Skinmedica and Skinceuticals are two of the most well known and popular brands of skincare products that consider themselves to be cosmeceuticals.
I’m going to compare Skinmedica and Skinceuticals retinol products, cleanser, eye creams and sunscreen but first lets take a look at some of the brands most well known products in this table.
Contents
Comparison table
Cosmeceuticals
A relatively new industry term that combines the terms cosmetic and pharmaceutical into a new word—cosmeceuticals.
The basis for this new definition of skincare products is the scientific approach in formulating the ingredients, their chemically active properties and the proven scientific evidence of their efficacy as a pharmaceutical type product.
Although the FDA does not officially recognise the distinction of a product as being cosmeceutical, the term has been coined by the cosmetics industry in an attempt to reflect the pharmaceutical or medicinal-type benefits available from these products.
The various cosmetics companies have there own scientific evidence of the efficacy of the active ingredients in these so called cosmeceutical products.
There are also a number of satisfied customers who will attest to the fact of their experience that these products do indeed work, although that isn’t always the case.
Who owns Skinmedica?
Skinmedica is owned by Allergan, the company best known as the maker of Botox. Allergen also create the only FDA approved Latisse lash Serum.
Who owns Skinceuticals?
Skinceuticals is owned by cosmetics giant L’oreal who need no further introduction.
Skinceuticals vs Skinmedica Product Range
Both of these brands have about 50-60 products in their skincare lines, with an impressive assortment of creams and lotions, retinol products, serums and potions for cleansing, protecting and rejuvenating skin in every part of the body from head to toe.
There are numerous broadly similar and comparable products, comparable in the sense that they are intended to produce the same or similar results.
Each brand of course has its own unique formulas and ingredients that are used to produce their products.
Skinceuticals vs Skinmedica Retinol Comparison
Skinmedica have created a retinol complex formula that you can find in 0.25,0.5 and 1 complex dilutions. Retinol is an intensive anti-ageing ingredient so we would recommend you start with the 0.25 complex, the weakest formula and see how it reacts on your skin.
In contrast Skinceuticals weakest retinol formula is the 0.30 complex and their range also includes 0.5 and 1 dilutions.
Skinmedica used to only produce the 0.5 and 1 dilutions of retinol but they recently added 0.25 most likely because retinol is strong and some users, especially people with sensitive skin, need the weaker formula.
Both Skinmedica and Skinceuticals retinol formulas are popular, but before using Retinol I would always recommend considering the following information.
Retinoids, know as retinol, according to this article by the Harvard Edu, can help you produce more collagen and also may stimulate the growth of new blood vessels in your face, which may improve your skin colour.
However, Retinoids takes a long time to have a visible affect on wrinkles, with it potentially taking more than 6 months. This is a really long time if you are looking to hide those wrinkles away quickly.
Unfortunately retinol, especially in higher concentrations, can cause dry skin and could cause you to burn more easily in sunlight. That is why dermatologists always recommend, applying small doses infrequently to see how your skin respond over time.
Price and availability
Both of these brands are pricey, with Skinmedica firmly at the luxury end of the price scale. Skinceuticals are slightly more affordable but still bear a hefty price tag for daily use cosmetics.
Skinmedica prices range from $30-40 up to a whopping $500, while Skinceuticals products range from $20-30 up to $300.
The Skinceuticals website advises of 3 ways to buy their products; From an authorized skincare professional, direct from their website or from an authorized online retailer, of which there are 8 :- dermstore, lovelyskin, skincarerx, skinstore, bluemercury, regimenmd, skintypesolutions and theskinspot but you could more easily find them on amazon in our table at the top of this article.
Skinmedica products are also available directly from their website or from an authorized skincare professional.
Interestingly Skinmedica do not provide a list of authorized online retailers, however they do provide a list of unauthorized online retailers, about 80 in all, which I will not list but clearly there are a number of potentially counterfeit or outdated products being sold online.
So caution is advised as with any cosmetic or cosmeceutical product, when buying online other than from the official site or an authorised online retailer.
Skin medica and Skinceuticals Product Comparison
Although it is not possible to make an exact product match comparison between the 2 brands, 2 products that compare well are Skinceuticals C.E. Ferulic + 15%-LAscorbic acid and Skinmedica TNS Essential Serum.
Skinmedica TNS Serum describes itself as being an all-in-one skin rejuvenating serum that improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, skin tone and texture.
Skinceuticals C.E. Ferulic + 15%-LAscorbic acid says it is A patented daytime vitamin C serum that delivers advanced environmental protection and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness, and brightens skin’s complexion.
Now clinically proven to reduce combined oxidative damage from free radicals generated by UV, Ozone, and Diesel Exhaust by up to 41%
How to use Skinceuticals and Skinmedica
Skinmedica TNS Essential Serum consists of 2 products in 2 separate chambers within the bottle and a separate pump dispensing unit for each chamber.
The 2 products, TNS Recovery Complex and APS Corrective Complex are housed separately because they behave differently and have slightly different properties when premixed and stored as a single serum.
To use the TNS Essential Serum you dispense one pump’s worth of each of the 2 serums onto the back of your hand and mix them prior to applying to the skin.
With the TNS Serum you have the choice to use only the Recovery Complex or indeed the Corrective Complex, or you can mix them as you wish according to your needs and preferences.
Skinmedica suggest using twice daily for best results and they say visible improvements to your skin start to happen in about 30 days. TNS Essential serum comes in a 100ml bottle and costs a staggering $280.
There are plenty of customer reviews confirming it does indeed work, although it may not work so well for everyone and it is a major investment in order to find out if it will work for you.
Skinceuticals C.E. Ferulic + 15%-LAscorbic acid is supplied in a single bottle and comes with a traditional dropper built into the lid. To use the product you simply apply 4 or 5 drops onto your hand, dab onto your skin and massage in.
Skinceuticals suggest applying the product once a day first thing in the morning after washing and drying your face.
There are some pictures and reports of scientific evidence that the product does work and again, plenty of positive customer reviews.
Skinceuticals C.E. Ferulic + 15%-LAscorbic acid is also available in 100ml bottle and costs a less staggering but still wobbly $166.
Which is better Skinceuticals or Skinmedica
I strongly suggest you seek advice from a skincare professional before choosing one of these products and considering the very hefty price tags I would suggest that obtaining professional advice is of paramount importance, unless you can easily afford such an expensive product that may not be well suited to your skin.
There are of course less expensive products available from within both brands, but nothing comes cheap with either brand, as for example Skinmedica Ultra Sheer or Rejuvenative Moisturisers are priced at around $60 for 2oz. and Skinceuticals Daily Moisturiser is usually priced above $60 for a 2oz jar.
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