Which One Is Proper For You? – Lovely With Brains

SkinMedica vs. SkinCeuticals Retinol: Which One is Value Your Cash?

Whenever you’re dropping severe money on medical-grade skincare, you wish to know for certain that you just’re choosing the right one. SkinMedica and. SkinCeuticals each have Retinol merchandise that promise smoother pores and skin, fewer breakouts, and anti-aging magic. However which one really delivers one of the best outcomes to your pores and skin kind?

If you happen to’re torn between these two high-end retinol merchandise, you’re in all probability asking:

• Which one works higher for zits?
• Which one is gentler on delicate pores and skin?
• Do the components really justify the value?
• Which one offers quicker outcomes?

This information breaks all of it down, so you may put money into the one that may really deserve a spot in YOUR skincare routine.

Retinol 101: How It Works & Why Your Pores and skin Wants

Earlier than we go model vs. model, right here’s a fast retinol refresher:

Retinol is a type of Vitamin A that’s even confirmed to forestall AND scale back wrinkles. Right here’s the whole lot it does:

• Hurries up cell turnover (the pores and skin’s pure exfoliating course of) to fade away darkish spots and scale back the looks of tremendous traces
• Boosts collagen manufacturing, the protein that retains pores and skin agency and clean (the extra collagen your pores and skin has, the youthful you look)
• Fights free radicals and neutralises them earlier than they can provide you wrinkles
• Treats zits by serving to pores and skin exfoliate quicker, so clogs can’t kind

The catch? Highly effective = irritating in skincare. Retinol does all this, however may cause irritations once you first begin utilizing it, particularly in case your pores and skin is delicate.

Each SkinMedica and SkinCeuticals use pure retinol. That makes them extremely efficient. It additionally means they’ll irritate pores and skin if it isn’t used to retinol.

Associated: The Full Information To Retinol In Skincare

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Frequent Substances: The Shared Superpowers

Each SkinMedica and SkinCeuticals have some energetic components​ of their formulations. 

RETINOL (VITAMIN A)

​I’ll be temporary, as we’ve partly coated this. The star of the present and the gold customary of anti-aging, retinol is sort of a private coach to your pores and skin cells. It accelerates cell turnover, smooths out wrinkles, and will help clear up zits by stopping clogged pores. Research reveals it additionally enhance collagen manufacturing for firmer pores and skin. Whereas it’s at it,  it additionally inhibits enzymes that break down collagen, so pores and skin stays youthful for longer. And did I point out it additionally brightens the pores and skin tone by fading away darkish spots? 

The catch? Whenever you first begin utilizing retinol, your pores and skin may throw just a little tantrum – suppose redness, dryness, or peeling. That is usually known as the “retinol uglies.” However don’t fear; these unwanted effects normally sit back after a couple of weeks as your pores and skin will get used to the brand new routine. 

FUN FACT: Each SkinMedica and Skinceutical retinol therapies can be found in 0.3 (freshmen),0.5 (intermediate), and 1% (professional) concentrations.

BISABOLOL

Bisabolol is just like the peacekeeper in your skincare routine. Derived from chamomile, it soothes irritation and calms redness, making your pores and skin really feel extra Zen. Usually, bisabolol is well-tolerated. Nonetheless, for those who’re allergic to chamomile or different comparable vegetation, you may wish to patch-test first, simply to be on the secure sides.

Associated: Delicate Pores and skin: Why You Want Bisabolol Into Your Skincare Routine

Distinctive Substances: The Particular person Heroes

SKINMEDICA’S UNIQUE INGREDIENTS

1. Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Niacinamide is just like the multitasker of skincare components. It brightens pores and skin, reduces redness, improves elasticity, and strengthens the pores and skin barrier. Usually well-tolerated, it will probably trigger gentle redness in uncommon circumstances (if that’s you, cease utilizing it).
2. Squalane: A improbable hydrator that mimics your pores and skin’s pure oils, offering light-weight moisture with out leaving a greasy really feel. Squalane is non-comedogenic and usually doesn’t trigger irritation. Even oily and acne-prone pores and skin loves it.
3. Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8 This peptide is understood for its skin-soothing properties that assist scale back irritation. As is the case for many peptides, analysis on its effectiveness comes principally from the producer.

Associated: Do Peptides In Skincare Actually Work?

