There are plenty of skincare brands out there, but one I find flies under the radar is SkinCeuticals. Their mission is simple: improve skin health. The brand has worked alongside dermatologists to develop products that protect, calm and overall improve skin. Since I’ve seen a ton of chatter lately about their best-selling products, I roped in PureWow editors to test and review this classic brand. The results? Nine products that are worth your money.
PureWow Editors Spent 12 Weeks Testing the Best SkinCeuticals Products—Here Are 9 Items That Made the Cut
Including serums, creams and more
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Published Jul 15, 2025
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PureWow/Getty Images/Skinceuticals
The Best SkinCeuticals Products at a Glance
1
Most Firming
SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan Serum
read more
2
Most Hydrating
SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel
read more
3
Great for Neck
SkinCeuticals TriPeptide-R Neck Repair Cream
read more
4
Best Vitamin C
SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic Vitamin C Serum
read more
5
Great for Dull Skin
SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Vitamin C Serum
read more
How We Tested the Best SkinCeuticals Products
Although SkinCeuticals has a ton of skincare products, I focused on their 20 best-sellers. From there, I made a call for editors to choose from my list and spent over three months trying their products. Each tester was tasked with documenting their experience, analyzing the quality, their skin improvement and the overall value.
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Most Firming
1. SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan Serum
What We Like
- fills in lines
- contours face
- little goes a long way
What We Don't Like
- expensive
SkinCeuticals
Packed with hyaluronic acid and proxylane, this serum aims to instantly plump skin by 10 percent (30 after three months) and reduce the appearance of fine lines in just 12 weeks. The gentle formula is loved for being lightweight and hydrating without pilling on the skin. According to SEO Editor Marissa Wu, the serum’s claims are true. “It delivered on the gentle contouring of the face, especially when I'm scrutinizing my face all the time. I see the most difference along my cheekbones as they seem a bit more hollowed. I feel like I'm just now seeing it in the past couple weeks or so, thus it needs some time,” she shared.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: proxylane, hylauronic acid, soybean ferment extract, licorice root extract
- Best for: fine lines, wrinkles, dullness
Most Hydrating
2. SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel
What We Like
- gentle formula
- offers a boost of hydration
- little goes a long way
What We Don't Like
- strong scent
- expensive
SkinCeuticals
This gel serum is made for locking in moisture for supple skin results. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5, which refreshes skin and provides much needed hydration. Although the brand recommends 2 to 3 drops, Wu found a little goes a long way in boosting dehydrated skin. “It offers so much moisture that you don't need the recommended number of drops unless that's the only thing you're putting on your face besides moisturizer. The results are also pretty instant. It helped reduce visibility of the lines on my forehead,” she told me.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5
- Best for: dryness, hyperigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles
Great for Neck
3. SkinCeuticals TriPeptide-R Neck Repair Cream
What We Like
- non-sticky formula
- blends in easily
- hydrating
- improved crepey skin temporarily
What We Don't Like
- no dramatic results for wrinkles
SkinCeuticals
Raise your hand if you neglect your neck while doing your skincare routine. Well, this cream targets the delicate skin using 0.2 percent of retinol to soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Meanwhile the inclusion of peptides and Glaucine (yellow poppy seed plant) adds firmness and improves skin texture over time. For VP of Editorial Candace Davison, the cream made some slight improvements in the last couple of weeks. “My neck appeared less crepey and dull for hours after using it. I had been hoping for a more dramatic impact on my horizontal neck lines, but I'd say they're aligned with SkinCeuticals's finding of a 16 percent improvement. My skin appeared a bit firmer and plumper, so the finest lines were less dramatic, but I didn't see as much of a difference in my deeper neck lines. It took just a week or so to start noticing results,” she shared. “The moisturizing effect has also been great for making my skin appear dewier. The slow-release retinol was pretty gentle on my skin, too—I didn't have any issues using it daily,” she wrote.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: retinol, tripeptide, galucine
- Best for: hyperpigmentation, firmness, crepey skin
Best Vitamin C
4. SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic Vitamin C Serum
What We Like
- quick-drying
- gentle on skin
- boosts firmness
- leaves skin glowy
What We Don't Like
- strong scent
- expensive
SkinCeuticals
If you’re searching for the best SkinCeuticals products, look no further than this vitamin C serum. It currently has 5,000 raving reviews on Dermstore and a stamp of approval from PW editors. It has a combination of ferulic acid, vitamin C and vitamin E, which aims to protect your skin against environmental damage (i.e, sun and pollution), reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles *and* brighten your complexion. (And FYI, it’s pregnancy safe.) But don’t take my word for it. “At $185 for a 30-ml bottle, this serum is a serious investment. But after committing to it for six weeks, I see why so many dermatologists recommend it. My skin immediately felt a bit tighter, firmer and glowier after just a few uses. I've tried a bunch of other vitamin C serums and creams over the years, and they didn't seem to do much, if anything (beyond making my skin smell like hot dog water). When I paired this serum with my moisturizer, my skin felt a bit tauter (but not tight) and looked dewier for much longer throughout the day,” said Davison.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid
- Best for: dullness, dryness
Great for Dull Skin
5. SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Vitamin C Serum
What We Like
- lightweight
- protects skin
- non-sticky formula
- layers easily under SPF and makeup
What We Don't Like
- strong scent
- subtle results
SkinCeuticals
