SkinCeuticals Review: A Review of The 10 Best SkinCeuticals Products

SkinCeuticals is a brand that offers clinical skincare products that are backed by science. The story behind this brand actually started long before the company’s founding in 1997 thanks to the pivotal research performed by Dr. Sheldon Pinnell, the leading scientist behind SkinCeuticals. Here’s a fun fact about Dr. Pinnell: in 1992, he filed the very first vitamin C patent. This discovery paved the way for an entirely new skin care category: topical vitamin C.

What are the Best Skin Care Products of 2021?

While SkinCeuticals vitamin C serums are among the brand’s most popular products (especially SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic), this brand offers a variety of products to treat the most common skin concerns with the ultimate goal of improving skin health.

In this review, we’ll discuss the SkinCeuticals products through a scientific lens, meaning we’ll evaluate the research that supports (or doesn’t support) the ingredients that you’ll find in these products. We’ll also share some SkinCeuticals reviews so that you can get an idea of what customers really think of these products.

What Are The Top 10 Best SkinCeuticals Products?

SkinCeuticals offers everything you need to create a complete skincare routine, from cleansers to serums to sunscreens and more. Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 best SkinCeuticals products.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

If it’s one product from SkinCeuticals that you’ve definitely heard about, it has to be C E Ferulic. A potent dose of 15% L-ascorbic acid is combined with 1% vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) and 0.5% ferulic acid. The result? An antioxidant serum that not only protects against environmental damage caused by free radicals, but also improves the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and the loss of firmness, while brightening skin’s complexion. One word comes to mind to describe SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic: multi-tasking!

The only drawback we can see is the cost: you’ll have to dish out $166 for just one ounce of SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic! And according to the SkinCeuticals reviews, some customers think it’s worth it and others disagree. One reviewer shares, “Not worth the hype, it is way too expensive for what you are getting.”

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF

Another SkinCeuticals vitamin C serum is Phloretin CF. This triple antioxidant cocktail features 10% L-ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 2% phloretin. If you’ve never heard of phloretin, it’s a flavonoid derived from apples and the root bark of fruit trees including apple, pear, and grapefruit. Phloretin neutralizes damaging free radicals, and also helps increase cell turnover, improves the appearance of discoloration, and helps other beneficial ingredients penetrate deeper into the skin.

SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense

If you’re struggling with hyperpigmentation, you’ve probably tried your fair share of dark spot correctors. So is SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense really any different than the others on the market? Yes and no. After evaluating the formula, we noticed that this serum contains some pretty standard ingredients that you’ll find in many dark spot correctors, such as tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and niacinamide.

What sets SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense apart from the rest is the inclusion of HEPES, or Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid (that’s a mouthful, isn’t it?). HEPES is a synthetically-derived acid that activates natural enzymes in skin to help break the bonds that bind dead skin cells to the surface for even exfoliation. HEPES also acts as an organic buffering agent by contributing its more neutral-basic pH (7.0 to 7.6 pH) to the cosmetic solution, thereby balancing the nature of its more acidic counterparts. Ultimately, this makes the other acids found in the Skinceuticals Discoloration Defense more effective.

SkinCeuticals AGE Interrupter

SkinCeuticals AGE Interrupter is a high concentration anti-wrinkle cream that is formulated to improve the visible signs of aging caused by advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Inside the SkinCeuticals AGE Interrupter formula you’ll find 30% concentration of Pro-Xylane, 4% blueberry extract, and 0.2% phytosphingosine.

Unfortunately, we have to point out that there are several ingredients in this cream that you may not want to put on your skin. First, the brand uses two types of parabens as preservatives in this product. There is still debate over whether or not the low concentration of parabens used in cosmetic products presents a harm to human health, but if you want to play it safe you should avoid using this cream. SkinCeuticals AGE Interrupter also contains a couple synthetic fragrance ingredients. While these make the product smell pleasant, they also have the potential to cause sensitization and skin irritation.

SkinCeuticals Retinol Cream

SkinCeuticals offers three different strengths of their retinol cream: 0.3%, 0.5%, and 1% retinol. It’s recommended to start with SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 if you’re a retinol newbie. Then, work your way up to higher strengths as your skin tolerates it. SkinCeuticals Retinol Cream could be a good option if you’re looking to address multiple signs of aging at once. That’s because retinol is clinically proven to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve uneven skin tone, restore skin firmness, and shrink the appearance of enlarged pores.