SKINCEUTICALS’ UNIQUE INGREDIENTS

1. Dimethicone: Consider dimethicone as a silky, invisible protect to your pores and skin. It’s a sort of silicone that smooths pores and skin texture, locks in moisture, and offers merchandise that luxurious, glide-on really feel. Dimethicone will get a nasty rep simply because it’s a silicone. It’s stated to clog pores and suffocate pores and skin – and that’s not true in any respect! Silicones have a selected molecular construction shaped of vast molecules with massive gaps in between them. So, pores and skin can nonetheless perspire and no pores get clogged. Time to place this fantasy to relaxation!
2. Propanediol: A solvent and humectant, it’s right here principally to boost the penetration of retinol. It causes irritations solely in very delicate pores and skin.
3. Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate: An emollient that provides the pores and skin a clean and comfortable look. It additionally helps the cream unfold simply and has a light-weight, non-greasy really feel.

Associated: Are Silicones Dangerous For Pores and skin?

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Skinmedica VS Skinceuticals Retinol: Which One Is Higher for Zits?

WINNER: SKINCEUTICALS

SkinCeuticals’ no-fuss, high-strength formulation makes it the stronger selection for acne-prone pores and skin, and right here’s why:

• It really works quicker. SkinCeuticals makes use of pure, fast-release retinol, that means it will get to work ASAP on clearing breakouts. SkinMedica, then again, has a slow-release formulation, which is gentler however takes longer to indicate outcomes.
• Much less greasy: SkinMedica has an oily base that would irritate zits. Skinceuticals is essentially the most light-weight formulation. And sure, it comprises dimethicone, however that solely causes issues once you’re pairing with oils or different comedogenic components. By itself, science says it’s tremendous.
• It helps with oil management. SkinCeuticals doesn’t have a bunch of additional hydrators, so it received’t make oily pores and skin really feel greasy. As a substitute, it retains oil manufacturing in examine, which is large for acne-prone pores and skin.

Skinmedica VS Skinceuticals Retinol: Which One Is Higher for Delicate Pores and skin?

WINNER: SKINMEDICA

In case your pores and skin freaks out on the mere point out of retinol, SkinMedica is the higher selection.  (Let’s be clear, even SkinMedica could make your pores and skin freak out whether it is THAT delicate. I’m simply saying the danger of irritation is decrease – not nonexistent – with it). Right here’s why

• Gradual-release retinol: As talked about earlier, retinol may cause redness, flaking and irritation. SkinMedica makes use of slow-releasee retinol, a elaborate means of claiming that as a substitute of delivering one massive hit of retinol suddenly (which might overwhelm your pores and skin), it regularly releases it over time. Your pores and skin higher tolerates it this fashion.
• Strengthens pores and skin barrier: One of many largest causes individuals can’t deal with retinol? It weakens the pores and skin barrier at first. That’s the place niacinamide steps in. This type of Vitamin B3 strengthens your pores and skin’s protecting barrier so it’s higher capable of deal with retinol. Whereas it’s at it, it has additionally anti-inflammatory properties that scale back redness and irritation.
• Extra hydrating: Retinol accelerates your pores and skin’s pure exfoliation course of to make wrinkles smaller, at the price of peeling and dryness.  SkinMedica balances this out with squalane, a light-weight, non-greasy substance that mimics your pores and skin’s pure oils. You get the santi-aging advantages of retinol with out trying like a shedding snake.

Skinmedica VS Skinceuticals Retinol: Which One Is Higher for Anti-Growing older?

WINNER: IT DEPENDS

Each Skinceuticals and SkinMedica pack fairly the retinol punch and have what it takes to spice up collagen and scale back tremendous traces. So we have to take a look at the remainder of the formulation, texture and all that stuff to seek out out which one is greatest  for various pores and skin varieties and desires: 

Go together with SkinCeuticals if:

• You have got resilient pores and skin that may deal with stronger retinol
• You need quicker outcomes

Go together with SkinMedica if:

• You have got dry/delicate pores and skin and want a gentler choice
• You need hydration, not simply anti-aging advantages

Do They Have Aspect Results?

