OTC vs Prescription Medication (Everything You Need to Know)

posted in Cost Disruptors on 1 day ago

OTC vs. Rx

Finding the right skincare routine for you is definitely a journey; one that’s filled with lots of misinformation, trial and error and often disappointing results. However, once you find what works best for you and eliminate those ineffective products and techniques that don’t actually work, the end result is completely worth it!


The majority of our skincare journey is spent trying to find what works for us and what doesn’t work through a variety of tactics such as, trying out different skincare products on the market and gathering tips from dermatologists. But, we know the big question that you’re dying to know the answer to: “What actually works best?” Let’s take a look into the differences between over the counter (OTC) skin care products and prescription medication to help you better determine which products are right for you.

What are the differences?

It’s important to consider your specific needs when determining whether to use over the counter products or prescription treatments. But first, it is best to get a clear understanding of the different factors that separate the two in order to help you make your decision.


Over the counter medications found in drug stores are typically less expensive than prescription medications, making them accessible to anyone without the need of a doctor’s referral. However, prescription skincare treatments are usually safer and more effective in terms of strength as the ingredients are more potent and they are used under a doctor’s care. The good news? It’s possible to access prescription skincare treatments that are affordable, effective and available to everyone! Keep reading to learn how.


To describe the differences between over-the-counter and prescription products, we can take a look at two well-known skincare ingredients - Retinol and Tretinoin. Let’s compare the two by evaluating the overall effectiveness!


Tretinoin vs. Retinol

Retinoids, such as retinol, are a family of vitamin A ingredients commonly used to treat acne and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. You can purchase some retinoids over the counter to help clear up wrinkles or treat fine lines and wrinkles. Tretinoin is a prescription-only retinoid that is also designed to help aid your skin by improving texture, reducing pores, and more! Of the two medications, Tretinoin is much stronger than retinol, which acts as a preparation medication for tretinoin and other dermatology-grade retinoids. While retinol and tretinoin are intended to address the same skin concerns, tretinoin is 20 times more effective, making it much more beneficial for your skincare journey. Tretinoin is more often recommended to treat acne and is the only FDA approved ingredient for treating signs of aging. Because tretinoin is much more potent than Retinol, you can expect to see results faster than if you were to use retinol. Therefore, if you feel you are ready to make significant changes in your skincare routine, opting to go with Rx skincare medication is likely the best choice for you. 


Benefits of Rx Skincare Medication

Medical-grade skincare products recommended by a dermatologist or aesthetician are customized to your unique needs and consist of higher concentrations of active ingredients. This means that you receive the right skincare products the first time - rather than spending money on over-the-counter products that are heavily marked up and may not actually work. Because prescription skincare products, such as Musely, have high levels of active ingredients, the prices of the products are actually more affordable when taking into consideration that you can use less product to allow for deeper penetration into the skin.

Rx skincare medication is also backed by clinical research that proves that the products are safe and effective for treating specific medical conditions. The products undergo a vigorous process to be approved by the FDA and can only be prescribed by a licensed physician. Medical grade skin care products must have clinical research studies to back up any claims about their benefits, while over the counter treatments are not required to have clinical studies or research behind their claims. These over the counter skin care products are “cosmetic-grade”, meaning that they are not held to the same standard as prescription skincare products which are pharmaceutical-grade and must be pure, undiluted and free of impurities.


How does this apply to Musely?

At Musely, we recognize that many people suffer from medical skin conditions, such as alopecia, hyperpigmentation, and melasma. that may only be treated successfully with prescription medicine, We aim to provide our patients with scientifically proven and dermatologist-formulated prescription medication to help them through their skincare journey with products that are personalized for them. Over the counter products often sit on shelves for months on end making them even less potent or causing them to expire. Our ingredients are freshly compounded right before your order is shipped. With this method, Musely is able to ensure that the products are as potent and impactful as possible for you making them fresh, personalized, and beneficial.


Musely is also a very affordable skincare solution as our products and programs are designed to be far more affordable than purchasing the standard 5-step beauty routine and extensive 12-step regimens. Musely also provides a stress free experience, as there is no need to visit an in-person dermatologist or wait in line at a pharmacy. We will provide you with the ease of getting your skincare products online by simply filling out a questionnaire. Once completed, you’ve already finished the hardest step towards your journey to healthy and happy skin!