Medical Skin Care Product Matters

Medical Skin Care Product Matters | RefinedMD, Los Gatos + San Jose

Medical Skin Care Product Matters

When it comes to your at-home skin care regimen, quality matters. Medical-grade products available at RefinedMD simply contain better and more concentrated ingredients than what you can find in stores or online. Legally, only “medical-grade” skin care products can carry certain higher levels of the active ingredients that will really make a difference in your skin. So why does it seem like it’s so much “cheaper” to find these products online, even on seemingly reputable websites like Amazon?

The business of fake skin care products is absolutely booming. In the past decade, confiscation of counterfeit skin care products rose 25 percent. That figure is probably woefully under-reported. Online wholesale platforms offer up thousands of results for popular skin care products that are sold at unbelievably low prices. This is such a big issue that in 2015 the Operation Plastic Beauty division was launched by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s National Intellectual Property Rights.

Determining Real vs. Fake in Skin Care

Just like any other crime network, there are the sellers at the bottom of the hierarchy who work with mid-level suppliers, who in turn work with high-level “dealers.” The vast majority of fake skin care products have been manufactured in China, but not all of them. You might see these fake products for sale on the streets (they are very popular at stalls in flea market type environments) and even online.

So, why are fake skin care products so important to avoid? You have no idea what’s in them. Although the so-called product is going to be a cheap lotion in many cases, they could also contain toxic ingredients. There have been many reports of unsuspecting buyers developing allergic reactions from fake products. This may also be due to the fact that fakes are manufactured in unregulated and often dirty environments. Since you put skin care products directly on your skin, the largest organ of your body, you want and deserve to know that these products are safe and the real deal.

Protecting Your Skin

Unfortunately, most dermatologists have personal experiences with patients who tried to save some money by shopping around for medical-grade skin care products online. Sometimes instead of retinol, there might be glue inside, but it’s often impossible to tell just by looking at a product if you’re not a professional—today’s fakes can look very good. The packaging is nearly identical. Fakes are available on Amazon, Target, and other retailers you know and trust.

A recent episode of the docu-series Broken investigated the skin care industry and explored the world of counterfeit products. One of the most well-known exposes had to do with the Kylie Jenner Lip Kits, when it was discovered that the fakes used superglue in the gloss. This is not an extreme example. Fakes have caused chemical burns, rashes, and other issues that are 100 percent avoidable.

Shop Medical-Grade Products Safely

The only way to be certain you are getting real medical-grade products is to buy from a reputable seller like your dermatologist. You can also shop from the clinic’s own website, bypassing massive online retailers that may not vet products as well as they should. When you’re buying from a third-party seller, it can be almost impossible to tell if the products you are getting is legitimate. The time you spend trying to research them and finding reviews typically isn’t worth the money you think you could be saving. Plus, at RefinedMD, we routinely offer specials on various skin care products that allow you to enjoy a deal on legitimate medical-grade products.

It’s common these days to immediately start comparison shopping online because it’s just so easy. However, when it comes to skin care products, slow down. Trust your dermatologist. Remember that there’s probably a reason you’re finding such a “steal” on these products online compared to what’s available at your clinic.

We offer complimentary consultations and customized skin care regimens for clients so you can rest easy knowing you’re getting the highest-quality products. To schedule your consultation today or place your order for products, call RefinedMD at (408) 688-2082.