What’s Best for Anti-Aging Skin Care: Doctor-Prescribed or OTC?

I am nearing 60, but have combination skin. My pores are enlarged and I need to gently squeeze the oily pores and a few blackheads weekly. Have done so for years.

I use Obagi daily, and then I use dr brandt microdermabrasion. I need to restock but I want to consolidate. Which is best? I live in hot humid Texas.

Nancy

=============================================

Hi Nancy,

If you can afford to have a doctor prescribe a skin care regimen with your skin’s needs in mind, that’s definitely the way to go, especially since you have a combination of skin care concerns not well-served by mass market products, that is, aging and oily skin.

You didn’t mention what your Obagi daily skin care program is, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it includes products from the Obagi Nu-Derm System for its prescription strength anti-aging Retin A with one or two from the CLENZIderm M.D. Therapeutic System to control oiliness.

Ask your doctor whether Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Polishing Face Cream is a good idea for you, especially if she prescribes any products containing Retin A.

While Dr. Brandt does recommend his microdermabrasion cream for oily skin as well as anti-aging, it contains Lactic Acid to boost the exfoliating power of the Magnesium Crystals. That may be a bit of (exfoliating) overkill if you’re using Retin A as well.

You might also be interested in this article I wrote about Anti-Aging Products for Oily Skin.

You’ll find an overview of his line in this Review of Dr. Brandt’s Skin Care Line.

Regards,
Jean

Tags: aging and oily skin, anti-aging skin care, microdermabrasion for oily skin, exfoliation for oily skin, doctor-prescribed skin care products, Retin A, OTC vs. doctor-prescribed skin care