Skincare Education

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Skincare education - what skincare should I be using?

At Tivoli Rose, we know how overwhelming the world of skincare can be. From supermarket shelves to salon-grade formulas and prescription-only options—it’s hard to know what your skin really needs, and where to start. Although it may be tempting to reach for the cheaper products on the market, it’s important to understand their shortcomings and how in time they can end up costing you more.

One of the most common questions we get asked in clinic is: “What’s the difference between cosmetic, cosmedical, and pharmaceutical skincare products?”

Our clients are often thinking, “where do I start!?” It’s a great question—and one that deserves a clear answer. So, let’s break it down in a way that makes sense, so you can feel empowered and confident in your skincare choices. Skincare shouldn’t be complicated; it should be efficient and effective.

Cosmetic Skincare Products

Cosmetic skincare includes the products you typically find in department stores, supermarkets, or on the shelves of beauty retailers (think Woolworths, Priceline, Sephora and Mecca). These products promise to cleanse, moisturise, or enhance the appearance of the skin, but it’s not always the case as they don’t penetrate deeply or change how the skin functions on a cellular level.

Think of these as surface-level skincare. They can make your skin feel soft, hydrated, and refreshed in the short term—but the effects are mostly cosmetic and often temporary. While they might improve the look and feel of your skin for the day, they don’t contain the active ingredients needed to create lasting change or address the root causes of common skin concerns like acne, pigmentation, or premature ageing.

At Tivoli Rose, we appreciate that these products have a place in your routine—but we believe that if you’re ready to invest in your skin and want to see real, visible changes, you may want to level up to cosmedical skincare.

Examples:

  • Grocery store cleansers and moisturisers

  • Over-the-counter exfoliants and masks from some beauty retailers

  • Hydrating mists and basic toners

Good for:

  • Maintaining general skin hydration and cleanliness

  • Enhancing texture and glow (temporarily)

Cosmedical Skincare Products

Where beauty meets science, and we love!

Cosmedicals are what we love most at Tivoli Rose—and it’s the skincare we stock (shout out to O Cosmedics!). These formulas are a beautiful blend of cosmetic and pharmaceutical benefits. They contain active ingredients that have been clinically studied to improve skin health, appearance, and function.

The magic of cosmedicals lies in their ability to work on a cellular level—meaning they don’t just sit on the surface of the skin. These products are formulated with active ingredients that are small enough in molecular structure to penetrate beyond the outermost layer and reach the deeper layers of the skin, where real transformation happens.

By interacting with skin cells directly, they can stimulate collagen production, accelerate cell turnover, regulate oil flow, reduce inflammation, and even repair damage at its source. This is what sets them apart from everyday cosmetics—they support long-term skin health and visibly improve skin concerns from the inside out.All of this without the need for a prescription.

Examples:

  • Retinol (Vitamin A), Vitamin C serums, niacinamide

  • Peptides, growth factors, and enzymes

  • AHAs/BHAs like glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid

Good for:

  • Treating acne, pigmentation, fine lines and uneven skin tone

  • Strengthening skin barrier and boosting collagen

  • Supporting long-term skin transformation

At Tivoli Rose, we stock and work with professional-grade, results-driven cosmedical brands that align with our values—high performance, clean formulations, and real skin results. These are the products we trust, use ourselves, and recommend to our clients.

Pharmaceutical Skincare Products

Pharmaceutical skincare products are usually available only through a doctor, dermatologist, or prescribing skin therapist (although some can be purchased over the counter). These products are used to treat specific medical skin conditions and contain ingredients that affect the structure or function of the skin.

They are highly regulated, usually require prescriptions, and are often reserved for more complex or chronic concerns that can’t be effectively treated with cosmetics or cosmedicals alone.

Examples:

  • Prescription-only retinoids (like tretinoin)

  • Topical steroids or antibiotics

  • Hydroquinone or other pigment inhibitors

Good for:

  • Persistent acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis

  • Severe pigmentation disorders or inflammatory skin conditions

So… Which One Is Right for You?

We believe skincare is never one-size-fits-all. It’s personal. Your skin tells a story—of lifestyle, hormones, stress, environment, and more. That’s why we always start with a detailed consultation and skin analysis, helping you understand what your skin is experiencing, and what it truly needs.

Here’s a simple guide:

Cosmetic – more of a quick fix
Cosmedical – ideal for those ready to take their skin to the next level
Pharmaceutical – necessary for treating diagnosed skin conditions

Why We Love Cosmedical Products at Tivoli Rose

Our mission is to help you feel confident in your skin—without filters, without hiding, and without wasting time on things that don’t work. Cosmedical skincare gives us the perfect balance between professional-grade performance and everyday usability.

Whether you’re navigating breakouts, signs of ageing, dullness, or sensitivity, we can help you build a routine that supports long-term skin health—not just short-term cover-ups.

Ready to Find the Right Products for You?

Come visit us in clinic or book a skin consultation. We’ll guide you through the difference, help you understand your skin’s needs, and introduce you to products that are as unique as you are.