All The Must-Try Skinceuticals Products, According to One Skincare-Obsessed Beauty Editor

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I'm a huge fan of Skinceuticals skincare. In my 10+ year career as a beauty editor, I've tried nearly all the top-rated and best-selling products from the brand. Not only are Skinceuticals products formulated with high-quality and efficacious ingredients, they're backed by science and loved by dermatologists and aestheticians—pretty much the perfect combo when it comes to good skincare IMO. That said, Skinceuticals products are pricey (the majority cost $100 or more), so definitely an investment and not something you'd buy on a whim without reading a few reviews or doing some research first. This is precisely why I created this roundup of the best Skinceuticals products, which highlights 13 must-try picks that are absolutely worth the $$. Here's a quick preview:

Keep reading for my full ranking (complete with reviews and key ingredient info) of the best Skinceuticals products to try in 2024. Ahead, you'll find potent antioxidant serums, hydrating serums, anti-aging wrinkle creams, an oil-free moisturizer, a light-as-air face sunscreen, and more.

C E Ferulic

You can't talk about Skinceuticals without talking about C E Ferulic. The cult-classic vitamin C serum is a derm favorite and consistently tops "best of" skincare lists for quite a few good reasons. Firstly, the ingredients in the formula are top notch. It contains a combo of l-ascorbic acid (one of the most stable, well-studied forms of vitamin C), vitamin E, and ferulic acid to protect skin from environmental damage (i.e. UV exposure, pollution, and blue light). These ingredients are also excellent at correcting and preventing signs of aging, like dark spots and fine lines. And very cool fact: C E Ferulic stays active for 72 hours after you dab it on, even after washing your face.

• Key ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid

• Size: 1 oz

Phloretin CF

While C E Ferulic is widely considered the GOAT of vitamin C serums, there's actually a better option from Skinceuticals for those of us with oily skin like myself. Enter Phloretin CF, a reformulated version of C E Ferulic that's a bit lighter than the OG. It's got l-ascorbic acid and ferulic acid to provide environmental protection and lighten dark spots, as well as phloretin—an antioxidant that increases cell turnover to reduce skin discoloration. I've used Phloretin for years and it's never broken me out or clogged my pores...it just makes my skin ultra-glowy and bright.

• Key ingredients: Vitamin C, ferulic acid, phloretin

• Size: 1 oz

Blemish + Age Defense

Another iconic serum from Skinceuticals, Blemish + Age Defense is uniquely formulated for those of us dealing with breakouts and early signs of aging—which seems to be just about everyone in their late 20s and early 30s these days. AHAs and BHAs help nix pore-clogging and dulling dead skin cells, resulting in clearer, smoother, and brighter skin, while 2 percent dioic acid helps minimize excess sebum. In my testing experience, this is an excellent daytime face serum for acne-prone skin (it's lightweight, layers great with other products, and isn't rendered inactive by sunlight), plus it's pretty gentle as far as acid-based serums go.

• Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, dioic acid, lipo-hydroxy acid

• Size: 1 oz

Retinol 0.5

I've tested hundreds of over-the-counter retinols during my career, and I always come back to this cream option from Skinceuticals. It's the perfect mix of efficacious and gentle, meaning it visibly smooths fine lines and improves skin texture, but it doesn't make my face all dried out and flaky. Plus, the formula comes in three different strengths (0.3, 0.5, and 1.0) so it's ideal whether you're a retinol newb or seasoned user.

• Key ingredients: Retinol, bisabolol

• Size: 1 oz

Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier

This hyaluronic acid serum is in a league of its own. Not only does it draw moisture to the skin for long-lasting hydration, it's got some serious smoothing and plumping benefits too. In addition to hyaluronic acid, the formula contains Proxylane (a proprietary Skinceuticals ingredient), licorice root extract, and purple rice extract to maintain moisture levels and help firm loose skin and soften the look of wrinkles. I especially like combining this with the retinol cream above to mitigate any dryness and give my skin a little extra plumpness.

• Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Proxylane, licorice root extract, purple rice extract

• Size: 1 oz

Phyto A+ Brightening Treatment

If you're dealing with breakouts and the resulting dark spots they leave behind, this lightweight, oil-free brightening moisturizer should 100 percent be on your radar. It's got azelaic acid to reduce pimples and excess oil, along with alpha arbutin to even out your skin tone and plant-based soothers to nix inflammation.

If you have dry skin, this may not be moisturizing enough on it's own (so I recommend using it more like a serum and layering something thicker on top), but for anyone with oily or combo skin the gel-cream texture is *chef's kiss*.

