When you buy a skin care product at the supermarket or corner drug store, are you really getting what you want and need? These products can vary widely, both in their active ingredients and in the concentrations and effectiveness of those active ingredients. Let’s examine some of the differences that you need to understand in your quest for better skin.

Cheap, generic skin care products tend to offer little more than a nice scent, a pleasing consistency, and (if you’re lucky) a temporary moisturizing effect. On the other edge of the scale, you have medical-grade skin care products. These products have medically beneficial active ingredients, but in such high concentrations that they require a doctor’s prescription.

For most people, the happy medium lies in high-quality skin care products that offer those same active ingredients in moderate concentrations -- powerful enough to get the job done, but not powerful enough to cause significant side effects. Look for products that feature ingredients such as:

Retinol – Retinol boost your skin’s collagen supply, which helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It’s a non-prescription alternative to medical-grade retinoid drugs such as Retin-A.

Vitamin C – Vitamin C is an antioxidant which can fight oxidative damage in cells. Even modest (but sufficient) levels of Vitamin C can make your skin look more youthful while also protecting it against environmental threats.

Hyaluronic acid – This substance, which is naturally produced by your body, has an amazing ability to retain moisture. This property makes it a valuable ingredient in products that restore plumpness and elasticity to the skin.

Salicylic acid – This keratolytic agent boosts skin moisture while also making it easier to the skin to slough off excess cells. Look for it as an active ingredient in products that treat acne, warts, and calluses.

Looking for high-quality skin care products? Our Austin MedSpa has them!