Review: Skinceuticals Phyto Corrective Gel

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“A hydrating, soothing gel serum with botanical ingredients ideal to calm and hydrate skin while improving visual redness.”

Skinceuticals

Have you heard of Skinceuticals?

Whilst I still trust Skinceuticals, the innovative scientist who founded the brand passed away in 2013.

What is it?

Cooling gel serum for sensitised skin.

Water-based or oil-based?

Water-based.

Which skin types?

All skin types. Perfect for sensitised or overstimulated skin.

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Key ingredients:

Botanical ingredients to soothe inflammation: olive, thyme & cucumber

Ingredients list 

Main List

  1. Water
  2. Glycerine (humectant)
  3. Propylene Glycol (humectant)
  4. Emulsifier
  5. Preservative
  6. Preservative

Ingredients under 1%

  • 7: Sodium Hyaluronate (humectant)
  • 11: Fragrance
  • 15: Cucumber extract (anti-inflammatory)
  • 16: Fragrance
  • 18: Thyme: irritant
  • 19: Eucalyptus (essential oil)
  • 23: Linalool (irritant)

Emulsifiers?

4th ingredient: Polysorbate 80 – I worry that emulsifiers can penetrate a damaged skin barrier and upset the lipid (oil) balance in the top layer of the skin.

Skin-identical ingredients:

  • Glycerin (humectant)
  • Sodium Hyaluronate (humectant).

Suitable for acne-prone skin?

Ideal light moisturiser for oily/acne-prone skin. I didn’t break out!

Irritants?

  • Thyme extract
  • Fragrance (benzyl benzoate)
  • Linalool

Does it smell?

Vaguely herbal.

How does it feel? Absorption Rate?

Light texture which absorbs quickly.

How does it fit into your routine?

Use under day or night cream.

Pros & Cons

ProsEffective calming serum.
Alcohol-Free.
ConsMorus Alba root extract (to brighten the skin) is the last ingredient.
Irritants are low down the ingredients list, but why are they included in a serum for sensitised skin?

Read more:

My experience with Skinceuticals Phyto Corrective Gel

I was heartbroken when I developed adult acne because I had been acne-free for almost a decade. Out of sheer frustration, I went a little crazy with the acid toners. As a beauty therapist, I should have known better.

This lovely cooling gel serum (it might not be hydrating enough for everyone) calmed down my redness straight away. Although my skin is prone to dehydration because of tretinoin, this sank in quickly and hydrated my skin without blocking my pores. I only needed a small amount.

Conclusion

Although Skinceuticals Phyto Corrective Gel helped calm my skin, I am not sure it would repair the barrier long-term.

I was gifted this product to try by Skinceuticals.

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