Skin Care Product Comparison: Are expensive products better than inexpensive products? What about drugstore products vs. department store products? Skin care expert, Renée Rouleau answers.
DRUGSTORE PRODUCTS
The mass-merchandised brands sold at drugstores are created to fit hundreds of thousands of users, so these lines must play it safe, incorporating very conservative and less therapeutic concentrations of results-oriented formulas. Because these products are sold more inexpensively, often the ingredients chosen for the products are more generic, and may not always provide meaningful change to the skin's appearance.
DEPARTMENT STORE PRODUCTS
The products sold at department stores have one goal in mind--selling the products. Since the companies are in fierce competition with one another, the consumer's satisfaction isn't always at the top of their priority list. With that in mind, they focus on fancy packaging and marketing materials. After all, these companies know that they have to catch your eye when you walk through the department store aisles. Also, these companies know that people will open and smell the products, so they use a lot of perfume additives because they know that smell sells. Read: Is the Clarisonic Brush Harmful or Helpful to the Skin?
PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS SOLD IN SPAS, SALONS AND DOCTOR'S OFFICES
Skin care lines sold by licensed estheticians or physicians are much more specialized with higher concentrations of results-oriented ingredients. And because these licensed professionals truly understand the skin and its function, we believe they are more qualified when choosing the right products for your skin.
BUT...WHAT MATTERS MOST IS THE INGREDIENTS USED IN THE PRODUCTS
What really matters most is what's INSIDE the bottle. Not the fancy packaging, or simply because you hear a celebrity uses it. It's all about the ingredients used in the formulation. The professional lines, the department store lines, and the over-the-counter lines all have some good products and some not-so-good products, too. It's important to use beneficial ingredients on your skin. At Renée Rouleau, we try to inform our clients about skin care ingredients so that you, as a consumer, can make intelligent purchases. There are both good and lousy ingredients in the expensive and inexpensive lines, so read the ingredient labels and you'll be on your way to healthier skin.
INGREDIENT NO-NO'S
Although there is a purpose for every ingredient in cosmetics, certain ingredients may not be appropriate for your specific skin condition. At Renée Rouleau, we care about what you put on your skin. That's why we avoid certain ingredients that may cause reactions in sensitive skin. Check labels before you buy so that you can avoid them also.
Commonly used in moisturizers and cleansers, these ingredients suffocate the skin, contributing to a dull, tired, sluggish complexion. They can clog the pores, contributing to excessive breakouts. They also trap heat in the skin, which will keep your skin red long after you get out of a hot shower.
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
Often used in foaming and gel cleansers, these ingredients are extremely drying and irritating, and encourage dead skin cell buildup. Read: Use Low-Foaming Cleansing Gels to Wash Your Skin
- SD Alcohol 40 or Denatured Alcohol
Frequently used in astringents and toners, these ingredients will cause dead skin cell buildup, which can trap oil and contribute to breakouts. They also strip water out of the skin, deleting the moisture essential for anti-aging. See our collection of alcohol-free toners.
Often used in skin care products, fragrance is the #1 cause of allergic reactions to products. The words "fragrance" or "perfume" will be listed near the bottom of the ingredient list.
- Isopropyl Myristate or Isopropyl Palmitate
Commonly used in cleansers and moisturizers, these ingredients will clog the pores, leading to excessive blackheads and breakouts.
- Artificial Colorants/Dyes
Frequently used in skin care products and may be a skin irritant.
- Apricot Kernels & Walnut Husks
Naturally made particles found in facial scrubs that can scratch and irritate the skin causing bacteria to spread. Read: Facial Scrubs Irritate My Skin. How Can I Safely Exfoliate?
We want to assure you that all of the Renée Rouleau skin care products DO NOT use these ingredients.
Read: Plastic Surgeon, Cosmetic Dermatologist or Esthetician: What is the Best Approach for Your Skin?
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Information courtesy of www.reneerouleau.com, a website with useful skin tips and advice from skin care expert and celebrity esthetician, Renée Rouleau. Her exclusive skin care line is based on nine skin types, rather than the standard--dry, normal and oily, and has a loyal following of celebrities like Demi Lovato, Jessica Simpson and Lisa Rinna.