Products sold by estheticians _________.

• A. Are less costly in the long run than those sold over the counter
• B. Are more costly than those sold OTC
• C. Are identical in price to OTC
• D. Are always more effective than OTC

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is cost-effectiveness between professional skincare products and OTC products. Professional-line products sold by estheticians are highly concentrated, so a small amount goes a long way and results are often achieved with fewer applications. Because of that potency and efficiency, the long-term cost per routine can be lower than using OTC products, even if the upfront price is higher. OTC products are usually cheaper to buy initially, but you may need more product or more frequent purchases to reach similar results, which can raise the total amount spent over time. So, in terms of value over the course of a skincare plan, professional products can be less costly in the long run.