SkinMedica skincare
SkinMedica is an American skincare brand founded in 1999 and owned by AbbVie Inc. since 2020.
SkinMedica is beloved for its sophisticated range of moisturizers, serums, cleansers, and eye products, all driven by meticulously researched formulas. Its products suit dry skin and sensitive skin best, offering gentle yet effective daily care. For specific concerns, the brand offers standout solutions such as 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. Through these targeted offerings, its thoughtful formulations work to gently address individual skin needs with remarkable precision.
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 good for oily skin and its targeted routine rates Superior for this skin type. The SkinMedica products on this page help hydrate and soften while targeting excess oil.
Is SkinMedica worth it?
SkinMedica may be worth it for shoppers looking for hydrating moisturizers and smoothing serums, as Lovi rates its focused routines as Superior for dry skin, sensitive skin, and other types. However, reviewers often mention a high price point and packaging issues, alongside a risk of breakouts or skin irritation.
What are SkinMedica's best products?
SkinMedica's best products are those rated Superior for specific needs on this page, such as Ultra Sheer Moisturizer for sensitive or mature skin, HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator for dry skin, AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser for oily and acne-prone skin, and TNS Eye Repair for mature skin.
Which SkinMedica moisturizer is best for dry skin?
The best moisturizer for dry skin is HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator, which Lovi rates Superior. Ultra Sheer Moisturizer and Dermal Repair Cream also offer High fit for dry skin.
Does SkinMedica cause breakouts?
Yes, SkinMedica reviewers often report that the brand can cause breakouts or skin irritation.
Is SkinMedica fragrance-free?
The SkinMedica products on this page are not entirely fragrance-free, as 3 of the 10 products list fragrance among their ingredients. However, the remaining 7 products on the page list no fragrance.
What are the key ingredients in SkinMedica products?
The key ingredient in the SkinMedica products on this page is hyaluronic acid. Topical application of this ingredient helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.
How do I build a SkinMedica skincare routine?
Building a SkinMedica routine involves cleansing, treating, and moisturizing with products chosen for your skin type. For dry skin, a sample morning routine uses a cleanser, hydrating toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen, while the evening routine adds the TNS Advanced+ Serum before moisturizing.
Where can I buy SkinMedica, and how much does it cost?
SkinMedica products on this page are sold in Canadian stores and cost CA$412.66.
What are good alternatives to SkinMedica?
Good alternatives to SkinMedica available on Lovi include CeraVe, Cetaphil, Paula's Choice, Neutrogena, Kiehl's, and Dermalogica.
SkinMedica vs CeraVe: which is better?
SkinMedica and CeraVe both rate Superior for dry skin, sensitive skin, and oily skin, so neither is definitively better. Reviewers note that SkinMedica offers specialized anti-aging and softening products, while CeraVe is often chosen for its simpler, more budget-friendly approach.
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 good for dry skin because Lovi rates its brand-focused routine Superior for dry skin. Reviewers often mention its hydrating moisturizers, and the HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator reaches a Superior fit level for dry skin.
Which SkinMedica cleanser is best for oily skin?
The AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser is the best SkinMedica cleanser for oily skin, while the Facial Cleanser offers an Average fit.
Is SkinMedica good for sensitive skin?
Yes, SkinMedica is good for sensitive skin and fits it with a Superior level routine. Lovi rates TNS Eye Repair High and Ultra Sheer Moisturizer Superior for sensitive skin.
Is SkinMedica good for acne-prone skin?
Yes, SkinMedica is good for acne-prone skin because Lovi rates the brand-focused routine Superior for this skin type. Reviewers often mention that the cleansers are gentle and effective, and the moisturizers help keep skin soft and smooth.
Is SkinMedica good for skin with dark spots?
Yes, SkinMedica is good for skin with dark spots because several products on the page, such as Ultra Sheer Moisturizer and TNS Advanced+ Serum, rate High or Superior for this concern. Reviewers mention that the serums help smooth the skin, while key ingredients like hyaluronic acid help keep it hydrated.
Is SkinMedica good for mature skin?
Yes, SkinMedica is good for mature skin. Lovi rates TNS Eye Repair, Rejuvenative Moisturizer, and Ultra Sheer Moisturizer as Superior for mature skin, and several other products as High. Reviewers often mention anti-aging serums for smoothing the skin, though some users note slow results.
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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