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

Supporting your skin’s barrier is not only important for maintaining soft, moisturized skin, but also for preventing signs of aging. Think of the skin barrier as a “brick and mortar” system. The bricks are the corneocytes (dead skin cells) and the intercellular lipids (ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids) represent the mortar. Without these essential lipids, the skin barrier is weakened, just like without mortar a brick wall would be weak and unstable. The result is skin that can easily become dry and irritated, as well as prone to signs of aging like lines and wrinkles.

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 helps to replenish this brick and mortar system with a patented lipid ratio of 2% pure ceramides 1 and 3, 4% natural cholesterol, and 2% fatty acids. By restoring the skin barrier, this anti-aging cream helps to improve the visible appearance of skin smoothness, laxity, pores, and overall radiance.

SkinCeuticals AGE Eye Complex

This silky eye cream absorbs quickly to help the skin feel instantly smoother and brighter. You can thank optical diffuses like titanium dioxide for the immediate improvement of radiance. The formula also contains ingredients to promote long term improvement in the delicate eye area, such as proxylane, blueberry extract, and a complex of flavonoids and synergistic peptides. Unfortunately, this is another SkinCeuticals product that contains parabens as preservatives.

SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier

The HA Intensifier is perfect for dry or aging skin that needs an extra dose of hydration to look smooth and youthful once again. This corrective serum is proven to amplify skin’s hyaluronic acid levels by a whopping 30 percent! If you’re even a little bit interested in skin care, you know that hyaluronic acid is the key molecule involved with skin moisture levels. Hyaluronic acid draws in and holds moisture (a lot of moisture; up to 1,000 times its weight in water). This not only hydrates skin, but also gives you a more plump, youthful look.

SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel

This oil-free moisturizer combines panthenol (provitamin B5) with hyaluronic acid to help bind moisture to the skin. It can be used alone or with a daily moisturizer to provide extra hydration, and is an ideal moisturizer for acne prone skin. One reviewer describes the benefits of SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel like this, “My skin drinks it up and feels so soft and hydrated.”

SkinCeuticals Sunscreen Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50

This tinted SkinCeuticals sunscreen provides broad spectrum SPF 50 protection thanks to the combination of two mineral sunscreens: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. The sheer, tinted formula is said to adapt to most skin tones without a white cast. Many SkinCeuticals reviews confirm that this sunscreen does not leave a white cast, and many reviewers share that it gives you a natural finish.

Is SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Right For Me?

By now you know that SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is the brand’s most popular product. But before investing in this antioxidant serum, take a look at our summary of the most important factors to consider:

• Key ingredients? 15% L-ascorbic acid, 1% vitamin E (alpha tocopherol), and 0.5% ferulic acid
• Skin type? Suitable for all skin types (including acne-prone)
• Texture? Lightweight liquid
• Fragrance? No
• Cruelty free? No
• Cost? $166 USD

What Are The Key Ingredients in SkinCeuticals Products?

Since SkinCeuticals leading scientist Dr. Sheldon Pinnell has been called the “founding father of topical antioxidants”, it’s pretty obvious that antioxidants are the key ingredients used in SkinCeuticals products. But what exactly are antioxidants? And how do they benefit your skin?

Antioxidants donate electrons to free radicals. Free radicals only have one unpaired electron, which makes the free radical unstable and highly reactive. In an attempt to become more stable, free radicals will either donate their single electron to another molecule or accept an electron from another molecule.

Ultimately, this leads to a chain of events that rips electrons off all nearby molecules. This is problematic because free radicals can rip electrons off our important cellular structures, like DNA, proteins, carbohydrates, or the cell membrane, which damages the cell and may even lead to cell death.

The International Dermal Institute explains, “Antioxidants help prevent such damage by giving free radicals what they want before they attack your cells.” This is important because when oxidative damage accumulates in the skin the result is inflammation, uneven skin tone, and premature signs of aging.

One of the main antioxidants in SkinCeutical products is L-ascorbic acid, which is pure vitamin C. Vitamin C donates electrons to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as the superoxide ion and peroxide that are generated when the skin is exposed to UV light. Therefore, by using the SkinCeuticals vitamin C serums you can protect the collagen in your skin and prevent signs of aging.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic and the other SkinCeuticals vitamin C formulations may also be able to correct existing signs of aging since vitamin C promotes new collagen synthesis. Specifically, vitamin C serves as a cofactor for enzymes that are responsible for stabilizing and cross-linking the collagen molecules.

According to the Indian Dermatology Online Journal, clinical studies have shown that the topical use of vitamin C increases collagen production in both young and aged human skin. Once again, by increasing the amount of collagen in the skin, signs of aging will be diminished and the skin will appear more firm.