Another vitamin C serum that should be on your radar is SkinCeuticals’s Phloretin CF. The gentle formula includes phloretin, an antioxidant that lightens discoloration and improves cell turnover. You’ll also find pure vitamin C and ferulic acid to improve fine lines, uneven skin tone and discoloration. Assistant Editor of News & Entertainment Danielle Long didn’t see a difference at first, but after a few weeks of testing began noticing an improvement in the glow department. “It promises smoother texture and less discoloration, which I didn’t really notice—but I do think it’s helping to protect my skin and slow down any early signs of aging. I’ve been outside a lot—sweating, dealing with questionable air quality and soaking up the sun. Normally, that kind of exposure messes with my skin (think: dullness, congestion, the works). But surprisingly, my skin has stayed pretty balanced. I feel like that speaks to the product’s claims of protecting against environmental stressors by ‘neutralizing harmful free radicals,’” she shared.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: phloretin, vitamin C, ferulic acid
- Best for: acne, hyperpigmentation, sun damage
Best Sunscreen
6. SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50
What We Like
- SPF 50
- sheer finish
- gentle formula
What We Don't Like
- slight white cast
SkinCeuticals
I’m particular when it comes to my face sunscreen. I’ve tried loads where it left my skin looking and feeling greasy—and don’t get me started on the chalky finish. Thankfully, this one eased my worries. It has five percent of zinc oxide and 6 percent of titanium dioxide (a mineral SPF filter) to protect my skin against UVA and UVB rays. Although it’s marketed as a ‘universal tint,’ I did notice a subtle white cast and it took a minute to rub in. However, I did not panic as it slowly absorbed and reduced any redness I had on my cheeks. The sheer finish also made my combo skin super happy. It felt super lightweight and I found no excess oiliness at the end of the day. And with a SPF 50, I know my skin is protected against the NYC sun.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: zinc oxide, tianium dioxide, dimethicone
- Best for: hyperpigmentation, sun damage
Best Cleanser
7. SkinCeuticals Simply Clean Cleanser
What We Like
- great for oily and combination skin
- hydrating
- softens skin
What We Don't Like
- mild lather
SkinCeuticals
This gel cleanser was made for oily and combination skin in mind. It has a fruit acid blend that gently exfoliates and removes dead skin cells. The formula also has botanical extracts and chamomile to soothe and calm the skin. I’ve used cleansers in the past where they strip away my natural oils, but this cleanser did the complete opposite. It cleared away any dirt, oil and/or makeup, while hydrating and softening my skin. I used it in the morning and night and it did wonders in keeping my skin supple and radiant. I also appreciate that it has no lasting scent and has a mild lather which is enough to see it working its magic.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: aloe vera, ahas, amino acids, essential oils
- Best for: hyperpigmentation, large pores, oiliness
8. SkinCeuticals A.G.E Interrupter Advanced Cream
What We Like
- nice botantical scent
- soothing texture
- long-lasting
What We Don't Like
- temporarily reddens sensitive skin
- too thick for super-sweaty weather
- pricey
SkinCeuticals
Reviewers and editors alike are giving this face cream high praises for smoothing visible lines and wrinkles and offering 24 hours of hydration. It’s formulated with 18 percent of ProxylaneTM, a synthetic molecule that works to improve elasticity and hydration. In 12 weeks, Senior Editor Dana Dickey discovered it's unlike any other product she's used before. "It doesn't sting, burn or tingle when you put it on—but that doesn't mean it's not doing heavy-duty work. I noticed crepey eye area skin smoothed after a month, and small laugh lines appeared less noticeable. Also, the marionette lines on either side of my mouth appears less deep," she explained. "I used it twice a day—that's another plus, that you can use it during the day without fear of skin damage, like with some more acid-forward skin treatments. Right away upon application, you can feel the plumping mechanism of the cream."
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: proxylanetm, glycyrrhetinic acid, niacinamide
- Best for: mature skin, fine lines, deep wrinkles
9. SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye Cream
What We Like
- hydrating
- lightweight
- cooling
- little goes a long way
What We Don't Like
- can experience a slight tingle
Skinceuticals
One of the most searched and best Skinceuticals products out there has to be the A.G.E. Advanced Eye Cream. The brand did clinical studies that showed significant improvement in eight weeks. Formulated with seven percent of ProxylaneTM, the key ingredient targets crow’s feet, dark circles and puffiness. You’ll also find peptides and caffeine to brighten the delicate area. Editorial Assistant Courtney Mason noticed a difference around three weeks, sharing, "I have pretty dark circles under my eyes, and I noticed they were visibly lighter after a few uses. The cream felt very hydrating, and while I don't have any wrinkles to combat, I could still tell that my skin was slightly smoother and taut. Overall, my experience using this eye cream was great, and I can't wait to continue using it in my routine."
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: proxylanetm, glycyrrhetinic acid, matrixyl 3000
- Best for: crow's feet, puffiness, dark circles
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Most Popular SkinCeuticals Product?
The most popular SkinCeuticals product is the C E Ferulic serum. It’s a top rated product on the brand’s website, with over 9,000 reviews and counting. It also has a huge following on Dermstore with over 5,000 raving reviews. The serum is a breakout term on Google Trends and has received award recognition—being a six time winner of Allure’s Best of Beauty Awards after all.
Do Dermatologists Recommend SkinCeuticals?
Multiple reports say dermatologists recommend SkinCeuticals to their patients. Here at PureWow, derms are constantly recommending their products. For example, Dr. Robyn Gmyrek previously shared one of their favorite vitamin C serum “meets all the criteria.”
Is SkinCeuticals Really Worth the Money?
Although some testers were against the high price point, we can all agree that the results make up for it. Whether it was to brighten our complexion, visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines or maintain moisture, SkinCeutical products are worth trying out. Just don’t expect results overnight and a little goes a long way so the luxe products will last you a while.
Why You Should Trust Us
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
