Podcast 209: Medical skin care: marketing hype vs. scientific reality

There has been a trend in recent years for skin care brands launched by medical professionals and beauticians, often with famous names and near-celebrities in their fields or countries. We’re sure you’ve come across ‘Dr’ this, that or the other on cosmetic labels. That in itself is not an issue. Besides, the all-natural brand Dr. Hauschka has been around since the 1930s.

Today, however, we’re also seeing a rise in so-called medical-grade skin care and the liberal use of the word “clinical” to describe brands and formulations. In this episode, Formula Botanica CEO and podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier is joined by fellow School Education Manager Ana Green to delve into the controversial world of medical skin care and explore the intricacies of the term and its implications.

Ana sheds light on the marketing strategies behind the term medical grade and reveals whether there is substance behind claims that cosmetics penetrate deeper with higher levels of active ingredients. Is medical grade just a marketing term to ensure brands land exclusive sales deals and attach luxury price tags to their products? Hear the big reveal about medical grade cosmetics.

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Inspirational Quote:

“In the world of skincare, the ‘medical grade’ label may sparkle, but it’s the glow of the formulation that really illuminates your skin’s potential. Remember, the magic is in understanding your skin’s unique needs, not just marketing gloss.” – Ana Green, Education Manager, Formula Botanica

In this episode of Medical Grade Skin Care, you’ll hear:

• An exploration of what medical grade skin care entails and how it is primarily used by brands that sell through professionals such as beauticians, dermatologists and plastic surgeons.
• Information on the controversy surrounding the termas Ana highlights the lack of specific regulations and its roots in marketing strategies.
• They debunk claims made by medical grade skin care brandsincluding the concepts of deeper penetration, higher levels of active ingredients and exclusive sales through professionals.
• Discuss the types of actives commonly found in so-called medical-grade skin care and the lack of mandatory clinical trials, underscoring the importance of demanding marketing claims.

Packed essentials include:

• Marketing Strategy: The term “medical grade” is primarily a marketing strategy used by brands to differentiate themselves and create an aura of exclusivity.
• Rebuttal Claims: Claims such as deeper penetration and higher levels of active ingredients lack scientific basis and may not necessarily translate into better skin care effectiveness.
• Clinical tests: While some medical grade skin care brands conduct clinical trials, it is not mandatory and the presence of clinical data does not guarantee superior product efficacy.
• Consumer Choice: The decision to purchase medical grade skin care products should be based on personal preference and product effectiveness, with the understanding that the term itself may not carry significant weight.

Join us in this thought-provoking episode as we navigate the intricacies of medical grade skin care, unraveling marketing tactics and empowering you to make informed skin care choices.

There is a wealth of information in our old episodes and we encourage you to go back and listen to them. If you want to learn more about some of the topics we covered in this episode, check out the podcast archives again. Go and listen:

Episode 8: Why 100% Natural Claims Could Get You In Trouble
Episode 160: The Beauty Industry’s Most Ridiculous Claims

Thank you for joining us on this episode of the Formula Botanica Green Beauty Conversations podcast. If you enjoyed listening, please share, subscribe and review this episode at iTunes, Spotify the Youtube so that more people can enjoy the show. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Lorraine Dallmeier is a biologist, certified environmentalist, and CEO of Formula Botanica, the award-winning online organic cosmetics school. Read more about Lorraine and the Formula Botanica team.