SkinMedica skincare
SkinMedica is an American skincare brand founded in 1999 and owned by AbbVie Inc. since 2020.
SkinMedica is beloved for its balanced selection of moisturizers, serums, cleansers, and eye products, which rely on thoughtful formulas. Its products suit acne-prone skin and dry skin best. The standout choices include the AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser for acne-prone skin, the Ultra Sheer Moisturizer for skin with dark spots, and the TNS Eye Repair for mature skin.
Hyaluronic acidThis page covers some of the most popular SkinMedica products; for the whole SkinMedica range, with a fit score for every product, use the Lovi app.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 13.9k+ reviewsReviewers most often praise SkinMedica for potent anti-aging benefits, deep and lasting hydration, and improved skin texture. The most common complaints are its high price tag and issues with breakouts or heavy formulas for oily skin.
Highlights
Hydrating and softening moisturizers Mostly Mentioned
- “Keeps dry skin away entirely — HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator”
- “My skin feels moisturized all day long. — Dermal Repair Cream”
- “Very hydrating — Rejuvenative Moisturizer”
Anti-aging and skin smoothing serums Mostly Mentioned
- “can make the world of difference in your fine lines and wrinkles — TNS Advanced+ Serum”
- “Neck rings are disappearing — Retinol Complex”
- “my skin had much more elasticity — TNS Advanced+ Serum”
Gentle and effective cleansers Mostly Mentioned
- “gentle enough to use everyday — AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser”
- “pores look smaller and more empty — AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser”
- “leaves skin soft — Facial Cleanser”
Easy-to-use and sensitive-safe serums Mostly Mentioned
- “Easy pump bottle — Retinol Complex”
- “anti aging treatment that works for sensitive skin — TNS Advanced+ Serum”
- “It doesn't irritate my skin like others. — Even & Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment”
High price point Mostly Mentioned
- “The price tag is steep — TNS Advanced+ Serum”
- “Fairly expensive — HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator”
- “expensive for a wash — Facial Cleanser”
Packaging and dispenser issues Often Mentioned
- “One of the pumps failed on me — TNS Advanced+ Serum”
- “serum ran out before the cream that you mix it with — TNS Advanced+ Serum”
- “hate dipping finger in jar — TNS Eye Repair”
Causes breakouts or skin irritation Often Mentioned
- “Slight adjustment period — Retinol Complex”
- “Burned my face — Retinol Complex”
- “Caused acne — Rejuvenative Moisturizer”
Slow results or ineffective performance Sometimes Noted
- “not moisturizing enough — Ultra Sheer Moisturizer”
- “I don't see any difference after finishing my 1st bottle. — Even & Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment”
- “Deemed as a fake — HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator”
Sources: lovi.care, dermapproved.com, lovelyskin.com, ellemesmedspa.com, walmart.com, theskinspot.com, and more
Questions and answers
Is SkinMedica good for oily skin?
Yes, SkinMedica is well-suited for oily skin and the SkinMedica-focused routine for oily skin rates Superior on Lovi. Reviewers often mention that the brand offers gentle and effective cleansers alongside anti-aging and skin smoothing serums. Additionally, products like the AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser fit oily skin with a High level.
Is SkinMedica worth it?
SkinMedica may be worth it for shoppers seeking anti-aging serums and hydrating moisturizers, though some reviewers note high prices and packaging issues. Lovi rates SkinMedica-focused routines Superior for dry skin.
What are SkinMedica's best products?
SkinMedica's best products are Ultra Sheer Moisturizer, which Lovi rates Superior for sensitive skin, skin with dark spots, and mature skin, and HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator, which Lovi rates Superior for dry skin. Reviewers often mention that the brand's moisturizers help keep skin soft and hydrated. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.
Which SkinMedica moisturizer is best for dry skin?
HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator is the best moisturizer on this page for dry skin, as Lovi rates it Superior. Ultra Sheer Moisturizer and Dermal Repair Cream also offer High fit for dry skin.
