If you're perplexed about the difference between Serums and Moisturizer, and Medical grade and drug store skincare, it's for good reason.

It can be very hard to distinguish between all of the skincare products on the market today - facial serums, creams, lotions, toners, essences…the list goes on. But two of the most essential products in your skincare routine is your facial serum and moisturizing cream.

And then there is Medical Grade skin care and drug store skincare. What is better for your skin, and which is not.

Read this blog to find out the difference between serum/creams and medical grade/drug store skincare.

What's the difference between Serums and Moisturizing Creams?

Serums

Serums target skin issues such as fine lines, wrinkles, dryness, acne, and hyperpigmentation; they are the most effective anti-aging products available today.

Serums contain high concentrations of active ingredients that penetrate deep within your skin faster and more effectively.

For a great porcelain complexion you "need" actives that are scientifically proven to treat your aging skin.

The Peptides Argireline and Matrixyl 300, Vitamin C, Vitamin A (Retinal, Tratinoin), and Pearl Powder all have scientific research that back up their anti aging claims.

Serums are intended for use under a moisturizer. Cinderella Skin-Tight Serum with the highly active ingredients PEPHA®-TIGHT, L-Arginine, and Sodium Hyaluronate, is a great addition to your skincare regimen to combat these concerns.

And so is Anti Wrinkle Gold Serum with Argireline, a synthetic peptide, also known as acetyl hexapeptide-3 or acetyl hexapeptide-8. Argireline™ is the most sought-after wrinkle reducer on the market today.

Moisturizing Creams

As the name states, creams are used to moisturize your skin, for overall hydration, nutrients and sun protection. Anti-aging creams that have active ingredients smooth fine lines and wrinkles.

Creams create a barrier on the skin’s surface to prevent your skin from drying out. Face creams cannot penetrate deep within your skin. Essentially, their function is to strengthen and protect the surface of the skin.

If you're looking for a powerful Moisturizing cream, I recommend Advanced Supreme Peptide Cream for deep hydration, and restoring skin cell damage. This Cream uses advanced Palmitoyl Oligopeptide and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3 Matrixyl 3000 to reduce wrinkle density, infuse elasticity, and smooth roughness of the skin.

Peptides are a vital ingredient for all skin care products to work at their ultimate best.

This cream is also formulated with Sodium Hyaluronate, a smaller molecular size than HA (making it especially penetrative). It is able to hold more water than any other natural substance - up to 1,000 times its weight in water!

In addition, a customer favorite is Sarah's Pearl Cream, a deep hydrating cream. This cream contains L-Arginine, vitamins A, B, C, & E, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and pearl powder. It's your skin's dream cream.

How Soon Should You Start Using Creams & Serums?

Dermatologists recommend that you start using a serum in your early 30's. This is when cell turnover begins to slow down and the body needs antioxidants to protect against harmful free radicals and environmental stressors.

A face cream should be part of your everyday skincare regimen no matter your age. The sooner you start using a moisturizer, the longer you will retain smooth, soft, hydrated and youthful looking skin.

The Difference Between Medical Grade & Drug Store Skincare?

Medical Grade Skincare

Formulated with precision, medical-grade skincare contains higher concentrations of active ingredients than what you can get over the counter. This means they penetrate deeper into the skin and targets concerns at their root. Whether it’s fine lines, wrinkles, acne, or hyper-pigmentation, these products are proven to deliver real results.

Medical-grade skincare also uses higher-quality ingredients with increased absorption mechanisms that can lead to potentially better results.

Medical-grade products undergo rigorous testing and are backed by scientific research, ensuring they are both safe and effective. This level of scrutiny is paramount, especially for those with sensitive skin or serious skin health goals.

Medical-grade skincare may come with a higher upfront cost, however, their effectiveness and efficiency offer greater long-term value. Investing in products that actually work can save you time, aggravation, and money, reducing the need for multiple products or treatments to correct issues exacerbated by ineffective care.

Drugstore Skincare

Drugstore, or over-the-counter skincare products, are available in most drug and retail stores. OTC products only penetrate the first layer of skin, where the ingredient would have a therapeutic benefit to the skin. Medical skinsare penetrates the bottom layers of the epidermis. Drugstore products have lower concentrations of active ingredients. While they may provide temporary relief or superficial results, they lack the potency to effect lasting change, especially for specific skin conditions. OTC products don't have a lot of activity in their formulation, so you only get a tiny percentage of a specific or "active" ingredient to be effective. They also have as many preseratives as "actives."

While there are many drugstore skincare products, the lack of regulation, clinical backing, and scientific evidence means there’s a higher risk of using a product that could be ineffective or, worse, harmful to your skin over time.

Almost all Drugstore skincare products use Parabens, Phthalates, Talc, Triclosan, and Fragrance (nearly 75% of all fragranced products contain phthalates. These chemicals disrupt hormones, causing reproductive issues, and increases the risk of cancer.) These are toxins you need to look for and avoid.

In addition, some skincare products contain Alcohol, and alcohol is bad for all skin types.The consequences include dryness, disruption of the surface of skin's microbiome, especially on the skin barrier, and a strain on how skin replenishes, renews, and rejuvenates itself. Abstain from skincare products that contain alcohol.

We need to avoid drugstore serums and creams and instead choose products labeled 100% natural/organic,” “paraben-free,” “phthalate-free”, "Non GMO" these ingredients will not be hormone disruptors, carcinogens, or allergens.

And, please choose products that are "Cruelty Free". By choosing cruelty-free products, you are not supporting companies that engage in animal testing. You'll be rejecting practices that harm animals for the sake of beauty. Plus, you don't have to live with the death of a cute bunny, doggie or kitty on your conscience!

Conclusion:

Both face serums and creams are essential skin care products with unique functions and properties. A good skin care routine includes both of these products for best results.

The drugstore skincare industry will never disclose every ingredient that is in their products, so it is our job to educate ourselves. We need to do our own research and switch to safer ingredients for the health and well-being of our bodies. Be the CEO of your health and be more cautious than ever of not only what goes into your body, but also what you are putting on it.