When you think of an anti-aging skin care routine, the first products that come to mind are probably retinol creams and peptide serums. But have you ever considered the role that lipids play in maintaining youthful skin?
Lipids like ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids make up your skin’s barrier. Think of the skin barrier as a “brick and mortar” system. The bricks are the corneocytes (dead skin cells) and the intercellular lipids 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.
Supporting your skin’s barrier is not only important for maintaining soft, moisturized skin, but also for preventing signs of aging.
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 is formulated to address this issue with its optimal and patented lipid ratio of 2% pure ceramides, 4% natural cholesterol, and 2% fatty acids.
This lipid correction cream is said to help restore the skin’s external barrier and support natural self-repair, while also nourishing aging skin for improvement in the visible appearance of skin smoothness, laxity, pores, and overall radiance.
So can SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore really provide all of these benefits? To answer that question, we’ll evaluate the formulation details below, including the key ingredients and the research that supports (or doesn’t support) their use in skin care.
We’ll also share some SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore reviews so that you can get an idea of what customers really think of this product.
Is SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore Right For You?
Before we get into the details, here’s the TL;DR if you just want to know whether or not SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore is right for you.
- Key ingredients? Ceramides, Cholesterol, Fatty Acids
- Skin type? Can be used by all skin types; ideal for dry, mature skin
- Texture? Thick cream
- Fragrance? Yes
- Cruelty free? No
- Cost? $130 USD for 1.6 oz
What Are The Key Ingredients in SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore?
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 features a patented lipid ratio of 2% pure ceramides 1 and 3, 4% natural cholesterol, and 2% fatty acids that help to restore the skin barrier and reduce signs of aging. Let’s take a closer look at how each of these ingredients will benefit your skin.
2% Pure Ceramides 1 and 3
Ceramides are a family of waxy lipid molecules that are naturally found in the stratum corneum, aka the skin barrier.
According to a publication in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, ceramides are important for skin barrier function, and exogenously applying ceramides may help to improve skin barrier function.
Using skin care products with ceramides, such as SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore, helps to restore the “mortar” of the skin barrier’s “brick and mortar” system. A strong, intact barrier results in skin that’s moisturized, healthy, and smooth.
4% Natural Cholesterol
Since the skin’s natural barrier consists of cholesterol, this ingredient helps maintain proper barrier functioning by retaining moisture levels and regulating cell activity. It works to strengthen the outer structure of the skin and protect it from dehydration. Cholesterol also functions to repair skin that has been stripped of its natural lipids by things like exfoliating or applying an aggressive anti-aging treatment.
Due to its ability to strengthen and repair the skin’s natural barrier, those with delicate, sensitive, and dry skin types will likely benefit most from cholesterol-containing products like SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore.
Furthermore, since cholesterol levels in the stratum corneum decrease with age (approximately 40% by age 40), using cholesterol-containing products on aged skin could be very beneficial.
2% Fatty Acids
Fatty acids are the final type of lipid you’ll find in the SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore formula, which further assist in optimizing skin’s overall lipid balance.
Fatty acids are particularly beneficial ingredients in a skin care product because the natural fatty acids in the stratum corneum are more susceptible to surfactant-induced removal than other lipids, according to a publication in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science.
Essential oil blend
Unfortunately, SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore includes an essential oil blend of lavender, rosemary, and peppermint oil in order to provide “a cooling, nourishing feeling”.
We’re disappointed that the brand included these fragrant essential oils due to their potential to cause contact allergies and skin irritation.
In fact, according to a 2016 publication in the scholarly journal Dermatitis, nearly 80 essential oils have caused contact allergy.
This is because all fragrance ingredients (whether natural or synthetic) impart scent through a volatile reaction, and this natural reaction almost always causes a sensitizing reaction on skin.
Even if you don’t have a full blown reaction to the ingredient, the damage may still be occurring every day. Ultimately, this can cause mild problems for your skin in the short term and worse problems in the long term.
How to Use SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore?
Apply a small amount of SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore between fingertips, warm and melt the cream in circular motions. Apply once or twice daily to the face, neck, and chest. If using in the morning, apply after your serum and before your sunscreen. If using SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore with a retinol at night, apply after retinol application.
Where to Buy SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore?
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore and other SkinCeuticals skin care products are sold on the brand’s website (skinceuticals.com), 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 brand’s website has a locator so you can find a skincare professional near you that sells SkinCeuticals products.
How Much is SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore?
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore costs $130 USD for 1.6 oz.
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.
Our Verdict
Overall, we would recommend SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore if it wasn’t for the essential oil blend in this cream, which has the potential to cause skin sensitivity reactions.
Pros
- Formula contains a good blend of lipids (ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids) that help to restore the skin’s barrier function
- Many positive SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore reviews
Cons
- High cost
- SkinCeuticals is not cruelty free
- Formula contains essential oils, which have the potential to cause skin sensitivity reactions
References:
de Groot AC, Schmidt E. Essential Oils, Part IV: Contact Allergy. Dermatitis. 2016;27(4):170-175. doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000197
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, July 2014, pages 177-184
Int J Cosmet Sci. 2013 Aug;35(4):337-45..