If you didn’t think vitamin C could get any better, it can! In addition to protecting collagen and promoting new collagen synthesis, vitamin C can help to reduce the appearance of dark spots and improve uneven skin tone. This is accomplished through inhibition of melanin synthesis. Melanin is a pigment that gives our skin color, but too much of this pigment can lead to undesirable dark spots called hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C decreases melanin formation by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme that is required for melanin synthesis.

Another antioxidant that you’ll find in SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic and many other SkinCeuticals products is vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol). What’s interesting is that the antioxidant activity of vitamin E can actually become more powerful when combined with vitamin C. For this reason, vitamins C and E are referred to as “network antioxidants”. A publication in the journal

Dermatologic Therapy explains, “because vitamin C regenerates oxidized vitamin E, the combination in a cosmeceutical formulation is synergistic – particularly in UV protection.”

The final antioxidant in SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is, of course, ferulic acid. Like other antioxidants, topical application of ferulic acid will help to slow the aging process by protecting the skin from free radical damage. One of the key advantages of ferulic acid is its ability to enhance the efficacy and stability of vitamins C and E.

Where to Buy SkinCeuticals Products?

SkinCeuticals products are sold on the brand’s website, as well as third party online retailers, such as Dermstore, LovelySkin, Amazon, and more. In addition, SkinCeuticals products are sold by dermatologists and estheticians. The SkinCeuticals website has a locator so you can find a skincare professional near you that sells SkinCeuticals products.

What is The SkinCeuticals Return Policy?

The SkinCeuticals return policy states, “If for some reason you are not satisfied with your SkinCeuticals.com order, you can return it in its original packaging with the original packing slip within 30 days of purchase date. We do not process exchanges at this time.”

Is SkinCeuticals Cruelty Free?

SkinCeuticals is not cruelty free. SkinCeuticals is owned by L’Oréal, a company that tests on animals. L’Oréal does not conduct animal testing on their products or ingredients, nor ask others to test on our behalf, except when required by law. Since L’Oréal products are sold in China, they must test their products on animals by law.

SkinCeuticals Reviews

SkinCeuticals reviews on the brand’s website are overall very positive. The product with the most reviews is SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, which has earned an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars after more than 1,400 customer reviews.

The positive reviews for SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic mention that it hydrates the skin and helps to fade dark spots while improving skin brightness and overall skin tone.

For example, one review says, “Can’t go a day without it. Improving discoloration and age spots daily! Wish it smelled better. But I’m happy with the results I am seeing. Packaging is great and application is easy. I would definitely recommend using a vitamin C serum ASAP!”

However, there are a handful of negative reviews for SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, mostly from customers who were disappointed that they didn’t see the results they were hoping for. And there are quite a few reviews that mention that the smell is unbearable.

For example, one review says, “After reading a lot about this online and seeing the reviews, I have to say I’m really disappointed. I feel like I’ve completely wasted my money on this because after using it for ~4 weeks, I’ve seen no difference in my skin. On top of that, the smell is unbearable. I’m not the type to actively look for scented products, but at the very least my skin shouldn’t smell bad from the products I wear. If this were a nighttime product, it might be acceptable, but as a product that is put on first thing in the morning, it’s so unpleasant to deal with the bad smell all day. The price on this was already a high barrier to making this purchase, but I thought I’d give it a chance. Definitely wouldn’t buy this again and not even sure if I want to continue using it.”

Our Verdict

Overall, we think that some SkinCeuticals products are better than others. We would recommend avoiding the SkinCeuticals products that contain parabens and fragrance.

Pros

• Clinical formulations with evidence-based ingredients
• Many positive SkinCeuticals reviews

Cons

• High cost
• Some SkinCeuticals products contain fragrance
• Some SkinCeuticals products contain parabens
• SkinCeuticals is not cruelty free

What Are Some Alternatives to SkinCeuticals Products?

If you’re looking for skincare products to address the signs of aging, one brand we recommend is Formulyst. Formulyst is a cruelty free brand that maximizes the use of powerful ingredients and minimizes the use of superficial ones, resulting in clinically advanced skin care solutions that help promote healthy, more youthful-looking skin.

One example is Formulyst’s Active Serum, which contains a potent blend of the antioxidants vitamins C, E, and ferulic acid, as well as panthenol and niacinamide. It’s a hydrating serum that offers a powerful dose of antioxidants to help shield your skin from environmental assaults that age your skin.

Another brand that balances the power of plants with cutting edge science is Carrot & Stick. Not only is Carrot & Stick good for your skin, it is also good for the environment as the formulas skip harmful chemicals commonly found in skin care products.

References:
Indian Dermatol Online J. 2013 Apr-Jun; 4(2): 143–146.
Dermatol Ther Sep-Oct 2007;20(5):314-21.