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"Professional" skincare vs department store skincare
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Tammy
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Thu Nov 06, 2003 11:45 am      Reply with quote
Hi Everyone!

I'm looking for a bit of input today as to what everyone's experience was w/"professional "skincare products vs department store lines.

I have been using Chanel's Precision line for the last three or so years and my skin behaves rather well. I still can't help wondering though if I can find products that perform better for the $$. What kind of differences do you all notice about pro vs dpt store?

Thanks in advance.
chunlisa
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Thu Nov 06, 2003 12:30 pm      Reply with quote
Hi Tammy,

If you run a search on this forum, I think there are quite a few answers to your question (this topic comes up frequently).
Nonetheless, to save you search time, let me offer my two cents.

I think a lot of the non-professional products are great -- but my skin just won't react well with them for some reason. I don't WANT to be "high maintenance" and believe you me, I definitely would prefer to spend $5 on face wash than $30. BUT . . . OTC products just haven't helped with my acne or my skin. I LOVE going to the skin care section in grocery stores to look at new products -- and I buy a LOT of stuff that way -- but it ends up going unused (after the first use) because it made my skin break out or didn't feel quite right.

A lot of people are blessed with beautiful, flawless skin -- and those people are lucky to be able to use the great products at grocery stores.

I SEE a difference when I use a PTR mask vs. a $3.00 mask from a drug store. The masks have the same ingredients (not all the same but most) but the PTR mask ends up healing my acne and the other one ends up adding more to the problem. Again, I think my skin has an "atittude problem" and I can't help it. After many years of using non-professional products, I find that professional products really help my skin -- and this is a purely personal opinion.

Another thing I do notice is that non-professional exfoliators have HUMONGOUS beads -- and those are AWFUL for your skin because they end up scratching the surface. The SMALLER the beads, the better, and most non-professional brands don't have small exfoliating beads. They might smell good and stuff -- but what are they really doing to your skin?

My advice is just to stick with what works for you. I have so many friends who have perfect skin from simply using L'oreal or Johnson & Johnson or Neutrogena. Those products are GREAT -- but *I* cannot use them because they don't help my skin much. I have been using Yonka (for like 6 months now) and it has really really helped my skin -- and has given me more confidence -- and actually, it's made me learn MORE about skin care and skin products.

I think there are many others on this forum with great advice so hopefully they'll reply -- otherwise, do a search on the forum because there have been quite a few posts on this issue Smile

Hope this helps!
chunlisa
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Thu Nov 06, 2003 12:32 pm      Reply with quote
Sorry -- I didn't realize the distinction you were making -- you weren't talking about grocery store lines but department store lines like Clinique, Chanel, Lancome, right?

In that case, my advice is also the same except the department store lines seem overpriced sometimes. But that's just a personal opinion. I think a lot of professional products are, too, but they work better (for me).

I personally use what I use (Yonka Gel Cleanser) because the dept store brands DON'T CARRY a similar gel (light gel) cleanser. I use make up from dept stores (and Bare Escentuals) . . . if I find something that works, I'll stick with it. If dept brands work for you -- why change? Skin care is so important -- why experiment around when you know you've found something that works?

Sorry about my earlier post -- probably didn't make sense, eh?

Lisa
Barbara Portno
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Fri Nov 07, 2003 6:51 am      Reply with quote
I can add to Lisa's experiences. I used Dept store brands for the first 20 years of using something other than soap:o on my face. Clique, Lancôme, Clarins, Dr.Hauschka , Mary Kay, Avon, to name just a few. I always had some satisfaction, but never a reversal in the ageing process. When I started using the products from EDS almost 2 years ago, my skin not only improved dramatically but I also have experienced a significant decrease (softening/minimizing) in my existing wrinkles. In fact, I do have very faint wrinkles but for the most part my face is pretty clear. I pray it stays that way but that would not be realistic. I have full confidence that with the continuous use of cellcosmet, skinceuticals, dermalogica, Valmont and Decleor lines my skin is getting the very best treatment I can afford. On a closing note, I would email the spa directly about one of your concerns, for example, dry skin or acne, whatever. You will go thru a question and answer period and then they will recommend a few different products based on your answers. When you purchase your product ask to have samples of XYZ thrown in. Do your homework; consistently check out the "product review forum", read what people are saying about the various products. Spend time on each line. I probably spent an hour a day reading thru each line, the different types, specialties etc (on both the forum and at the web store.) They have price points for everyone. As with anything you buy, be an informed consumer. Ask questions too!

