The Un-sexy Products I Recommend The Most as a Pharmacist
Hi there, my name is Praise, and my day job is as a pharmacist. I see a lot of different things day to day, but there are products that I’ve noticed I keep going back to and recommending. Here are some of them.
Note: I may be a pharmacist, but I’m not your pharmacist. This is general advice, and if you have specific questions, ask a healthcare provider near you.
Azclear Medicated Lotion
Azelaic acid is my go-to recommendation for people struggling with mild acne breakouts who don’t want the side effects of benzoyl peroxide and aren’t quite ready for retinols.
You can get lower strengths in commercially available products, but in Australia, it’s available over the counter at 20% and 15% (Finacea). It also works for rosacea and hyperpigmentation.
Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly
I am sick and tired of people sleeping on Vaseline. Petroleum jelly is that barrier-strengthening ingredient that people always overlook for no good reason.
Is it basic? Yes.
Is it still good? Well, yes.
It’s my go-to for severely chapped lips, an occlusive layer for a damaged barrier, a temporary fix for angular cheilitis, and so on. And it always works.
Nizoral (Ketoconazole) Shampoo
This antifungal shampoo is marketed for dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis, but it also works a treat as a facial mask/wash if you suffer from Malassezia folliculitis (a.k.a. fungal acne). It also comes in a 2% strength (available over the counter).
Acne and fungal acne look different and need to be treated differently. Malassezia folliculitis is caused by an overgrowth of a fungus in the hair follicles. It causes small, itchy red bumps of almost exactly the same size.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
This barrier cream can do it all—healing a damaged barrier, acting as a hydrating mask, helping with tattoos, soothing eczema, dermatitis, and allergic reactions, and even for slugging.
If your skin is going through it, Cicaplast Baume will be there for you. And I think that’s beautiful.
Read: 13 Favourites From La Roche-Posay
Dermal Therapy Very Dry Skin Lotion
I frequently get asked for non-greasy, super-light moisturiser recommendations (it’s almost always by elderly white men), and this is my go-to.
It has a gorgeous texture, wonderful ingredients, and keeps you hydrated while being incredibly lightweight.
Plus, it doesn’t need to be rubbed in for three business days.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar+ M Foaming Gel
This is one of my first recommendations for anyone with body acne.
The Effaclar range by La Roche-Posay is specifically for breakout-prone skin, and this cleanser contains actives that help reduce sebum overproduction while also soothing and calming the skin.
Hamilton Urederm
Urederm is a 10% urea cream that can be used for anything from dry skin conditions like eczema to treating dry, cracked heels.
Urea helps increase moisture levels in the skin, but at higher strengths, it also has exfoliant properties. It’s a perfect cream for both—especially because with super dry skin, helping remove those dry layers allows moisture to reach the new skin underneath.
Cancer Council Face Day Wear Moisturiser Matte
One of the biggest barriers to sunscreen use in the community is greasiness or oiliness. This has become one of my go-to recommendations because it’s at a great price point, has a gorgeous texture, and doesn’t leave a white cast.
I’ve never had anyone come back to me with complaints about it.
Conclusion
These are some of the products I consistently recommend because they work. I hope this helps you find something that works for you too.
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