience. How can you pick the right product for your needs? How can you be sure that they’ll even work?

At Rejuvenus Clinic of Aesthetics in Toronto, is pleased to provide clients with the guidance and recommendations they need to select the right skincare line that will tackle their toughest skin complaints.

Here are Rejuvenus Clinic’s recommendations regarding prescription skincare vs. non-prescription skincare products:

THERE ARE PLENTY OF EFFECTIVE SKINCARE PRODUCTS THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR PATIENTS AT A VARIETY OF HIGH-END STORES; HOWEVER, ONE OF THE DANGERS OF USING NON-PRESCRIPTION SKINCARE IS THAT YOU’RE THE ONE DOING THE SELECTING. YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO MAKE THE BEST PURCHASING DECISION, WHICH MEANS YOU MIGHT BE SUFFERING FROM YOUR SKIN WOES AS WELL AS AN EMPTY WALLET.

USING A SKINCARE LINE THAT’S PROVIDED BY A PHYSICIAN IS FAR MORE LIKELY TO BE HIGHLY TARGETED AND EFFECTIVE, AS A PHYSICIAN CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH THE EXACT INFORMATION YOU NEED TO MAKE THE BEST PRODUCT CHOICE. THIS MEANS THAT IT’S LESS LIKELY YOU’LL SPEND HUNDREDS – EVEN THOUSANDS – OF DOLLARS BEFORE FINDING THE RIGHT SKINCARE PRODUCT FOR YOUR NEEDS.

PHYSICIAN-DISPENSED SKINCARE PRODUCTS ARE OFTEN MUCH MORE POWERFUL THAN THOSE AVAILABLE OVER-THE-COUNTER. SKINCARE PRODUCTS THAT ARE AVAILABLE OVER-THE-COUNTER ARE OFTEN IDEAL FOR PEOPLE WHO AREN’T SUFFERING FROM MAJOR SKIN PROBLEMS LIKE ACNE, HYPERPIGMENTATION, WRINKLES, AND MORE. IF YOU HAVE A MORE SERIOUS SKIN COMPLAINT, IT’S BEST TO GET THE ADVICE OF A DERMATOLOGIST OR PHYSICIAN WHO CAN HELP YOU IDENTIFY THE RIGHT SKINCARE LINE YOU NEED.

PHYSICIANS WILL OFTEN BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH MORE ACCURATE ADVICE THAN AN ASSOCIATE AT A BEAUTY DEPARTMENT, WHO OFTEN MAKE COMMISSIONS BASED ON THEIR SALES.

At Rejuvenus Clinic of Aesthetics, we are proud to offer the Vivier, ZO Skin Health, Skinceutical, Alumier MD, and many more, the ultimate answers to your biggest skin woes. Call us to schedule a consultation to learn more about which Medical Grade Products will help treat your skin issues (647)615-0223.

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What is Medical Grade Skincare?

Medical grade skincare is often referred to as cosmeceutical skincare because it specifically aims to treat certain conditions like fine lines, wrinkles, and acne. Also, it contains higher concentrations of active ingredients than what you’d find in over-the-counter skincare products.

These ingredients are also tested and proven to be effective for different needs and that’s why you typically see better results. This category of products has both medicinal and cosmetic benefits. However, you do not need a prescription from a physician to buy these products.

What’s the Difference between Medical Grade and OTC (Over-the-counter) Skincare Products?

The main difference between the two is that medical grade skincare products have active ingredients that OTC brands may have but at higher strengths and in forms that are more stable, so they won’t breakdown quickly. Usually, these products are available in doctors’ offices and medical aesthetics clinics, but online shopping has increased accessibility to them.

Most companies that manufacture medical grade skincare products carry out extensive research and have clinical studies on the effectiveness of the ingredients that they use and will use only pure ingredients (99%). OTC lines don’t abide by these standards.

OTC products have mass appeal and are designed to cater to the masses – one size fits all, need I say more! They also contain more fillers than active ingredients. Some mainstream brands claim their retinol serum or night cream can transform skin, but usually there are such minute amounts of active ingredients in a sea of synthetically derived additives.

Looking at medical grade products, we see that they are tailored to skin type and skin concerns. The ingredients are specially designed to be highly stable, so they degrade slowly which increases the effectiveness of the products and helps them to last longer. Additionally, many of the ingredients are also engineered in a way that allows them to penetrate deeper into the skin.

TO SUMMARIZE THE DIFFERENCES…

1. BACKED BY RESEARCH

Reputable brands of medical grade skincare products invest money into R&D, so their results speak for themselves. Therefore they may not be as well known if you’re not familiar with the industry. Their products are results-driven and go through rigorous research, testing, and clinical trials conducted by professional skincare experts and appear in peer-reviewed medical journals.

2. BEST ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

Medical grade products often contain premium active ingredients like pharmaceutical drugs that your doctor might prescribe – think retinol. This is a type of vitamin A–derived retinoid is frequently used in formulating cosmetic and skincare treatment products to reduce the appearance of blemishes, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Unlike typical OTC products, medical grade products contain safe, wholesome, and high-quality active ingredients at higher concentrations which are effective and target specific skin concerns. They’re safe for any skin type, particularly sensitive skin.

