{"id":111033,"date":"2020-06-30T09:45:17","date_gmt":"2020-06-30T09:45:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dermatica.co.uk\/skinlab\/the-difference-between-prescription-and-natural-skincare\/"},"modified":"2022-10-13T14:05:35","modified_gmt":"2022-10-13T14:05:35","slug":"can-prescription-skincare-be-natural-skincare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dermatica.com\/skinlab\/can-prescription-skincare-be-natural-skincare\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Prescription Skincare Be Natural Skincare?"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”458869″]\r\n

There\u2019s a lot of hype about natural skincare products. But what\u2019s their place in a skincare routine, and how do they work with prescription skincare products? Here\u2019s our breakdown of what prescription skincare is and whether it can be \u2018natural\u2019. We\u2019ll also debunk some of the science behind natural products.<\/p>\r\n


\r\n<\/p>\r\n

What’s so good about prescription skincare?<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n

Prescription skincare will always be more effective than non-prescription skincare.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Prescription actives are the ingredients that\u2019ve been studied rigorously under clinical trials for quality, safety and efficacy, and they\u2019re heavily regulated. This is because they\u2019re extremely powerful and have the potential to bring greater benefits to your skin. Prescription-strength skincare can treat a range of problems, like acne, pigmentation, melasma and ageing skin. Cosmetic, or \u2018retail grade\u2019 skincare, mostly only has to be tested for quality and safety, so while using these products is unlikely to cause harm, they don\u2019t always have clinically proven benefits.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The potency of prescription ingredients means that they can cause greater side effects, but these are largely manageable if you experience them. A medical professional can talk to you about your individual skin goals and decide whether these ingredients will help you reach them, as well as monitoring any side effects you get. If you have a prescription with Dermatica, our dermatology experts are on hand to help you as your skin adjusts to your new routine, and adjust your formula accordingly.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n

It is, however, unlikely that you\u2019ll be able to look after your skin using just prescription-strength products only. These powerful formulas are generally leave-on treatments, similar to serums. In a skincare routine, you\u2019ll also need a cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen, which won\u2019t be prescription products. And again, due to the strength of many of these formulas, using too many at once can cause irritation, so it\u2019s important to be selective based on the results you want to see!<\/p>\r\n


\r\n<\/p>\r\n

Can Prescription Ingredients Be Natural?<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n

A lot of prescription skincare ingredients have been found in nature. Azelaic acid \u2014 which is used as a treatment for acne and rosacea \u2014 can be found in wholegrain cereals, and was first isolated from yeast. Tretinoin \u2014 a form of vitamin A that\u2019s used for reducing fine lines, pigmentation and reducing acne \u2014 is naturally found in rosehip seed oil. Mushrooms and bee propolis also contain the highly effective, hyperpigmentation-reducing hydroquinone.<\/p>\r\n


\r\n\"\"\r\n<\/p>\r\n

Do Natural Ingredients Work<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n

It\u2019s difficult to say. Firstly, it\u2019s important to remember that \u2018natural\u2019 does not always mean effective, or safe. Many natural forms of these ingredients might not be concentrated enough to make a difference \u2014 for example, you would need 85 litres of rosehip seed oil to get the same amount of tretinoin as you\u2019d find in a 30g tube of a prescribed 0.1% tretinoin formula.\r\n


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There\u2019s also a lot of variation in natural ingredients. With rosehip oil, for example, the amount of tretinoin in it will depend on the variety of rose, the growing conditions, and the way that the oil is extracted. This means that you don\u2019t know how much of the active ingredient your skin is getting. \r\n


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On the other hand, nature is full of allergens and irritants. People commonly react to essential oils, for example. Some essential oils can also cause phototoxic reactions, where your skin becomes inflamed in the presence of sunlight. Ever heard of \u2018mojito burn\u2019, or \u2018margarita burn\u2019? It\u2019s common on holiday, and it\u2019s where the natural oils in mint and lime react with UV light to cause burns on your skin (so be careful if you\u2019re enjoying a cocktail in the sun!) If your skin isn\u2019t sensitive, then most natural products will probably be fine to use, but there are no guarantees \u2014 especially with formulas that are homemade, or aren\u2019t mass market, because they aren\u2019t regulated by experts.\r\n<\/p>\r\n

The Bottom Line<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n

An ingredient being \u2018natural\u2019 doesn\u2019t mean that it\u2019s safer \u2014 it can sometimes mean the opposite, if it hasn\u2019t been tested by clinical experts. Prescription skincare is backed by science and, when used under the guidance of dermatologists, the surest way of achieving your personal skin goals.\r\n


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\r\nReady to start your prescription skincare journey? Start your free online consultation<\/a>. Already using Dermatica?<\/p>\r\n


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By contrast, prescription ingredients are carefully regulated to ensure they\u2019re both safe to use and going to give you consistent results. So, we can\u2019t always say natural ingredients will work, whereas we can clinically prove the benefits of prescription ingredients.\r\n<\/p>\r\n

Should I Use Natural Skincare Products<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n

Natural ingredients aren\u2019t necessarily safer for your skin. Prescription products are mostly formulated with synthetic ingredients, or highly purified ingredients extracted from nature. This means that there\u2019s a very limited number of ingredients in the final product, so the chance of your skin being sensitive is more predictable. The strict regulations surrounding prescription skincare products also means they are widely acknowledged as safe to use.\r\n


\r\n

On the other hand, nature is full of allergens and irritants. People commonly react to essential oils, for example. Some essential oils can also cause phototoxic reactions, where your skin becomes inflamed in the presence of sunlight. Ever heard of \u2018mojito burn\u2019, or \u2018margarita burn\u2019? It\u2019s common on holiday, and it\u2019s where the natural oils in mint and lime react with UV light to cause burns on your skin (so be careful if you\u2019re enjoying a cocktail in the sun!) If your skin isn\u2019t sensitive, then most natural products will probably be fine to use, but there are no guarantees \u2014 especially with formulas that are homemade, or aren\u2019t mass market, because they aren\u2019t regulated by experts.\r\n<\/p>\r\n

The Bottom Line<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n

An ingredient being \u2018natural\u2019 doesn\u2019t mean that it\u2019s safer \u2014 it can sometimes mean the opposite, if it hasn\u2019t been tested by clinical experts. Prescription skincare is backed by science and, when used under the guidance of dermatologists, the surest way of achieving your personal skin goals.\r\n


\r\n

\r\nReady to start your prescription skincare journey? Start your free online consultation<\/a>. Already using Dermatica?<\/p>\r\n


\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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