Skincare · 5 min read ·
Why medical-grade skincare is different from the high street
Higher concentrations, proven formulations and professional guidance. What you are paying for with Obagi and ZO.
Quick answer: Medical-grade skincare uses clinically tested active ingredients at effective concentrations and is sold through clinics, so you get professional guidance on what to use and when.
Concentration and delivery
Many high-street products contain active ingredients at levels too low to change the skin. Medical ranges are formulated to deliver actives such as vitamin C, retinol and growth factors where they work.
Clinical evidence
Brands such as Obagi and ZO Skin Health test their formulations clinically, which is why clinics trust them for acne, pigmentation and ageing.
The guidance makes the difference
Strong actives used in the wrong order cause irritation. A clinic introduces them gradually and adjusts as your skin responds.
Buying safely
Buy from authorised clinics. Grey-market products can be old, stored badly or counterfeit. Skin Deep is an Obagi Ambassador Clinic and buys directly from the brands.
Common questions
Do I need a consultation to buy?
Not for most Obagi products. ZO Skin Health and prescription items are supplied after a consultation.
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Written by the Skin Deep Aesthetics clinical team, 6 Carlisle Road, Derry. This article is general information, not medical advice. Book a consultation for advice about your own skin.