SoMaYVR
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Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:44 pm      Reply with quote
just keep in mind, department stores products, is all 'marketing' and expensive packaging.

look at shiseido, for example, you're paying for the packaging, fancy bottles.

the only product i use is BIOTHERM, simple packaging, and until recently only carried skin care, and within the last few years have branched out to makeup.

i like OBAGI which can only be purchased from a medical centre or here on EDS. it is not sold in department stores.

whatever works for the individual.
Bluewave
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Fri Sep 25, 2009 1:47 am      Reply with quote
sometimes, u end up paying a lot for department store skincare, that mostly would be due to its cost of marketing, advertisement and packaging.
some of the products are good, but normally, if u ask your beautician, or if u research more, you can find non-department brands that work as good, or even better, for slightly cheaper.
samplelover
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Fri Sep 25, 2009 4:35 am      Reply with quote
I use to buy only the department store brands. Of course, with the price you pay for those items, you expect to see better result than the other brands that can't afford to be inside the store. However, over the years, I find, a lot of stuff that you find here in EDS actually work a lot better than the ones that the department carries.
GirlieGirl
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Fri Sep 25, 2009 5:41 am      Reply with quote
My skin care consists of some drugstore and some higher end products but I dont buy any skin care from dept stores anymore. I never use 1 complete line or brand either.

Higher ends items are not always worth the $$ because it doesn't necessarily mean they are more effective. And if they are effective with right %'s and pH's, alot of the time they are not packaged properly to keep them effective.

When it comes to products with 'actives' you really need to do your research.
SkinCareJunkie
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Sat Sep 26, 2009 10:42 pm      Reply with quote
GirlieGirl wrote:
My skin care consists of some drugstore and some higher end products but I dont buy any skin care from dept stores anymore. I never use 1 complete line or brand either.

Higher ends items are not always worth the $$ because it doesn't necessarily mean they are more effective. And if they are effective with right %'s and pH's, alot of the time they are not packaged properly to keep them effective.

When it comes to products with 'actives' you really need to do your research.


People often assume the more you pay for skincare the better the products will work. Actually a lot of times your paying for the advertising of the product. Sometimes you do get what you pay for. It's important to know your skincare ingredients.

I'm always checking the ingredients of products. I'll often find the most important actives are way down on the list.
Skincare
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Sun Sep 27, 2009 1:46 am      Reply with quote
I have to agree that the higher end products that you are paying into is the packaging and it does draw me in if I'm interested to research more on that line or not. I have more trust on pharmaceutical brands, like Vivier and I use Cellcosmet. I would have to say that the only safe low end and to save money would be some natural products like 100% jojoba oil. I think Cetaphil & Moisteral is an exception. It's a drugstore brand, but very safe to use and with Moisteral, the pharmacist would mix that with prescribed medicine.
tikiandbabu
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Sun Sep 27, 2009 6:30 am      Reply with quote
I think that there is a difference on some department store skincare and professional products. There is alot of marketing that goes into department store brands, but if they work for you then stick with it. I've personally used a mix of both for years, I once got such great results from La Prairie that I was stunned...and had a terrible experience with IS skincare. So play, have fun and switch around. Keep in mind that the most expensive isn't always the most effective Smile.
p.s. I am now on Intraceuticals and it is AMAZING!!
Skincare
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Sun Sep 27, 2009 7:15 am      Reply with quote
With some expensive brands which you pay $300 for 1oz cream, you are paying the scientist to purchase expensive ingredients, which are usually more concentrated and for the packaging. The ingredients are usually nothing special, it's all about the strength & quality.
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