Cosmeceuticals vs Over the Counter Skincare
I am often asked ‘What’s the difference between the skincare products you sell (cosmeceutical) and the skincare I can buy at major department stores, pharmacies and the supermarket (cosmetic)?'
I’ll start with Cosmetics. This category is the one most of us know and use simply because we do not know any better. They range in price from $5.00 to an extraordinary $300 a product! They feel beautiful (because of high levels of silicone), they smell fabulous (you guessed it, laden with artificial fragrance), and usually contain a minuscule amount of active ingredients. This is done so that they can make outrageous claims of being far more beneficial for your skin than they actually are.
They come in aesthetically pleasing packaging and more often than not endorsed by a PAID A-list celebrity. The majority of these celebrities do not use that product, but are employed because their skin already looks that amazing and their celebrity status will guarantee sales to the novice consumer. A lot of these brands also contain high levels of nasties we talked about last time.
These products are sold over the counter because they are ‘safe’ and really nothing can go wrong, they feel wonderful but have no skin benefit. The large molecular structure of these ingredients, in most cases, can not penetrate the epidermis and just sits on the skins surface until it next comes in contact with water (i.e. the next time you wash your face)
Now for Cosmeceuticals. The name refers to the combination of cosmetic and pharmaceuticals. They contain highly concentrated levels of bio active ingredients such as, Peptides, Vitamin C, AHA’s, BHA and Retinoids just to name a few. With advanced technology and scientifically proven results they absorb through the skin to the dermal level, allowing actual structural changes and cellular reprograming.
Cosmeceuticals can be targeted to treat almost any skin condition such as acne, pigmentation, aging, dehydration and oil control. They can only be sold and prescribed by a qualified skin professional.
Cosmeceuticals are like a work out for your skin and like any new workout at first its going to fatigue your muscles before they begin to build strength. In terms of your skin you may experience some redness or skin tingles as your skin becomes familiar with the active ingredients that are penetrating deep down into the dermis of your skin. This is completely normal as it is part of the restorative powers unleashed on your skin that contain highly active ingredients The active ingredients are doing there job! Just start slowly and build up your regime. You will be thankful.
The dermal layer of the skin is where the action happens. This is where fibroblasts are created, where mitosis happens and where the sebaceous glands are also found. This is where the cells are born and constructed. We want to target this level with active ingredients to make the long lasting changes that will later surface and become visible on the epidermis.
During my time in this industry, I have had the opportunity to use and work with many cosmetic and cosmeceutical lines. I have found 'Epicure Cosmeceutical' products to be one of the industry leaders in results and purity. It has been one brand I have always gone back to using. It is for this reason I have chosen to stock 'Epicure' at Blanco. But it is not the only reason, there are a number:
It is an Australian brand, designed and formulated for Australian conditions.
It is made from pure, active, botanical, Nobel prize winning ingredients that have been formulated in conjunction with some of the world leading cosmetic chemists and dermatologists, scientifically researched and backed by numerous studies.
It is potent and pure, it does not contain ANY artificial fragrances, colours or parabens and contains no unwanted or unneeded chemicals or preservatives.
There are no ‘fad’ technologies, no gimmicks and no extraordinary claims.
It is ethically created and promotes sustainability
It is a Class A product that is result driven
That is why I stock Epicure and why I love the brand. I am passionate about skincare and hope to pass on the secrets of great skin care to Blanco’s valued clients.
To view the full range of Epicure products and see what difference a quality cosmeceutical can do for your skin, have a look at Blanco's Online Store.
Alternatively call the salon on (03) 9817 6797 or contact me online for more advice on the best options for your skin concerns.
