How do we feel about DRMTLGY as a brand?

I often see popular brands like The Ordinary, La Roche-Posay, and Paula’s Choice discussed here. Recently, I have been looking into DRMTLGY. They claim to be “medical-grade” and have great reviews, but I’m skeptical since I haven’t seen them mentioned in this sub.

I have been using their eye masks with caffeine and niacinamide and really like them. I am considering trying their 0.5% retinol and a few other products. They seem like a more concentrated version of The Ordinary.

Any thoughts or experiences with DRMTLGY?

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They boast of being “medical-grade.”

This is purely marketing. There is no difference in formulation between products labeled “medical grade” and those that are not. If a product is truly medical, it’s classified as a drug and labeled as such, without the “medical grade” tag.

Brands that use this label often invest more in R&D, but so do many brands that don’t use the “medical grade” label. Expensive brands like DRMTLGY aren’t often discussed here simply because they’re costly. Even brands like Skinceuticals are rarely mentioned outside of their vitamin C serum. Recommendations here tend to focus on cost-effective options.

In essence, DRMTLGY uses a common marketing strategy to justify higher prices, likely has decent R&D, and is less discussed due to its inaccessibility, not its quality. It’s probably better than brands that compromise on quality to sell at lower prices. However, reviews can be unreliable, especially without the ability to ask the reviewer detailed questions about their experience and skin type.

I would compare it to more affordable products before making a decision. But if it works for you, there’s no need to change.

A brand like DRMTLGY is almost certainly better than The Ordinary (TO). TO is not bad, but their lower costs often mean less optimized and less stabilized formulations. TO does the bare minimum in their formulas, and most other brands formulate active ingredients better due to a larger R&D budget. Estee Lauder’s takeover might change this, but historically, TO’s formulas are less optimized and effective. This is fine for simple ingredients like niacinamide or hyaluronic acid, but for more complex ones like retinol and vitamin C, TO isn’t the best choice. Their products are safe and effective in many cases but lack cosmetic elegance and optimization.

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DRMTLGY is generally well-regarded for its high-quality, dermatologist-recommended skincare products. Customers appreciate the brand’s focus on effective, non-irritating ingredients suitable for various skin types. Their commitment to cruelty-free practices and transparent labeling has garnered positive reviews, making it a trusted choice for many.