Posted by Katarina Fajfar
on March 18, 2025
Where do you buy sunscreen? Does the pharmacy represent a place for you to get advice on skin care, especially if you have problems with acne or atopic dermatitis? When you have skin problems, do you turn to a drugstore or pharmacy?
In the blog, we describe what the products sold in pharmacies mean, how they differ from drugstore products, if they are available, and the like.
Exclusivity of pharmacy products
The products sold in pharmacies are still cosmetic products, but it is true that they offer a certain exclusivity. Pharmacies are staffed by pharmacists dressed in white coats, and perhaps people subconsciously trust them more? In the past, for example, diaper rash ointments and sunscreens were purchased exclusively in pharmacies because they were not sold anywhere else, and there were not so many online stores. Today, the situation is completely different.
White packaging for medicine?
All products sold in pharmacies have predominantly white packaging and represent a certain purity and resemble medicines. Although in reality there is no basis to prove that pharmacy products are better than others. If they are labeled as cosmetics, they must comply with cosmetics legislation wherever they are sold.
Dermatologically tested
A term often seen in the cosmetics industry. Dermatological testing is performed on a minimum of 20 volunteers, the test is carried out for 48-72 hours. After the test is completed, an assessment is made of whether there were any adverse reactions or what the general condition of the skin is after applying the product. The testing is supervised by a dermatologist, who also writes an opinion about the product after testing based on the results seen.
The term does not guarantee that the product will suit us, but it is definitely confirmation that the product has already been tested by certain users who did not have reactions at the end of the study, which means that it is less likely that we would have it ourselves. Still, if we do not apply the product to our own skin, we cannot be sure that the product suits us.
Dermocosmetics
Cosmetics that are clinically tested and manufactured according to standards that are generally applied to the pharmaceutical industry, but are still cosmetic products. Basically, such products are intended for the care of skin that is prone to allergies, is sensitive or problematic. The products have active ingredients in certain concentrations and help improve the condition of the skin, which may require a little more of our attention.
Most often, individuals resort to the pharmacy because they don't know which product to buy or have a certain skin problem, and pharmacists help resolve doubts and there is a greater likelihood that the product you are looking for exists in the pharmacy. At the same time, they also offer you a tester so you can try the product at home.
"The product is hypoallergenic", hypoallergenic cosmetics
We often see this phrase from many manufacturers, but what does it tell us? This is not a study, but the manufacturer claims that there are no known allergens in a particular product. These usually include certain fragrances, preservatives, some surfactants (cleaners) and other substances. Hypoallergenic products usually have no smell and are a little simpler in composition, but this does not give you any guarantee that the product will suit you, it is only information that the product does not contain certain potentially allergenic ingredients. Which can serve as information about the composition, but does not give you a guarantee that the product will not cause you allergies.
What is the real situation?
Most cosmetic products are purchased online, and many websites also offer help in choosing a product based on your skin condition.
Many companies choose to dermatologically test a product, even if the products will not be sold in pharmacies, as this can be useful information for a potential buyer. Products sold in drugstores are no less high quality, but they may be made for mass consumption and their prices may be more affordable. In pharmacies, however, we can find products in the middle price range and higher. People are different and it is important to have products in different price categories.
Is the pharmacy just a marketing ploy?
Some might interpret this as true, as the pharmacy itself provides a certain credibility and security, and users believe in the quality of the products. However, this does not mean that we cannot get equally high-quality products online or in other physical stores, as there is a huge selection on the market.
And once again, manufacturers do not produce cosmetic products for pharmacies and for other points of sale separately, but all products are identical in composition and are manufactured under the same conditions, are stored in the same packaging and are of the same quality.