Dermopharmacy is experiencing a revolution marked by social media and cosmetic innovation. We see too many cases in pharmacies of the consequences that unfounded advice, but presented credibly, causes to adults and children. Skin care requires scientific knowledge, professional judgment, and personalized advice. Not all skins are the same, nor does someone seeking more "likes" than a commitment to health intend to care for you.
In recent years, everything seems more complex. Serums, retinoids, peptides, Korean cosmetics, and new ingredients like exosomes are part of an ever-expanding offering that sparks the interest of a population concerned about their health and image.
Social media has contributed to popularizing this self-care culture, bringing products and routines closer to millions of people. However, it has also opened the door to misinformation and expectations that do not always align with scientific evidence, even to the risk of causing irreversible damage to our epidermis.
It is worth remembering something as fundamental as it is obvious, but not for that reason forgotten: not everything that goes viral is good for our skin. A product can become a trend without its benefits being sufficiently proven, and a routine that works for one person is not necessarily suitable for another. Following unfounded advice, combining too many cosmetic actives, or giving in to miracle promises can end up causing irritation, unnecessary expenses, and greater confusion about care.
Cosmetic innovation is good news; it means research and progress in new discoveries, but if it is not accompanied by rigorous information, it is an unnecessary risk.
Ingredients like exosomes arouse notable scientific interest due to their possible participation in cellular communication processes and tissue repair. However, it is necessary to distinguish between research results, available evidence, and commercial claims. Novelty, by itself, does not guarantee the efficacy or safety of a product in all circumstances.
In this scenario, the community pharmacy takes on a special role. The pharmacist is the closest and most accessible healthcare professional that the population can turn to for resolving their doubts and receiving guidance on skin care. Their work goes far beyond recommending a cosmetic: it consists of listening, assessing individual needs, helping to select the appropriate products, and explaining how to use them correctly. Furthermore, they can detect when a skin condition requires medical evaluation and refer to a dermatologist when necessary.
The key is not to buy more, but to choose better. An effective routine does not have to include ten products or follow all the steps that are trending on social media. In many cases, adequate cleansing, hydration when necessary, active ingredients selected according to each skin's characteristics, and good photoprotection are sufficient. The latter is especially important in the Canary Islands, where the climatic conditions and numerous hours of sunlight make it essential to protect oneself from the sun all year round, not just in summer or when going to the beach.
From the pharmacies in the Canary Islands, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to bring science closer to the public. Our goal should not be to follow every trend, but to interpret it with health criteria and offer information that allows for responsible decision-making. We can even adapt them to the reality of our climate, hours of sunlight, and pollution. We want people to know what they are using, why they are using it, and what results they can expect, without being swayed by promises that do not always have scientific backing.
Furthermore, by knowing the dermatological characteristics of each person, maintaining follow-up and evaluating changes, new products, and new routines.
Skin care is part of health and, as such, deserves rigorous and personalized attention.
In contrast to the immediacy of social media, indiscriminate recommendations, and miracle solutions, the pharmacy offers something essential: trust, knowledge, and closeness.
The dermopharmacy of the present and the future will not be the one with the most products, but the one with the most knowledge, the most evidence, and the greatest capacity to listen to each patient. And in that future, the pharmacy will continue to have something that no social media trend can replace: the advice of a healthcare professional who knows the person in front of them.
Accumulating cosmetics and following the trends of everything presented as new is not skin care, understanding what it needs and how to protect it is.
It's your skin, you choose.
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