#5
Dermatologist-Approved or Dermatologist-Tested
Why it’s meaningless: Here’s another popular claim that sounds official and professional but that isn’t supported by any agreed-on standards in the cosmetics or medical industries. “Dermatologist-approved” could mean something or it could mean nothing at all—more often than not, it means nothing. What you don’t know is whether or not the dermatologist is on the payroll of the cosmetics company (many are, so they’re expected to “approve” of products—when was the last time you saw a “dermatologist-rejected” product) or what standards he or she used to approve the product. For all we know, the dermatologist gave the formula a cursory glance, said it looked good, and that was it, or he or she designed a study to make sure the cosmetics company’s claim was substantiated.
What to look for instead: Forget dermatologist endorsements—instead, focus on finding products that contain ingredients research has proven to be effective (and safe) for your skin. Typically, that means looking for broad-spectrum sunscreens, antioxidants, skin-repairing ingredients, well-formulated exfoliants, and products with cell-communicating ingredients. Regardless of whether or not a “dermatologist-approved” claim is made, these are the types of ingredients that truly make a difference in the health and appearance of your skin—and any dermatologist worth listening to should know this!
(Information by Paula Begoun)
Skin Care Blog 