3. BETTER FORMULATION AND USER EXPERIENCE

Medical grade brands have better formulations and clients enjoy using them. They have nice scents; they glide on smoothly and aren’t sticky or goopy. You feel good using them and feel great when you see the results!

4. BETTER VALUE FOR MONEY

You get what you pay for! Pay a little more to get a premium skincare brand that will actually manage or treat acne and other skin problems. Medical grade skincare brands are cost-effective and help you save in the long run. They are more potent so you don’t have to use a lot which means that even if you spend more, you use less and the product(s) will last longer even if you incorporate it into your everyday skincare routine.

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Skincare Product Quality Over Quantity

We can’t stress this enough even though you’ve all heard this a million times before! But, with medical grade skincare products, you get QUALITY! And a little also goes a long way – you don’t need to use a whole palm full of lotion to get the same result – a little dab will do ya’!

WHY? Higher concentration of active ingredients (hyaluronic acid, growth factors, peptides, acids, retinols, antioxidants, etc.) are uniquely designed to penetrate the deeper levels of the skin, exfoliate, promote the growth of healthy skin cells and proteins like collagen and elastin.

The Best Medical-Grade Skincare Brands

If you’re ready to take the leap and switch to medical grade skincare products – have a look at some of our favorites below.

VIVIER

Vivier is a Canadian pharmaceutical grade skincare brand. It’s backed by science and meets the highest standards of quality and purity; every formulation is potent. Their products have unique technologies built into them to ensure you achieve optimal results.

From unique intradermal systems for product penetration into the deepest layers of the skin to microencapsulated slow-release formulations, these products work hard so you don’t have to for great skin.

ZO SKIN HEALTH

ZO Skin Health's award-winning skincare innovations are at the forefront of the industry, featuring cutting-edge products and treatments. These offerings are powered by proprietary technologies, unique delivery systems, bioengineered complexes, and advanced medical-grade formulations, all dedicated to enhancing skin health.

COLORESCIENCE

Colorescience has garnered the respect of skincare experts across the globe. Embracing 100% mineral sunscreen, cosmetics, and scientifically proven treatments, these celebrated innovations consistently care for and safeguard your skin every day.

SKINMEDICA

SkinMedica stands at the forefront of a skincare revolution, redefining the landscape of age-defying skincare through a rigorous commitment to science and innovation. The essence of SkinMedica lies in the personalized beauty experience it offers—a holistic approach known as the SkinMedica Method.

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The Takeaway (or The Bottom Line)

While it’s fun to peruse the skincare aisles of your favorite beauty store, medical grade skincare products may be for you if you’re looking for proven and effective active ingredients at a higher concentration in your skincare products.

Before buying though, consult with a physician to ensure you buy the product(s) that are best for your skin type and concerns.

FAQs – Medical Grade Skincare vs OTC

Does medical grade skincare require a prescription from a doctor?

Medical grade skincare products don’t require a prescription from a doctor. However, there are some medical grade skincare lines, such as ZO Skin Health or Vivier, that sell medical-grade skincare products where some of their products do require a prescription. For example, their Tretinoin does require a prescription from a doctor, but you can purchase a less potent, effective medical grade Obagi retinol without a prescription.

Where can you buy medical-grade skincare?

Usually, you would buy medical grade skincare at your doctor or dermatologist’s office. It’s always best to discuss which products are best for your skin issues with your doctor. You can also purchase these products online. However, buy from reputable sites, like ours, the brand’s official website, or the online shop affiliated with your physician.

How do you know if a skincare line is medical grade?

At times, it might be hard to determine if a skincare line is medical grade, especially online. Medical grade skincare lines must have clinical research to back up their claims of the reported benefits. The best way to ensure a line is medical grade is to ask your doctor or dermatologist and find out which products they recommend. Then, you can find a reputable online store, such as ours, the brand’s official website or your medi-spa or doctor’s online shop.

Elevate Your Skin Health with Premium Skincare and Schedule a Consultation with Rejuvenus Clinic in Toronto

Unlock the potential of your skin with our exclusive selection of medical-grade skincare products. At Rejuvenus Clinic,, we are proud to offer leading brands like ZO Skin Health, SkinCeuticals, Vivier, and Skinmedica. These products are designed to provide superior results compared to over-the-counter alternatives, targeting specific skin issues with scientifically-backed ingredients. Whether you're addressing aging, sun damage, acne, or sensitive skin, our medical-grade skincare products can help you achieve and maintain optimal skin health.

During your consultation, our physicians will take the time to understand your concerns, evaluate your needs and discuss your goals with you. They will help you determine the best treatment plan for you and create a personalized treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs.

Our clinic uses the latest technologies and techniques to provide safe, effective and natural-looking results. We take great pride in our commitment to patient safety, and we make sure to go the extra mile to ensure that our patients are satisfied with the results.

Don't settle for less than the best. Schedule a consultation with our team of expert providers at Rejuvenus Clinic today and experience the benefits of personalized treatments with a computerized skin analysis. Let us help you achieve your cosmetic goals in a safe and effective way.

You can find Prescription-Strength Skin Care Products / Medical Grade Skincare at Rejuvenus Clinic:

3130 Bathurst St.

Suite 203, Toronto

ON, M6A 2A1

P: 647.615.0223

Or visit them online at https://www.rejuvenusclinic.ca and book your appointment today!