SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense Serum
Works for
Anti-agingGlycolic acidWorks well
“An oil-free salicylic acid face serum that reduces the formation of adult acne and improves visible signs of aging.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Evens skin toneGlycolic acid, Capryloyl salicylic acidWorks well
“Improves the appearance of blotchiness, blemishes, and uneven skin tone.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: capryloyl salicylic acid.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Stay ahead of breakouts with the Blemish and Age Defense Serum (30ml), a dual-action formula made to minimise excess oils and gently exfoliate skin.”
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: capryloyl salicylic acid, glycolic acid.
Anti-blemishGlycolic acid, Capryloyl salicylic acid + 1 moreNot delivered
“An oil-free salicylic acid face serum that reduces the formation of adult acne and improves visible signs of aging.”
This product contains ingredients (capryloyl salicylic acid, glycolic acid) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Alcohol denat.Medium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Alcohol denat.~24–35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Water~13–20%
Methylpropanediol~5.2–7.8%
Glycolic acid~3.7–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
More about Glycolic acidDiisopropyl adipate~2.8–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Diisopropyl adipateOctadecenedioic acid~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together. Might help suppress growth of acne-triggering bacteria in skin
More about Octadecenedioic acidHydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to regulate product's pH, but can be also used as an exfoliator when included in higher concentrations. There is a controversy about whether it can generate free radicals and induce skin cell damage when used in topical products
More about Hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acidCitric acid~0.55–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCapryloyl salicylic acid~0.5–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Sodium hydroxide~0.15–0.6%
Polyquaternium-10~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish
More about Polyquaternium-10Ingredient list view
Alcohol denat., Water, Methylpropanediol, Glycolic acid, Diisopropyl adipate, Octadecenedioic acid, Hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid, Citric acid, Capryloyl salicylic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Polyquaternium-10
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| SkinCeuticalsBlemish + Age Defense SerumYOUR PRODUCT | La Roche-PosayEffaclar Serum for Blemish-Prone Skin | ISNTREEHyper Acid 4 AHA BHA PHA LHA 30 Serum | VichyNeovadiol Meno 5 Serum for Menopausal Skin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 68% | 66% | 57% |
| Price | $115.00 | $13.16−$101.84 | $16.15−$98.85 | $45.50−$69.50 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Civant AHA Exfoliating SerumL'Oréal Paris Bright Reveal 7.5% Niacinamide + 2.5% Amino-Sulfonic Acid Dark Spot Serum
Product summary
"SkinCeuticals - Blemish + Age Defense Serum" is effective for: Anti-inflammatory, Exfoliation, Anti-aging, Evens skin tone and Anti-blemish
Ingredient callouts
- Exfoliating acids (glycolic acid 3.70% - 5.50%). In this concentration, they will have a noticeable exfoliating effect. They can also have an anti-aging effect and stimulate collagen production in a long-run.
- Salicylic acid (0.55% - 1.25%). This is an oil-soluble exfoliating acid. Because of this property, it can work inside pores and help reduce the congestion. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is used to treat acne. Because it is a quite strong exfoliator, be careful with using this product too often: it could result in over-exfoliation.
Price
The product retails from 52.00£ up to 114.00£ in the United Kingdom, for 118.00CA$ in Canada and for 115.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 5 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
- 5
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