A Definitive List of the Top 10 SkinCeuticals Products That Are 100% Worth Your Money
Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's former Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.
If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me if SkinCeuticals is worth it, I'd have... a lot of dollars.
From *that* cult C E Ferulic serum to a retinol treatment AB customers rate a 4.7 out of 5 stars, it feels like everyone's always talking about this active skincare brand.
Dermatologists, beauty editors, skinfluencers and dermal therapists rave about SkinCeuticals products.
The science-backed cosmeceutical skincare products have decades of clinical research behind them, and better yet, the general consensus from people who use them is that they work.
But if you've ever wondered if SkinCeuticals products live up to the hype - spoiler alert, this beauty editor thinks they do - keep scrolling for the top 10 products the AB team always repurchases.
10. Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2.
- An intensely nourishing moisturiser that's particularly great for anyone with age management concerns or mature skin.
- Contains lipids like ceramides, natural cholesterol and fatty acids that mimic the oils our skin naturally produces - a process that slows down as we age.
- Counters the visible effects of lipid loss in skin, including roughness, dullness, and loss of facial fullness.
- Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 has been clinically proven to improve skin’s smoothness, laxity, pore appearance, and overall radiance.
You'll love this if...
You're looking for a rich, creamy moisturiser that actually keeps your skin looking and feeling hydrated and plump throughout the day.
9. SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel & Mist.
*OK, we're being sneaky here... but the AB office love for the SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective range is equally split between the serum and the mist!
What:
- SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel is an oil-free gel serum with anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and brightening ingredients to manage the look of dark spots and acne scars, as well as soothe irritated skin.
- SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Essence Mist is the face mist version, which our editor can confirm works to reduce the look of redness.
- Both the serum and mist contain a phyto-botanical blend of boldus leaf, cucumber, thyme, olive leaf and rosemary extracts, plus hydrators hyaluronic acid and glycerin, help to soothe and hydrate the skin.
- The herbaceous scent and emerald green colour are also stunning.
Check out Joanna's YouTube video below to hear more about why the phyto corrective gel serum is the bee's knees.
You'll love these if...
Read our full SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective review on Beauty IQ here for more details on why these products are game changers.
But those with sensitised skin prone to redness, irritation, inflammation and even rosacea symptoms - these were made for you.
Senior Editor Amy Clark has also been through about three bottles of this SkinCeuticals mist, it's that good.
Shop SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel & Mist:
8. SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier.
- A top-of-the-line hyaluronic acid serum with more than 150 5-star reviews from AB customers.
- The hydrating and plumping serum contains multiple weights of hyaluronic acid that deliver surface hydration, plus Proxylane™ and botanical extracts to reduce fine lines, improve skin texture and boost plumpness.
- Patented formula is proven to boost your skin's hyaluronic acid levels by 30 per cent.
- Smells really nice, and it's pink!
You'll love this if...
Your thirsty, dehydrated skin wants the immediate plumping effects and longer-term deep hydration of a premium hyaluronic acid serum.
And Adore's founder Kate Morris and our beauty editor/in-house skinfluencer Joanna Fleming both love this hydrating serum, so there's that.
7. SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense Serum.
- A treatment serum for anyone concerned about ageing as well as blemishes.
- Designed specifically for those experiencing adult acne.
- This two-in-one serum contains a mix of glycolic acid, salicylic acid and dioic acid to decongest pores and target acne-causing bacteria.
- Inhibits sebum production, minimises current blemishes, and helps reduce the look of post-acne hyperpigmentation.
Beauty IQ Uncensored podcast host Hannah Furst shares her Blemish & Age Defense serum review in this YouTube video below.
You'll love this if...
You want your adult acne blemish treatment and anti-ageing product in one high-perform, easy-to-use serum.
Less than $130 for what is essentially two active skincare serums in a combined formula is very reasonable.
6. SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter & Eye Cream.
Again, sorry (not sorry) for fitting both of the products in the SkinCeuticals A.G.E range into the top 10 list.
What:
- SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced is a unique treatment formulated to help prevent and correct severe signs of intrinsic (genetic) ageing in mature skin.
- The advanced formula in a creamy, hydrating base helps to prevent the glycation process that can cause structures within the skin to break down.
- SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex uses the same technology, but in a version suitable for use around the eyes.