As we’ve seen, retinol is highly effective, nevertheless it’s not with out its unwanted effects. Right here’s what you may expertise with each the Skinceuticals merchandise and the SkinMedica merchandise:

Aspect Impact	SkinMedica	SkinCeuticals
Redness & peeling	Decrease threat	Greater threat
Purging	Reasonable	Extra frequent
Dryness	Much less drying	Might be very drying
Irritation	Much less possible	Extra possible

Don’t be fooled. This doesn’t imply Skinceuticals is BAD. It means it delivers retinol into your pores and skin suddenly as a substitute of regularly extra time, so it’s harsher in your pores and skin. If yours is used to retinol, or very resistant, you’ll be capable to use Skinceuticals with out points. But when your pores and skin is on the delicate pores and skin or you recognize you need one thing gentler, go together with SkinMedica as a substitute. 

Now, let’s check out these unwanted effects intimately, so you recognize what to anticipate (as a result of for those who’re utilizing them ANY retinol product for the primary time, you may nonetheless expertise gentle unwanted effects:

Purging (Preliminary Breakouts)

Have you ever seen that typically, once you use merchandise with retinol, your pores and skin will get pimples? They’re not breakouts. It’s purging. The distinction? Breakouts occur when your pores are clogged. Purging occurs once you velocity up the pores and skin’s pure exfoliating course of so that every one the pimples that have been ALREADY forming beneath come to the floor quicker. Therefore why retinal causes “breakouts” in oily, acne-prone pores and skin and never dry pores and skin. If you happen to’re not susceptible to pimples, there’s nothing to deliver to the floor. 

Purging can last as long as 6 weeks, relying on how a lot gunk was forming beneath your pores and skin. When this occurs, hold utilizing retinol. I do know, I do know, you need the breakouts to go away. Belief me, put up with pimples for a couple of weeks after which your face WILL clear. Interrupt and people pimples will come to the floor once more, afterward.

Associated: Purging VS Breakout: How To Deal with Them

Irritation & Redness

Retinol can weakens the pores and skin barrier, resulting in redness, flaking, and sensitivity. When this occurs, you will have 3 choices:

1. Change to a decrease retinol focus: A standard mistake is begin with a excessive dose, like 0.5% or 1%. This WILL upset your pores and skin, for those who’ve by no means used retinol earlier than. As a substitute, stat with a decrease dose (even 0.01% works) and construct up dose extra time.
2. Reduce frequency: If you happen to’re utilizing a low dose already, otherwise you wish to improve to the next dose, then use your retinol serum much less usually. Like a couple of times every week as a substitute of each different day. 
3. Cease utilizing it: In case your pores and skin could be very delicate, it doesn’t tolerate tiny concentrations, don’t use this energetic. It’s not value it for you.

Dryness & Flaking

Retinol accelerates exfoliation to take away useless pores and skin cells and scale back the looks of deep wrinkles. However, it will probably result in dry, flaky pores and skin – particularly once you use an excessive amount of too usually. Right here’s what to do about it:

1. Reduce frequency or utilization: Attempt utilizing retinol much less usually or utilizing a decrease dose for some time till your pores and skin will get used to it.
2. Moisturise effectively: Use moisturisers with fatty acids (for those who DON’T have oily pores and skin) or different parts of the pores and skin’s barrier, like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. They assist strengthen your pores and skin’s barrier, so retinol can’t disrupt it as a lot.
3. Don’t over exfoliate: By no means exfoliates (i.e. use lactic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or scrubs) on night time you’re utilizing retinol.

Worth & Availability: Which One is Value Your Cash?

Product	Worth	Measurement
SkinMedica Retinol 0.25	$64	1 oz
SkinMedica Retinol 0.5	$78	1 oz
SkinMedica Retinol 1.0	$93	1 oz
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3	$80	1 oz
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5	$92	1 oz
SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0	$100	1 oz

SkinMedica is out there at: Dermstore

Skinceuticals is out there at: Dermstore and Skinceuticals

Verdict: SkinCeuticals is dearer, however you’re paying for the efficiency. SkinMedica offers you hydration + anti-aging at a barely lower cost.

Remaining Verdict: Which One Ought to You Purchase?

Get SkinCeuticals if:

• You have got acne-prone pores and skin
• You need stronger, quicker outcomes

Get SkinMedica if:

• You have got dry/delicate pores and skin
• You’re new to retinol
• You need a hydrating, gentler formulation

About Gio

Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that can assist you obtain your greatest pores and skin day ever – each day. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising jargon that can assist you determine what’s definitely worth the splurge and what’s greatest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally supply skincare consultations that can assist you create one of the best skincare routine to your distinctive wants.