Does SkinMedica cause breakouts?
Yes, SkinMedica may cause breakouts or skin irritation, as reviewers often note this issue among the products. However, some individual items like the HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator and Ultra Sheer Moisturizer still rate high for acne-prone skin.
Is SkinMedica fragrance-free?
Not all of the SkinMedica products on this page are fragrance-free, as 7 out of 10 list no fragrance while the Dermal Repair Cream, Facial Cleanser, and Rejuvenative Moisturizer contain it.
What are the key ingredients in SkinMedica products?
Hyaluronic acid is a key ingredient featured across SkinMedica products. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.
How do I build a SkinMedica skincare routine?
To build a SkinMedica routine for dry skin, apply the AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser followed by the HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator or Ultra Sheer Moisturizer. Lovi rates the SkinMedica-focused routine for dry skin as Superior.
Where can I buy SkinMedica, and how much does it cost?
SkinMedica is available to buy at stores in the United Arab Emirates. Prices on the page range from AED 1,099.99 to AED 1,099.99, with most falling between AED 1,099.99 and AED 1,099.99.
What are good alternatives to SkinMedica?
Good alternatives to SkinMedica with pages on Lovi include brands such as CeraVe, Cetaphil, Paula's Choice, Neutrogena, Kiehl's, and Dermalogica. Lovi rates the CeraVe-focused routine as High for dry skin and Superior for oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin.
SkinMedica vs CeraVe: which is better?
SkinMedica and CeraVe both perform very well, with Lovi rating their focused routines as Superior for acne-prone, sensitive, and combination skin, and SkinMedica edging out CeraVe for dry skin with a Superior fit compared to CeraVe's High fit. Reviewers note that SkinMedica offers hydrating moisturizers and smoothing serums, though shoppers should keep in mind that its products come with a high price point and may occasionally cause skin irritation.
Who owns SkinMedica, and where is it from?
SkinMedica is an American brand founded in 1999, owned by AbbVie Inc. since 2020.
Is SkinMedica cruelty-free?
PETA, Leaping Bunny, and Cruelty Free International, the registries Lovi checks, do not list SkinMedica as cruelty-free.
Is SkinMedica good for dry skin?
Yes, SkinMedica is well suited for dry skin, as Lovi rates the brand-focused routine for dry skin as Superior. Reviewers often mention its hydrating and softening moisturizers, and products like HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator rate Superior for dry skin.
Which SkinMedica cleanser is best for oily skin?
The AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser is the best choice for oily skin, while the Facial Cleanser offers average results.
Is SkinMedica good for sensitive skin?
SkinMedica is good for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates the brand-focused routine Superior for this skin type. Reviewers frequently mention that the brand offers easy-to-use and sensitive-safe serums, though some users note that certain products may cause skin irritation.
Is SkinMedica good for acne-prone skin?
Yes, SkinMedica is well suited for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates the SkinMedica-focused routine for this skin type as Superior. Reviewers often note that the brand helps clear the skin with gentle and effective cleansers, though some users report that it may occasionally cause breakouts or skin irritation.
Is SkinMedica good for skin with dark spots?
SkinMedica is good for skin with dark spots, as Lovi rates products like TNS Advanced+ Serum, HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator, and Dermal Repair Cream High for this skin type. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve overall skin quality and signs of aging.
Is SkinMedica good for mature skin?
SkinMedica is good for mature skin, as Lovi rates products like TNS Eye Repair, Rejuvenative Moisturizer, and Ultra Sheer Moisturizer as Superior for this skin type. Reviewers mostly mention anti-aging and skin smoothing serums among the brand's offerings. Additionally, retinols in the line may help stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007
Research behind SkinMedica's key ingredients
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Ethosomes of Phenylethyl Resorcinol as Vesicular Delivery System for Skin Lightening Applications
Skin-Whitening Effect of a Callus Extract of Nelumbo nucifera Isolate Haman
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
Behind these ratings
Lovi rates every product from its full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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