Sephora Skincare won’t fix your skin- here’s why.
The difference between professional grade & drug/beauty store skincare. Lets get into the details of this sometimes controversial topic.
When it comes to skincare, the right products can make all the difference. While it’s easy to get drawn in by the wide variety of products available at places like Sephora, Ulta, Target, and even Tik Tok Shop, there’s a reason why professional-grade skincare from trusted estheticians delivers better, more lasting results.
1. Higher Concentration of Active Ingredients
One of the main reasons professional skincare works better is because it contains higher concentrations of active ingredients. These potent ingredients—like retinoids, peptides, and antioxidants—are scientifically formulated to target specific skin concerns at a deeper level. They have high quality delivery systems that carry these high preforming ingredients deep into the skin where they can put the work in on revising your skin. In contrast, over-the-counter products, including those sold at Sephora, often have more diluted formulas that aren’t as effective at penetrating the skin and delivering visible results. They tend to not have the highest of quality ingredients either. A lot of these products tend to sit on the surface of the skin, not properly penetrating deep enough to make any changes in the skin.
2. Personalized Recommendations for Your Skin
Professional-grade skincare is not one-size-fits-all. A licensed esthetician can assess your skin’s unique needs and recommend products tailored to your concerns—whether it’s acne, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, or sensitivity. In contrast, products at Sephora are typically marketed for broad categories (like "for dry skin" or "anti-aging"), which may not always address your specific skin type or needs. Plus, walking down those aisles can keep you guessing on what will actually work for your skin. Seeing an esthetician takes the guess work out of it! Here at Amanda Taylor Esthetics, I offer Virtual Consultations over video call where I help clients find a professional skincare routine based solely on their specific skin concerns. I also offer FREE skincare consultations to all of my facial clients that visit me at Amanda Taylor Esthetics. I prescribe a customized skincare routine to help you achieve your skin goals. All of my consultations also receive a detailed PDF sent to them that includes an overview of what products they were prescribed, how they work, how to use them, and why they will benefit their skin. I also include a step-by-step morning and nighttime routine. This all makes your skincare easy-peasy!
3. Formulated for Long-Term Results
While Sephora products can offer temporary improvements, professional skincare is designed to produce long-term results. These products often contain prescription-strength ingredients or formulas backed by clinical studies that target the root causes of skin issues. Regular use of professional skincare products can lead to more significant, lasting changes over time—whether you’re looking to clear up acne, brighten dark spots, or smooth fine lines.
4. Better Absorption and Efficacy
Professional skincare is often developed with advanced technology that allows for better absorption by the skin. This means the products penetrate more deeply, providing more effective treatment than the typically lighter, less complex formulations you’ll find at retail stores. When products are properly absorbed, they work more efficiently, delivering faster, more noticeable results.
4. The Money Is In The Packaging
Drug store skincare companies tend to spend a big portion on their packaging and marketing, rather than their formulations and ingredient quality. Professional grade brands are only available to purchase through Licensed Skin Professionals like Estheticians and Dermatologists. They have nice but minimal packaging, and they spend their budgets on rigorous product testing (more than the bare minimum required) to ensure it preforms and grants the advertised results.
The Bottom Line
I know a lot of people tend to think of professional grade skincare as too expensive. While some professional grade products can be on the pricier side, the truth is that you get what you pay for. You’re paying for the sourcing of high quality ingredients, the multiple product testing rounds preforming by large teams of the best-of-the-best scientists and product formulators. BUT, nowadays, Sephora skincare pricing aline with professional grade products. There are also many amazing professional grade products that won’t break the bank. Brands like Face Reality have the mission of providing accessible, professional grade skincare. They do everything they can to keep their prices minimal while never sacrificing the integrity of their products.
Other professional grade brands are pure luxury, like EPICUTIS. Epicutis was created by bioscientists at Princeton University, and create their own patented products and ingredients that are unlike anything else ever done in the skincare world. Their prices reflect their luxury, and they truly WORK.
Here at Amanda Taylor Esthetics, I offer many different professional skincare brands and products to my clients. Each one has been carefully selected, researched, and tested by me. I only carry products I 100% believe in, and have seen work! It is my goal to work with every clients budget, which is why I carry skincare products at different price points for everyone. If you’re looking for skincare help, look. no further than Amanda Taylor Esthetics!
