As a beauty editor, if there’s one skincare brand that I’m asked about most, it’s SkinCeuticals. “Are SkinCeuticals products really worth it?” and “Is the C E Ferulic serum actually worth investing in?” are probably the two most common questions I’m asked about the brand, and my answer is a resounding yes. And I’m not alone. There isn’t a beauty editor I know who doesn’t get excited when the conversation turns to its best-selling C E Ferulic Serum. If you pop in to any top skincare clinic, you’ll find SkinCeuticals products lining the shelves, and you’ll no doubt see the brand peppered on beauty insiders’ Instagram profiles too. You see, it’s the sort of brand that is trusted by skincare experts and beauty editors alike. It turns out that Sienna Miller and Hailey Bieber are fans, too. The brand is science-led and results-driven, so the formulations give great results, and if, like me, you have problematic skin and experience acne or eczema, there are ranges to cater to every skin type and concern. And they really work.
You’ll find a bottle of SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic on every beauty insider’s shelf.
However, with a premium price tag to match the premium formulations, these products do fall into the investment end of skincare purchases. While I don’t believe that anyone needs to spend upwards of £100 on a serum (I love an affordable yet effective beauty buy), if you’re thinking of investing in SkinCeuticals and have the budget, then there are some great products within the range to try that are worthy of their price tags.
Who What Wear contributor Monikh is a fan of SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Masque.
So to find out which SkinCeuticals products are really worth the money, I reached out to the brand for its best-selling products and listed them below alongside some of my tried-and-tested favourites.
This is SkinCeuticals’ best seller and most-loved and well-known product by far. It’s an antioxidant serum with vitamins C and E and ferulic acid, which means that it helps to combat environmental damage from pollution and day-to-day life. It has a 15% formulation of vitamin C, which helps to brighten pigmentation as well as address any fine lines. It’s a great all-rounder for all skin types and has a water-like consistency that sinks into the skin, making it great under makeup, too. But honestly, this product is so good you might find that you want to forgo it. There isn’t a beauty insider I know who hasn’t been wowed by its ability to leave the skin brighter and more radiant. It does come with a steep price tag, but if you want to invest, you won’t find a better antioxidant serum.
Hyaluronic acid is responsible for maintaining your skin’s moisture and hydration levels. If you find your skin is often dry or dehydrated, you might find that any lines or wrinkles are exacerbated. If that’s you, then you’ll benefit from this addition to your skincare routine. It contains a potent concentration of hyaluronic acid, which not only hydrates your skin but also helps to plump out crow’s feet and fine lines for a smooth skin texture. I was really impressed with how bouncy and visibly plump my skin was after a couple of weeks of using this, and my sensitive skin felt more resilient, too.
If pigmentation or acne scarring are concerns, this serum makes for a great investment to address these. Much like the C E Ferulic serum, this falls into the category of an antioxidant serum. What differentiates this from C E Ferulic is phloretin, which helps to fade and brighten dark spots, target uneven skin tone and reduce fine lines. If you want to prevent and treat pigmentation, it’s best to use this alongside a daily SPF (more on that below) to prevent further sun damage.
This is one of the newer additions to SkinCeuticals’ line-up of antioxidant serums. This one is formulated for oily, acne-prone skin types, so if you find that you experience breakouts or have excessive oil, this is the better option to go for. It contains spot-busting salicylic acid and silymarin, which work to help reduce excess sebum production and stop oil from oxidising on your skin, which can lead to premature ageing.
If your skin is compromised or stressed—think red, inflamed or irritated from overuse of skincare products—then SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore is a worthy investment. I experience eczema flare-ups from time to time, so I like to keep a pot of this on standby. Its texture is indulgently thick, creating a protective barrier over the skin. It’s particularly good if you have dry skin or want to add a protective layer to your skincare routine during the harsh weather in winter. It contains lipids and ceramides, which act to repair a broken skin barrier, giving your skin a fighting chance to repair.
Photo Corrective Gel is formulated for irritated skin or sensitive skin types that are prone to blemishes. If you find that typical acne products are too harsh on your skin, then you might find this more suitable. The gel-like consistency is cooling on application and the formula is oil-free, so it won’t feel heavy on your skin or contribute to any further breakouts if you find oil tends to break you out. It also contains hyaluronic acid to leave skin plump and hydrated.
Anyone who has experienced acne will know that it doesn’t necessarily disappear after your teenage years. In fact, acne can be persistent throughout adult life and might make a return during pregnancy or menopause. This can make treating it difficult while also trying to address signs of ageing. Thankfully, this serum addresses both acne and anti-ageing, so you don’t need to invest in two different routines for each concern. It contains dioic acid and salicylic acid to treat fine lines and reduce congestion, leaving skin feeling balanced and clear.
Retinol is one of the few ingredients proven to reduce signs of ageing, and SkinCeuticals’ is highly regarded as one of the best. If you’re a retinol beginner, this percentage is a great place to start with a 0.3% formulation. This helps to address fine lines, wrinkles, discolouration, blemishes and pores by accelerating cell turnover, leaving your skin looking brighter, more even and smoother. As with all retinol use, be sure to wear an SPF every day and gently build up from using this once a week as your skin acclimatises to retinol. Less is usually more effective at the start to avoid irritating your skin too much.
It’s estimated that between 80% and 90% of ageing is caused by UV rays. That’s not just days spent on holiday but UV exposure that we encounter every day, even if it’s cloudy and we’re sitting near a window inside. It’s a scary thought, right? Therefore, using a good SPF daily will help protect your skin from ageing and, more importantly, the sinister effects of the sun. SPF can be a faff to wear, though, but SkinCeuticals’ formula is lightweight and sits nicely underneath makeup. I’d say this is ideal for dry, normal or combination skin types, as it has a creamy, moisturising formula.
This hydrating serum contains a combination of vitamin B5, which helps to repair the skin barrier, and hyaluronic acid, which intensely hydrates the skin. This is a great everyday hydrating serum to use after cleansing and before applying your moisturiser and is suitable for all skin types. I’m prone to oiliness during the summer, and the gel formula sinks straight in, so I’m not left with any residue.
This is the latest addition to SkinCeuticals’ skincare roster, and it has been designed to treat dark spots and redness associated with hyperpigmentation. (Think dark marks left from stubborn blemishes.) It contains azelaic acid and arbutin, which helps to balance the skin and leave your complexion brighter and even-toned.
