SKINCEUTICALS

Pros

• The brand has laid the groundwork for several innovations in skin care, including the first 100% physical sunscreen and the first patent for a stable form of topical vitamin C. The products are on the cutting edge, backed by both scientific research and dermatologist recommendations.
• SkinCeuticals products are formulated to work hand in hand with cosmetic procedures. Your provider may recommend at-home product pairings following an in-office treatment.
• The line is safe and effective for all skin tones and types, though you should always be careful when incorporating potent active ingredients into your routine.
• Reviewers rave about the real, noticeable results they see from SkinCeuticals products.

Cons

• As with other medical-grade skin-care lines, these products are expensive. The most popular serums cost more than $100 per fluid ounce.
• SkinCeuticals’ innovations have paved the way for industry-wide standards, so many other brands are now up to par with equivalent formulas. You can easily find dozens of competitors’ products featuring the same active ingredients (aka “dupes”), in all price ranges.
• The line requires a fair amount of skin-care knowledge and commitment to diligent use. You’ll need to use the products consistently and correctly to see noticeable change. 
• Though SkinCeuticals doesn’t conduct animal testing on products or ingredients themselves, they do business in countries where animal testing is mandated, so the brand isn’t considered cruelty-free.

The SkinCeuticals product range is wide enough to encompass an entire skin-care routine, from cleanser to eye cream, but you can shop to target your specific skin type and concerns. 

The best sellers include:

• C E Ferulic with 15% L-Ascorbic Acid: This potent serum combines powerhouse free radical–fighting antioxidants to combat environmental damage, address the effects of aging, and brighten the complexion. A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology showed that the topical solution protected skin against damage caused by UV radiation. With 15% pure vitamin C (in the form of L-ascorbic acid), 1% vitamin E, and 0.5% ferulic acid, the serum’s formula is highly active and stable for daily use. 
• Retinol 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0: Derived from vitamin A, retinoids are considered the gold standard for anti-aging topicals because they promote cell turnover to diminish acne, discoloration, and fine lines and wrinkles. SkinCeuticals offers concentrated pure retinol creams that are considered nearly as powerful (but not as irritating) as prescription tretinoin, aka Retin-A.
• Discoloration Defense: Dark spots of hyperpigmentation and melasma, caused by excess melanin trapped in the skin, can be difficult to treat. This dark spot corrector features 3% tranexamic acid, 1% kojic acid, 5% niacinamide, and 5% HEPES (hydroxyethyl piperazine ethane sulfonic acid)—omitting the controversial hydroquinone—to target stubborn brown spots and brighten the skin. 
• Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier: Also used in popular dermal fillers, hyaluronic acid is a molecule that occurs naturally in the body and brings hydration to the skin by attracting and holding up to 1000x its weight in water. This serum contains both pure hyaluronic acid and ingredients that help preserve your skin’s levels of it.
• Hydrating B5 Gel: This hydrating gel serum combines water-binding hyaluronic acid with vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) to replenish moisture and maintain a healthy skin barrier. It can enhance the benefits of a moisturizer. 
• Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight: Glycolic acid is a chemical exfoliant that promotes cell turnover, allowing old skin cells to shed so new ones can come to the surface. Here, a 10% concentration makes for a potent night cream. Tolerable for nightly use, Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight can even out skin tone and texture and increase brightness.
• Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2: A healthy skin barrier is key to retaining moisture for plump, smooth skin. Combining ceramides (2%), natural cholesterol (4%), and fatty acids (2%), this patented anti-aging cream nourishes dry skin and restores barrier function. 
• Physical UV Defense SPF 30: A broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen is key for protection from photoaging. This 100% physical formula combines zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in a light, hydrating base for daily use. Sun protection is especially paramount after in-office treatments that can sensitize the skin, such as laser resurfacing and chemical peels. SkinCeuticals also offers SPF 50 sunscreens.

Consider a consultation with a dermatologist or aesthetician to find the best products for you. 

“A benefit of seeing a dermatologist who carries the SkinCeuticals line is that they have the knowledge to recommend procedures, such as chemical peels or laser treatments, that will enhance your [results],” says Dr. Amy Paul, a dermatologic surgeon in Grand Junction, Colorado. “If you are having procedures done, your dermatologist can help you decide which post-care products are best for maintenance of your procedure results.”

Related: The One Vitamin C Serum That Gets My Skin More Compliments Than Any Other Product

There’s always a risk of irritation when trying new skin-care products, especially those with potent active ingredients.

If you experience stinging, burning, redness, dryness, itching, or flaking when you begin using a new product, decrease your use to every other day or a couple of times a week. If your skin still doesn’t acclimate, stop use and pare your routine down to a gentle cleanser and simple moisturizer until the irritation resolves.

Be mindful of how you’re layering products in your skin-care routine, as that may be what’s causing problems. For example, retinol and vitamin C generally shouldn’t be applied at the same time—use vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night. 

Don’t overdo it with too many powerful products either. “SkinCeuticals can be used nicely with prescription products, but you will want to be careful not to double up on things the dermatologist has prescribed,” says Dr. Paul. 

If you have sensitive skin and are worried about incorporating something new, see a dermatologist or aesthetician for recommendations. They may even be able to provide samples.

“Some people are sensitive to vitamin C and can get a stinging or burning sensation or rash from it, so it is best to test the products before purchasing,” says Dr. Paul.

RealSelf Tip: If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about which skin-care ingredients are safe to use.

• Average Cost:
• $79

• Range:
• $38 - $120

The product line ranges widely in price, with sunscreens starting at $34 and serums at $67. 

Online retailers, like Dermstore, occasionally have sales that include SkinCeuticals products, and gift sets featuring multiple products can provide more value for the cost.

While SkinCeuticals has pioneered medical-grade skin care, many other professional-strength brands offer similar products. When you visit a skin-care professional, they may recommend brands like SkinMedica and iS Clinical.

A number of the key ingredients SkinCeuticals features are available in formulas from brands in all price ranges. You can easily find hyaluronic acid, retinoids, glycolic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide, and more on the shelves of skin-care retailers everywhere.

That being said, SkinCeuticals has the clinical studies to back up its formulations. For example, since vitamin C serums are notoriously unstable, the research SkinCeuticals has done to perfect its formula offers assurance. “Vitamin C is not very stable when exposed to light and air, so [your serum] may not be as strong as expected,” says Dr. Paul. “There are definite clinical benefits to vitamin C if it can be stabilized, but some products are better than others.” It can be a waste of money to buy one that goes bad quickly and isn’t as effective. 

Related: 8 Dermatologists Reveal Their Favorite Vitamin C Serum Under $100

Mukherjee, Siddharth, et al. “Retinoids in the Treatment of Skin Aging: an Overview of Clinical Efficacy and Safety.” Clinical Interventions in Aging, vol. 1, no. 4, Dec. 2006.

Murray, John C., et al. “A Topical Antioxidant Solution Containing Vitamins C and E Stabilized by Ferulic Acid Provides Protection for Human Skin against Damage Caused by Ultraviolet Irradiation.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, vol. 59, no. 3, Sept. 2008.

Pinnell, Sheldon R. “Cutaneous Photodamage, Oxidative Stress, and Topical Antioxidant Protection.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, vol. 48, no. 1, Jan. 2003.

“‘Cosmeceutical’ Label on Cosmetics.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, Feb. 2018.

“‘Cruelty Free’/‘Not Tested on Animals’ Labeling on Cosmetics.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, Nov. 2017.