Everyone is tightening their belts these days and looking for the best ways to cut costs. Should you give up your medical-grade skincare and hit the local drugstore?
Most drugstore products are less expensive versions of department store lines. They contain petroleum and animal by-products, all cheap waste products that make oils and lotions feel smooth. Most will add fragrances to cover the unnatural, chemical smells as well. While there are a couple of safe, basic product lines available over the counter, they don’t provide the advantages that medical-grade skincare does.
Medical-grade products use evidence-based studies to prove their product results. The ingredient list is focused on keeping the skin intact, avoiding irritation, and improving the skin barrier using tried and tested ingredients. If you need to slim down your routine, look for combination products. Often you can find a moisturizing Vit C serum that also contains Vit E and peptides. Retinol, or Vit A, can be found in moisturizers and serums, as well as a standalone cream at a dose not found over the counter. The bottom line is you don’t have to break the bank to maintain flawless skin in 2026.