Skincare Product Selection: Quality and Ingredients

How Would You Describe the General Standard of Excellence for This Product?

Skincare of high quality starts with a well-developed and stable formula. Clinicians must consider the product’s consistency, texture, absorption, mode of application, packaging and applicability to the treatment procedures performed in their practice. An excellent formula will provide consistent results among various practitioners who use it in the manner specified by the manufacturer.

Professionals must also find out what ingredients are in a product, how to use it, what safety precautions need to be taken, when the product was made (batch number), when the product will expire, and how to store the product properly. Products with no clear labelling may make it hard to use in your clinic's daily routines. Having clear and easily accessible documentation about a product allows teams to decide whether to purchase and/or use a product based upon accurate and reliable information.

What are active ingredients and complete formulas?

The ingredients used in a product need to fit both the type of product being developed as well as the clients' specific skin care needs. Hydrating products typically contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Products designed to improve the health of the skin barrier typically contain ingredients like ceramides. Other ingredients such as niacinamide, salicylic acid, vitamin C, peptides, antioxidants, and retinoids may be appropriate for treating certain conditions and developing suitable treatment plans.

Professionals should evaluate the ingredients on the label as a single formulation; they should never look at them individually. Also, the order of the ingredients may provide information about how much of each ingredient is present in the product since most companies list their ingredients in descending order based upon concentration (exact amounts may not always be available). Therefore, when evaluating a product, professionals should take into account all aspects of the formulation, recommendations from the manufacturer, and what type of product it is.

Match your product to your skin type and professional treatment.

All professional products must be placed in a logical order of application throughout the entire skin treatment process. For instance, a cleanser would typically be used to prep the skin prior to an initial treatment, such as a facial. A serum, on the other hand, can help provide hydration, promote brightness, or help repair/protect the barrier function of the skin. Likewise, other treatments like masks, moisturisers, finishing products and sun protection must be chosen based on the desired outcome of the treatment.

The clinic can organise all of its formulas into five groups: pre-treatment preparation, active treatment, post-treatment finishing, aftercare, and home care. When the clinic does this, it will allow the practitioners to know exactly what formula to use at what point in the treatment process. It also helps to prevent a strong formula from being applied too soon or too late during the treatment process.

Why shop at Elumia Med Store?

Elumia Med Store is a one-stop shop for all your clinical and skincare needs. Whether you are a clinic owner, salon or spa manager, or a healthcare professional, we have what you need to manage your business. With our online store, you don't need to purchase from multiple vendors; you can find everything you need in one place.

In addition to being conveniently located for professional skincare suppliers in the UAE, clinics should be able to rely on a consistent supply of products and easy ordering. Clinicians will be able to create treatment protocols with access to product lines designed specifically for use in a professional setting. This type of access may also minimise the potential disruptions to clinical operations from unplanned substitutions.

Final Thoughts

When selecting which skincare products to use in your professional practice, you must consider all of the following: quality of the product; completeness of the formula; appropriateness of ingredients; how well it works with treatments; and practicality for use in your clinic. Professionals should not choose products simply because they are popular on social media, or because they are associated with a certain brand name, or because there is one key ingredient that has been highlighted. Every product chosen for the clinic should have a specific role in relation to the services provided by the clinic.

Clinics should initially provide the basic category of products, including cleansers, serums, moisturisers, masks, after-care products and sunscreens. From there, clinics can introduce other targeted formula types which address specific concerns (i.e., dryness, excess oil, blemishes, sensitivity, uneven tone, and visible ageing). By doing so, they will avoid overlapping categories and create a selection of product options that both clinic employees and customers can easily comprehend.