• Key ingredients: Azelaic acid, alpha arbutin, botanical blend

• Size: 1 oz

Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50

This mineral sunscreen with SPF 50 feels like a literal dream on skin. It has a liquid texture that's zero percent greasy or thick—plus it has a transparent, universal tint so it seamlessly blends into skin without any white or gray cast. It's also non-comedogenic (aka tested to not clog pores) and water-resistant for up to 40 minutes. I use it as the last step in my skincare routine on no-makeup makeup days (for me, the transparent tint helps diffuse discoloration and redness a bit) and as one of my go-t0 SPFs on beach and pool days too.

• Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, plankton extract

• Size: 1.7 oz

Phyto Corrective Essence Mist

Skinceuticals' Phyto Corrective collection is genius for anyone with sensitive skin. People love the Phyto Corrective Gel and Phyto Corrective Mask for calming down inflammation, but I live and die by the Phyto Corrective Face Mist. It immediately reduces redness and blotchiness with a blend of cucumber, thyme, olive leaf, and rosemary and also helps hydrate skin with hyaluronic acid and glycerin too. Plus, it's so easy to incorporate into any skincare routine. I like to spritz it on clean skin after washing my face, let it soak in for a sec or two, and then continue with the rest of of my serums and moisturizers.

• Key ingredients: Cucumber extract, rosemary extract, thyme extract, hyaluronic acid, glycerin

• Size: 1.7 oz

A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced Anti-Wrinkle Cream

Yes, this Cosmo beauty award-winning anti-aging cream is pricey, but testers (myself included) agree that it's worth every dollar. It helps visibly correct signs of aging—like fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging—that are a result of collagen decline with a blend of reparative and smoothing ingredients. And thanks to the presence of antioxidants, it can even help defend skin from future signs of aging too. As for the texture, it's a luxe, super-decadent cream that immediately cocoons skin in a layer of thick moisture.

• Key ingredients: Proxylane, niacinamide, flavonoids, HEPES

• Size: 1.7 0z

Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

This ultra-rich face cream is loved by derms and tops Cosmo's list of best ceramide moisturizers for 2024. Experts say it's formulated to be bio-identical to the lipids found the skin barrier and that it has even been found to shorten the adjustment period to retinol and retinoids by nurturing the skin barrier. Basically, it's a must-try if you use strong actives, have sensitive skin in need of some TLC, or are spending any time in a cold, dry climate.

• Key ingredients: Ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids, vitamin E

• Size: 1.6 oz

A.G.E. Advanced Eye

Crow's feet, dark circles, puffiness, dryness...this do-it-all eye cream effectively tackles all the most annoying under-eye issues. The rich, balm-like formula contains peptides, caffeine, antioxidants, and optical light diffusers to make your eye area look more wide-awake and refreshed. Cosmo beauty editor Beth Gillette is also a fan of this eye cream and says that she "loves the rich, emollient texture and how it makes my normally dry eye area look so smooth and plump."

• Key ingredients: Proxylane, peptides, caffeine, fruit flavonoids

• Size: 0.5 oz

Hydrating B5 Gel

This gel-like serum has been around for ages but is continually recommended by derms and skincare experts for its superior hydrating benefits. The combo of hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 provides long-lasting (and ultra lightweight) moisturization and helps improve skin barrier function for skin that's plump and dewy. It's great when layered with other serums since it soaks into skin super quick—or you can use it as a booster (just add a few drops into your existing moisturizer) for a lil extra hydration during the day.

• Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5

• Size: 1 oz

LHA Cleanser Gel

Skinceuticals makes a ton of truly excellent face washes, but I'm partial to this clarifying gel for oily and/or congested skin. It removes makeup with a blend of surfactants and also helps dissolve the dead skin cells and buildup that gets stuck in pores with exfoliating acids. The result? Skin that's nice and clean and less prone to blackheads and breakouts, but not at all tight or stripped feeling. FWIW, this cleanser does contain sulfates, but my skin doesn't mind them in this formula. That said, if your oily skin is super sensitive or you're just anti-sulfates in general, I'd suggest trying Skinceuticals' Simply Clean Gel Cleanser instead.

• Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, lipo hydroxy acid, glycolic acid

• Size: 8 oz

Why trust Cosmopolitan?

Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from the best body washes for acne-prone skin to the best anti-aging serums. She regularly tests and analyzes new skincare products, while working with the industry’s top experts to assess new formulas and brands.

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