At Kitsilano Medical Aesthetics, we take a holistic approach to health and beauty. Skincare is a pillar of our work, and we’ve been longtime fans of SkinCeuticals, a brand of clinical skincare products backed by science.
Patients often ask about what products we recommend to deliver the best results. Most people aren’t interested in long routines with multiple products. Rather, a streamlined routine built around a few items that deliver value and results is what they are looking for. While we recommend building routines around your skin type and goals—a service we proudly provide—we have a database of favourites helpful to just about everyone.
SkinCeuticals evolved as a brand based on the research of Dr. Sheldon Pinnell, who filed the very first vitamin C patent. This discovery paved the way for a new skincare category: topical vitamin C. It’s no surprise that SkinCeuticals is mainly well known for its range of vitamin C serums, but the brand offers a variety of products to treat the most common skin concerns with the ultimate goal of improving your skin health. Here are our top 5 picks.
If there’s one product from SkinCeuticals that absolutely everyone has to try, it’s C E Ferulic. This formula combines a potent dose of 15% L-ascorbic acid with 1% vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) and 0.5% ferulic acid. The result is an antioxidant serum that protects against environmental damage caused by free radicals and improves the appearance of lines and wrinkles and the loss of firmness while brightening the skin’s complexion. This serum is a master multi-tasker and a worthwhile investment in skin health.
SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense
If you’re struggling with hyperpigmentation, you’ve probably tried several spot correctors. What makes SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense different? While it contains ingredients found in many quality spot correctors, we’ve seen the inclusion of HEPES, or Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, to be effective. HEPES is a synthetically derived acid that helps break down the bonds that bind dead skin cells to the surface for even exfoliation. HEPES also helps balance Skinceutical’s formula, allowing the active ingredients to act more effectively. Try it with CE Ferulic or Phloretin CF for amazing results long term.
A team favourite: Phloretin CF is a triple antioxidant cocktail of 10% L-ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 2% phloretin. If this is your first time hearing about phloretin, it’s a flavonoid derived from apples and the root bark of fruit trees, including pear and grapefruit. Phloretin neutralizes damaging free radicals and helps increase cell turnover, improving the appearance of discoloration and allowing beneficial ingredients to penetrate deeper into your skin. It’s a good choice of a Vitamin C antioxidant for sensitive skin types with a tendency towards pigment.
While retinol benefits ageing skin—this one comes with a disclaimer. SkinCeuticals offers three different strengths of their retinol cream: 0.3%, 0.5%, and 1% retinol. Set up a consultation with Dr. Kamani to decide which is right for you. Retinol can address multiple signs of aging at once. It’s clinically proven to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve uneven skin tone, restore skin firmness, and shrink the appearance of enlarged pores. However, retinol can be irritating, especially to those with sensitive skin. Learn how to integrate retinol into your skincare routine for best results.
This is our favourite recommendation to provide thirsty skin with a burst of hydration. This corrective serum amplifies the skin’s hyaluronic acid levels by a whopping 30 percent—that’s a clinical result. If you’re even a bit interested in skin care, you know that hyaluronic acid is the key to your skin’s hydration. Hyaluronic acid draws in and locks moisture (up to 1,000 times its own weight) into the skin. This is intensely hydrating—and sure favourite of people who love that plump, hydrated-looking skin.
Book a Skincare Consultation
As part of our commitment to offer the very best evidence-based products, we are proud to carry SkinCeuticals at our clinic. Designed to correct and prevent future damage to protect healthy skin, SkinCeuticals is recommended by Dr. Kamani and her team to correct signs of premature ageing, protect skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, and maintain a smooth, bright, and youthful appearance. Connect with our team at 604.222.9998 to schedule your skincare consultation and get the best products for your skin!