The 10 Best SkinCeuticals Products, According to Editors
The 'Marie Claire' team swears by these serums, moisturizers, and treatments.
Of all of the skincare brands out there, few are as universally loved as SkinCeuticals. From cult-favorite face serums to a range of retinol creams, editors, celebrities, and dermatologists alike sing the medical-grade brand's praises.
Simply put, few other brands handle skincare the way SkinCeuticals does skincare. For starters, the brand is truly backed by science, meaning every product has been extensively researched and clinically tested to ensure next-level results. Another trait I love about SkinCeuticals is its commitment to transparency: For each product listed on its site, you can read up on the science behind its key ingredients and a full ingredient list. (That way, you know exactly what you're putting on your face.) A vast majority of their products are free of parabens, fragrances, alcohol, and dyes, while all of their products use pharmaceutical-grade ingredients.
Another major win for the brand? Their massive inventory. Whether you're dealing with acne, dryness, or signs of aging, SkinCeuticals has a collection of products to address your concern. To ease you into their vast array of products, Marie Claire editors gathered our absolute favorite products, along with top-rated picks for you to try. On this list, you'll find top-notch moisturizers, eye creams, cleansers, and a bunch of serums that guarantee results for any skin type or concern.
"I'll be honest, I didn't want to believe the hype around the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum. My only issue now is that I wish I would have used it sooner. When I tell you that my skin transformed after only a few uses, I mean it. I had (what I thought were) deeply-rooted scars from previous breakouts and slight discoloration from time spent in the sun, and this powerful little product made them look less noticeable before doing away with some spots altogether. I apply five drops in the morning underneath my daily moisturizer and SPF. Aside from all the good-for-skin benefits, it also gives my skin a serious glow. I worry about when this runs out, because I don't know how my skin will function without it." — Julia Marzovilla, Fashion E-Commerce Editor
Pros: Firming; Boosts skin's radiance; Great for all skin types; Reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles; Protects against free radicals.
"I have now gone through half a jar of this moisturizer and my skin has legitimately never looked better. Of course, I can't definitively say it's because of this moisturizer but nonetheless, it's been a game-changer. I've been using it nightly for about four months now and my skin has never felt so plump, smooth, and tight. It's a rich, fast-absorbing cream, which is why I only use it at night when I want to soak my skin in moisture. This cream has also been a godsend for my foray into retinol—after a too-strong serum left my skin in a red, flaky mess, this moisturizer brought my skin back to normal in just a day or two." — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Pros: Great for all skin types; Fast-absorbing; Improves skin texture; Boosts skin's radiance; Improves the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
Cons: Contains fragrance.
"My winter skincare routine is all about maximizing hydration, preserving my skin barrier, and minimizing dry patches. The solution, year after year, is without a doubt SkinCeutical's HA Intensifier. It has multiple HA weights, so the hydration goes deep into the skin and moisturizes on all levels. The texture is a bit tacky, but it dries down fairly quickly and leaves my skin feeling and looking much more supple." — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
Pros: Deeply hydrating; Firming; Great for all skin types; Improves skin texture.
"I like SkinCeuticals' retinol for a couple of reasons. I have very sensitive skin and rosacea, but this is powerful without being too inflammatory. It also contains calming ingredients (including bisabolol) to make it even easier on my skin. A lot of retinol creams and serums also use a lecithin that I’m allergic to—not this one! If I ever wanted to upgrade to their Retinol 1.0, I would feel good doing it, but this is the gentle formula that I turn to every night." — Katherine J. Igoe, Contributing Writer
Pros: Great for retinol beginners; Improves the look of fine lines and wrinkles; Formulated to minimize irritation commonly associated with the use of retinol creams.
"There are a handful of eye creams on my desk that tout themselves as the best for crows feet, dark circles, and reducing puffiness, but none of them get the job done. I find myself going back to this glycyrrhetinic acid and Matrixyl 3000 mashup that restores the skin around my eyes without the greasy, tacky feeling other creams provide. There’s also a small dose of caffeine that makes my eyes look alive long after a midday slump." — Deena Campbell, Beauty Director
Pros: Depuffs; Firming; Deeply hydrating; Improves the look of fine lines and wrinkles; Boosts skin's radiance.
Cons: Takes a longer time to see results.
"While C E Ferulic is Skinceuticals’ hero product, any oily-skinned fan of the brand will tell you they’re team Silymarin CF. This serum works just as hard as C E Ferulic, but is formulated specifically for acne-prone skin. When I’m putting a liquid gold-level product on my face, I’m always hesitant to layer on separate acne-fighting topicals, and this formula makes it so that I don’t have to. You’ll quickly notice you’re getting all the glow without the grease that so often comes with it." — Lucia Tonelli, Associate Director of Social Media
Pros: Improves skin texture; Reduces blemishes; Improves the look of fine lines and wrinkles; Protects against free radicals.
Cons: Takes a longer time to see results.
"If, like me, you deal with dull skin tone from tiredness, lack of sunlight, or an (admittedly) neglected diet, you may be in the market for a brightening serum like this one—so long as you ensure you sort the aforementioned factors out, too. This potent formula is made of one percent reservatrol, which strengthens the skin barrier so that you're protected from pollutants and free radicals, and it also contains refreshing antioxidants that bolster the look and feel of tired, dull skin. It's one of my go-to's, no matter the season, and helps whether I'm dealing with harsh winter wind or salty, drying beach air." — Gabrielle Ulubay, Beauty Writer
Pros: Firming; Boosts skin's radiance; Protects against free radicals.
Cons: Caused some reviewers negative reactions.
"I've been dealing with acne since I was a teenager, experiencing especially bad breakouts when I'm stressed or getting my period. Few remedies have made a true difference in triaging my whiteheads and blackheads, and salicylic acid-based options often dry out my combination skin to the point that it feels painful and, ironically, leads to an overproduction of sebum (read: more blackouts). This serum from Skinceuticals is the product I've been waiting for. It eliminates breakouts in record time (overnight, in many cases!), but it doesn't dry out my skin and result in hyperpigmentation." — Gabrielle Ulubay, Beauty Writer
Pros: Reduces and prevents blemishes; Improves the look of fine lines and wrinkles; Improves skin texture; Reduces oil production.
Cons: Some reviewers note a strong smell.
"For those with sensitive skin, redness and irritation can occur at the drop of a hat. For a quick solution, SkinCeuticals' Phyto Corrective Gel is your best bet. This gel serum uses botanical ingredients like thyme, olive, and cucumber to smooth and calm skin. With the addition of hyaluronic acid, it also doubles as a moisturizing serum in case you need a moisture boost. Maybe you've got some intense inflammation from acne or rosacea. Maybe you've got some irritation from a retinoid. Or maybe you just got a procedure done. This is the serum you can count on to calm your skin back down to normal." — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Pros: Calming; Hydrating; Boosts skin's radiance; Great for all skin types.
Cons: Contains fragrance.
"We all can't get chemical peels every other week, but this serum is the next best thing for brightening dark spots. Whether your dark spots come from the sun or breakouts, this tackles the most stubborn of spots. The formula's star ingredient is 3 percent tranexamic acid, a synthetically derived ingredient that prevents irregular skin discolorations and brightens existing ones. Meanwhile, kojic acid and niacinamide work to provide even more brightening powers and hepes work to evenly exfoliate. It's suited for all skin types and tones too, even darker tones that are more prone to hyperpigmentation." — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Pros: Boosts skin's radiance; Improves the look of dark spots.
Cons: Takes a longer time to see results.
