SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst Exfoliating Booster Serum
Works for
Anti-agingGlycolic acid, Lactic acidWorks well
“Cell Cycle Catalyst is an optimal first step to boost the instant results of an anti-aging routine.”
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.
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Mandelic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“Cell Cycle Catalyst Exfoliating Booster Serum”
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: glycolic acid, mandelic acid.
Evens skin toneGlycolic acid, Mandelic acid + 3 moreWorks well
“Powered in part by a 7.7% multi-acid complex (alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids) and 1% Taurine, Cell Cycle Catalyst is clinically tested to gently peel and enhance cellular turnover at the skin's surface to smooth texture, improve the appearance of discoloration, and the look of visible lines.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid, mandelic 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.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Caprylyl glycol + 1 moreWorks
“This anti-aging exfoliating serum helps maintain optimal hydration to support a healthy skin barrier.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, caprylyl glycol.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~4.6–6.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinGlycolic 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 acidEthoxydiglycol~2.5–3.8%
Sodium hydroxide~2–3%
Phytic acid~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmetics
More about Phytic acidLactic acid~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidMandelic acid~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps shed the upper layer of dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing smoother, brighter skin. It can help to reduce hyperpigmentation. It has anti-bacterial properties, and might help to reduce blemishes, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. It is considered to be gentler than glycolic acid
More about Mandelic acidTaurine~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Could be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, evening out the skin tone and neutralizing free radicals, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness
More about TaurineSalicylic acid~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Caprylyl glycol~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolTetrasodium glutamate diacetate~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Tetrasodium glutamate diacetateIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Glycolic acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Sodium hydroxide, Phytic acid, Lactic acid, Mandelic acid, Taurine, Salicylic acid, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl glycol, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate
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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.
| SkinCeuticalsCell Cycle Catalyst Exfoliating Booster SerumYOUR PRODUCT | Deviant SkincareGentle Resurfacing Liquid | NécessaireThe Body Peel - Resurfacing Serum with 12% AHA/BHA/PHA, 1% Resveratrol + Peeling Peptide | FacileClear Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 96% | 95% | 93% |
| Price | $120.00 | $52.00−$68.00 | — | $38.00−$82.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Gluconolactone | Hexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Erno Laszlo AHA Resurfacing Sleep Serumcolibri skincare Exfoliate Booster
Product summary
"SkinCeuticals - Cell Cycle Catalyst Exfoliating Booster Serum" is effective for: Anti-aging, Exfoliation and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Exfoliating acids (mandelic acid 0.85% - 1.25%, lactic acid 1.00% - 1.50% and glycolic acid 3.70% - 5.50%). In this concentration, they will have a noticeable exfoliating effect. They can also have an anti-aging effect and stimulate collagen production in a long-run. Lactic Acid can also help to attract water to the upper layer (works as a humectant).
- Humectants (glycerin 4.60% - 6.90%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 120.00$ 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 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4
- 5Cosmetic and dermatologic use of alpha hydroxy acidsonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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