best skincare products near Portland
How to Choose The Best Skincare Products Near Portland
We’ve all seen it—you walk into a store and skincare products are lined from wall to wall. As you pass through the aisles of creams, lotions, and serums that promise flawless skin, it’s nearly impossible to know which products (if any) will actually improve your skin.
If you’re stuck in a rut of buying the same old skincare products that don’t actually give results, you’re not alone. A recent survey revealed that 53% of women don’t think their skincare is effective. Ladies, it’s time to make a change!
Skincare experts at West Linn Aesthetics are here to help you find the best skincare products near Portland. But wait, you don’t have to throw away all your products and you don’t need to spend a fortune on new ones. We will help you start small by swapping out some essential products that have the most impact on your skin.
If you’re ready for a skincare routine that will give you noticeable results and healthier skin, keep reading to learn the truth behind skincare products!
First things first
If you want healthier skin, the products you use at home are essential. For best skin results, 20% is from in-office treatments and 80% is achieved through using the right home care consistently.
So if you’re investing everything into in-clinic treatments and neglecting your daily skincare routine (or using ineffective products) here’s the problem—you’re doing it all backwards.
West Linn Aesthetics is here to help you get back on track. In this blog, our experts give recommendations for choosing the best skincare products near Portland. But skincare doesn’t stop at products. We will also discuss how and when you should add these products into your daily routine.
Medical-Grade Skincare
It’s so important to use medical-grade skincare products. These aren’t the overpriced skincare lines you’ll find at high-end department stores. Medical-grade skincare has prescription-strength ingredients and research to prove that it works. You can only purchase medical-grade skincare through qualified healthcare providers.
How is medical-grade skincare different from OTC?
Medical-grade skincare is a completely different product than the skincare you’ll find in a drugstore store. Two main things set these products apart:
- Prescription-strength ingredients (and a lot of them)
Medical-grade skincare has prescription-strength ingredients that make lasting changes to your skin. Not only do they contain these ingredients, but they have a high concentration of them. As a result, you don’t have to use as much product to get great results.
Sometimes, over-the-counter brands will advertise that their products have these active ingredients. However, they only put a tiny drop of them in a large batch of product. The concentration of active ingredients is so low that it won’t actually make changes to your skin. Don’t be fooled by these marketing claims!
The FDA requires medical-grade skincare to have 99% active ingredients. In over-the-counter products, you will find unregulated ingredients, cheap fillers to bulk up the product, and other ingredients that can actually be harmful to your skin.
But as we promised earlier, you don’t have to swap out every single item you own for a medical-grade product immediately. You will notice a big difference in your skin just by replacing a couple of products.
2. Clinical studies
The other big difference between medical-grade and over-the-counter skincare is the research that goes into it. The FDA highly regulates medical-grade products. Companies must complete clinical studies to prove their product works before selling it.
Alternatively, drugstore skincare is sold with absolutely no research or clinical study requirements. Companies can make any claim they want and don’t have to prove any of them.
When you buy medical-grade skincare, you’ll feel confident knowing the product will do what it says. There is scientific evidence to back up all the claims made by medical-grade products.
Related: Skin Care After Laser Treatment
How should I get started with medical-grade skincare?
You don’t have to change everything all at once. We know medical-grade skincare is more expensive than what you’ll buy at the drugstore (and for a good reason)!
When patients come to West Linn Aesthetics looking for the best skincare products near Portland, we recommend they start with two types of medical-grade products. One to stimulate collagen and one to promote hydration.
Collagen-stimulating products
Everyone can benefit from increased collagen production. Collagen is the main building block of our skin that keeps it healthy, tight, and youthful. As we age, our collagen production continually decreases, resulting in the signs of aging you see in the mirror.
One of the best medical-grade treatments to stimulate collagen production is TNS® Advanced + Serum. This product has a growth factor blend that’s proven to treat sagging skin, decrease the appearance of wrinkles, and improve the skin’s tone and texture.
Related: Collagen Stimulating Treatments Near Portland
When should I add this into my routine?
To get the most out of this product, you’ll want to apply TNS® Advanced + Serum twice a day on clean, dry skin. You can apply it to your entire face, neck, and chest (if desired).
Hydrating products
The second must-have medical-grade product is one with hyaluronic acid for hydration. Hyaluronic acid is a molecule naturally found in your skin that holds water in. The more hyaluronic acid you have, the better your hydration.
HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator is one of the best hyaluronic acid products. Unlike an over-the-counter moisturizer that sits on top of your skin, HA5 penetrates the skin’s barrier to increase hyaluronic acid production from below. This results in noticeable and lasting changes to your skin’s hydration.
When should I add this into my routine?
You want to apply HA5 after you have cleansed and applied the TNS serum. You can use the hydrator twice a day on your face, neck, and chest.
Your skincare routine
Even if you have a cabinet full of the best skincare products near Portland, they won’t work if you don’t apply them consistently and correctly. Let’s discuss the steps of your skincare routine.
1. Cleanse
It’s important to wash your face twice a day, every day. And no, we aren’t talking about using a makeup wipe or wet wipes. We mean the good old-fashioned soap and water kind of cleaning. Use a gentle facial cleanser and warm water to remove dirt, oil, and other debris from your skin. Wipes are not as effective in cleansing your skin.
2. Collagen product
After your face is washed and dried, it’s time to bring out the TNS® Advanced + Serum! Now that your face has a clean base, the serum will better absorb into your skin.
3. Hyaluronic acid product
Next, you’ll apply your hyaluronic acid product, HA5 to your clean skin.
4. Sunscreen
Sunscreen should be the last product you layer on your skin. Many people think they should buy a moisturizer with sunscreen, but we are here to tell you that this is not true! Moisturizer and SPF should be two separate products.
Why? Think about the purpose of each one. You want moisturizer to absorb into the skin, while you want SPF to sit on top and protect the skin. These are our favorite medical-grade SPFs to finish off your skincare routine:
- Smart Tone by ZO Skin Health
- Total Defense and Repair by Skinmedica
These sunscreens provide UVA, UVB, and infrared protection. Sun exposure is one of the quickest ways to age your skin, so it’s important to have as much protection as possible!
Another bonus of these sunscreens is the tint! Smart Tone is tinted and Total Defense and Repair has a tinted option. Did you know you can wear tinted sunscreens in place of foundation? If you want to save money on foundation or just want to simplify your morning routine, these sunscreens are great 2-in-1 options.
Have other products you want to add into your routine?
We are all about keeping it simple, but if you have products you love and want to add into your routine, go for it! Just make sure to apply products in order from thinnest to thickest. Thin products like serums and toners should go on first, while thicker products (like oils and moisturizers) should go on last.
Visit West Linn Aesthetics for the best skincare products near Portland
When you come to West Linn Aesthetics, expect to be greeted by friendly and knowledgeable staff. We are here to help you navigate the world of skincare products so you can look and feel your best. Our experts deliver the high-quality aesthetic care you deserve, with friendly service personalized to your unique needs and goals.
If you’re ready to get started, book a consultation! During our in-depth consultation, we’ll discuss your unique needs, your desired results, and make expert treatment recommendations. We’ll ensure you have all the educational materials necessary to choose the best skincare products near Portland. Contact us today. We can’t wait to hear from you!