- A 12-week controlled clinical study found twice daily use of the SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex significantly improves dark circles, puffiness, wrinkles and crow's feet specific to the thin skin around the eyes.
You'll love these if...
Your primary skin concern is signs of premature ageing like fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and loss of elasticity.
The SkinCeuticals A.G.E products are on the spendy side, but worth it if suited to your skin concerns.
Shop SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter & Eye Cream:
5. SkinCeuticals Retexturing Activator.
- Maybe the most unique exfoliating serum in that it doesn't contain any exfoliating acids!
- Proven to surpasses the results of a 20% daily glycolic treatment, without the use of any irritating acid or vitamin A resurfacing ingredients.
- Hydrates and gently exfoliates to smooth skin texture while also reinforcing the skin barrier.
- Suitable for all skin types, including those who find traditional exfoliants irritating.
You'll love this if...
Your skin has been burnt (figuratively, or literally) by exfoliating acids before, but you still want to work on rough skin texture and uneven skin tone.
Bonus points for being a resurfacing treatment suitable for more sensitised skin types, too!
This is why Joanna recently listed SkinCeuticals Retexturing Activator as one of her all-time holy grail serums.
4. SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0.
- The SkinCeuticals retinol treatment is one of the most popular vitamin A products on Adore Beauty!
- Contains 1.0% retinol, which is a potent percentage (not for beginners).
- Despite being strong, calming chamomile and encapsulated retinol to release the retinol slowly both minimise the risk of inflammation in the skin.
- SkinCeuticals retinols come in beginner, medium and strong strengths (SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3% and SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5) so you can start at the lowest and work your way up to the next strength when your skin feels ready.
Senior Editor Amy breaks down the difference between our top retinol products (including this one) in the YouTube video below.
You'll love this if...
It's time to take your retinol training wheels off!
Graduate to this super potent but sophisticated product that'll manage everything from uneven skin tone and texture, the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and even blemishes and acne scarring.
Think of it as your one-and-done PM treatment, just don't overdo it and always wear sunscreen in the morning!
3. SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF.
- A potent oil-free vitamin C serum that contains 15 per cent L-ascorbic acid.
- Also contains ferulic acid, 0.5 per cent silymarin and 0.5 per cent salicylic acid.
- Specifically for oily and blemish-prone skin.
- This serum has been clinically proven to:
- Reduce oil oxidation (which can lead to breakouts) by up to 76 per cent.
- Reduce oiliness by 16 per cent in one week.
- Improve the look of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation by 13 per cent in four weeks.
- Improve overall skin appearance by 41 per cent in eight weeks.
You'll love this if...
Vitamin C serums usually break you out, and you're yet to try one that agrees with your blemish-prone skin.
Looking to fade acne scarring marks and even out your skin tone, without causing further inflammation and breakouts?
Give this spicy ham serum a go!
2. SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF.
- Phloretin CF contains 10 per cent L-ascorbic, ferulic acid and phloretin (instead of vitamin E like the C E Ferulic serum we'll touch on in a sec).
- Benefits include improved appearance of skin discolouration and fine lines, and radiance without irritation.
- Phloretin CF is best suited to oily, normal and combination skin types.
- This serum is oil-free, but still has a strong scent and slight yellow colour.
We explain the difference between the SkinCeuticals vitamin C serums in this YouTube video below.
You'll love this if...
You have oily skin prone to hyperpigmentation, and have tried the iconic C E Ferulic serum everyone raves about but didn't get the hype.
It's a favourite of Beauty IQ Uncensored podcast host Hannah Furst. She actually prefers it to C E Ferulic.
1. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum.
- C E Ferulic contains a vitamin C content of 15 per cent L-ascorbic, vitamin E and ferulic acid.
- Benefits include improved appearance of visible signs of ageing, and a brightened complexion.
- Oily, combo or acne-prone skin types may find this serum too irritating.
- This serum has a strong meaty scent (but the product is so good, no one cares), a slightly oily consistency and a yellow colour.
You'll love this if...
You have normal to dry skin and want a best-in-class vitamin C serum for a brighter, more even-looking complexion.
From Kate Morris to Senior Editor Amy Clark, it's rare to hear a bad word about this cult serum.
Be warned: Once you go C E Ferulic, it's very hard to go back!
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