Do Cosmeceuticals Really Work?
The booming beauty industry confirms that women and men continue to seek ways to counter aging, deal with skin conditions, and achieve skin’s optimal beauty. Seeking beautiful skin is nothing new, and product companies continue to invest millions into research and development to find skincare solutions to enhance its appearance. Acne and anti-aging are two of the most common reasons people visit the dermatologist’s office, and many cosmeceuticals claim to address both of these concerns. However, it is wise to heed product warnings and not expect immediate visible results from any beauty product.
The Link Between Skincare Efficacy and Cosmeceuticals
Skincare efficacy refers to a product’s ability to deliver results. How skin absorbs products, allowing the ingredients to penetrate the skin, does have a science to it, and that is why many new products are pricier than before because there have been exhaustive efforts behind the scenes to put products on the shelves that can do what they promise.
Cosmeceuticals are products with live active ingredients that claim to enhance skincare efficacy and offer medical benefits. The two are linked because they are buzzwords in the dermatology and beauty fields, and both promise to improve skin’s health and appearance.
What Dermatologists Want People to Understand About Cosmeceuticals
In theory, cosmeceuticals offer an alternative to quality skincare from a licensed professional, but it is not. Products with active biological ingredients come with risk. Using the wrong products may result in worsening skin conditions that land people in the dermatology office. So many options are available, and navigating all the choices without knowledge and understanding of the active ingredients isn’t easy. It is easy for a person to get caught up in the promises and glaze over a product’s side effects or warnings.
The most common cosmeceuticals claim to improve skin conditions associated with aging, like fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles. In essence, these cosmeceuticals bridge prescription products and those a person can get at a local drug store.
Professionals Guiding Patients in Best Products and Realistic Results
The flood of choices of cosmeceutical products can overwhelm the average person. Each product comes with a cost, and many people expect results before the skin has time to regenerate. Although it may claim to work after a minimal number of treatments, most products that penetrate the skin take a minimum of six months for visible results. Dermatologists should allow clients to choose the skin concerns they want to address, make product recommendations, and ensure they understand the realistic timeline for results.
When a person purchases multiple cosmeceuticals off the shelf, they get frustrated as results take longer than they would like. An example is those wanting to lighten hyperpigmentation spots on their face. Products can make a visible difference, but it takes time and diligence to incorporate them into a daily skincare routine and follow warnings, like staying out of the sun and wearing sunscreen. The best results may take more than one container of the same product, so cosmeceuticals are not a one-and-done quick fix for any skin condition. Even creams that offer acne relief take time to penetrate the skin, shed dirty skin cells, and renew cells to improve the skin’s appearance.
Vitamins, Acids and Peptides
Some of the most popular ingredients in cosmeceuticals are vitamins, hydroxy acids, and peptides.
Vitamins—There are different vitamins that have evidence-based results. These vitamins include Vitamins A, B, C, and E. Vitamin A has “filler” and thickening qualities; Vitamin B products offer antioxidant properties to improve skin’s protective barrier; Vitamin C products claim to reduce lines and wrinkles; and Vitamin E is used as pre-sun topicals that provide enhanced protection from UV rays.
Hydroxy Acids—Hydroxy acids are often used as peeling agents when applied to the skin in concentrated amounts for short-term use. They accelerate the effects of exfoliation and stimulate the renewal of skin cells to improve the skin texture and reduce hyperpigmentation.
Peptides – Peptides are fragments of collagen, and when used in products, they can stimulate skin cell regeneration and promote accelerated healing of wounds. Cosmeceuticals containing peptides have yielded results of reduced wrinkling of the skin.
Working With a Professional Dermatologist
When it comes to your skin, exploring cosmeceuticals may offer skincare solutions to some conditions. However, it is best to work with a trained and experienced dermatologist to determine skin type, skin conditions, and best forms of treatment. As product developers continue to utilize vitamins, acids, and peptides in their products, the results may improve, but using the wrong product puts people’s skin at risk of an adverse reaction.
If you live or work in the Atlanta area and want to work with the best dermatologist to navigate cosmeceuticals and other treatments, contact Doctor Sherrie Straughn today at Buckhead Dermatology. Doctor Straughn helps clients in the Buckhead area achieve their optimal skin health and appearance.