SkinCeuticals Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Are there any known drug contradictions with SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C treatments?
A. No.

Q. Are there any side effects associated with SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products?
A. Less than one-tenth of one percent of all people using SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products have had any difficulties. Some individuals experience a mild stinging when the product is first applied, which is attributable to the high acidic concentration necessary to get the L-ascorbic acid (vitamin-C) into the skin. Many individuals find this sensation subsides with continued use, specifically as the skin begins its natural healing process. SkinCeuticals' extraordinary Topical Vitamin-C products are specially formulated to benefit the skin with less discomfort. This unique stabilization process provides higher concentrations with minimized irritation.

Q. Are there precautions to be taken when using SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products?
A. Yes. Due to a high concentration of vitamin-C and the acidic nature of the product, it is important to follow the instructions carefully. Products should be applied only to clean, dry skin and users should avoid placing the product directly on the eyelids. It also is recommended that contact lens wearers insert their contacts before application, or that they apply the product at night after their contacts have been removed.

Q. Can I use SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products with alpha and beta hydroxy acids, retinoids (including Retin A and Renova) and other popular skin care products?
A. Generally, yes, although it is recommended that you consult your doctor or skin care professional to be certain. SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products should not be used at the same time of day as these other products. The recommended regimen is an application of SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products in the morning and use of other acid or retinoid based products at night.

Q. Do I need to change my skin care regimen and how do I use the products?
A. No. This is what makes SkinCeuticals topical vitamin-C formulations so unique. SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products can be used in conjunction with any skin care regimen.

Given the precise formulation of SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products, it is important to apply them only onto clean, dry skin. Do not mix immediately with other products; simply wait a few minutes for the SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C product to be absorbed, then proceed with the rest of your skin care regimen.

SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products are not moisturizers, so a water-based moisturizer should be applied afterwards to prevent dryness. To further protect skin from the harmful effects of the sun, a sunblock such as SkinCeuticals Daily Sun Defense or Ultimate UV Defense should be used with any vitamin-C product.

Daily Sun Defense SPF 20 is a state-of-the-art sunblock and lightweight daily moisturizer. Formulated with two of the most innovative and effective sunscreen ingredients available, it features a five percent concentration of Z-CoteŽ , a transparent, micronized form of the proven broad spectrum physical sunscreen ingredient, zinc oxide and a micro-encapsulated form of the sunscreen ingredient octyl methoxycinnamate for true broad spectrum protection against harmful UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) radiation, including long range UVA which is now proven to cause photoaging and is linked to skin cancers.

Specially formulated for photo-sensitive skin, Ultimate UV Defense SPF 30 combines a seven percent concentration of Z-Cote with micro-encapsulated octyl methoxycinnamate to provide the ultimate defense against UV radiation. Ultimate UV Defense is ideal for individuals with conditions of increased photo-sensitivity, as well as for individuals exposed to tropical climates, high altitudes or prolonged sun exposure.

Q. How often should SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products be applied?
A. Like daily vitamins, the recommended regimen for SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products is one application per day to help diminish the appearance of fine lines. Using the products more than once a day may cause irritation. Therefore, they should only be applied more frequently if directed by a skin care professional.

Because topical vitamin-C photo protects the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, daytime application is ideal. Duke University research shows that once topical vitamin-C gets into skin, it cannot be washed, rubbed, or perspired off and it remains active for up to 72 hours. Therefore, SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products are ideal for active individuals and athletes who spend a good amount of time outdoors.

Q. How soon does an average user of SkinCeuticals see results?
A. SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products will start to be absorbed by the skin almost immediately. Because these vitamin-C products were developed as a preventative treatment with the goal of protecting the skin from further environmental damage, the skin should benefit the moment the vitamin-C is applied.

Vitamin-C is necessary for the production of collagen, the major structural protein of the skin and although visible differences will not be seen for approximately two months, you may notice a visible difference in skin texture, color and tone in as early as a few days. The appearance of fine lines and wrinkles should become less noticeable within three to eight months. Individual results may vary, depending upon the condition of the skin at the time of initial use.

Is it safe to go out into the sun with SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products?
A. Yes. As a matter of fact, research shows that topical vitamin-C offers photoprotective qualities. However, it is important to note that topical vitamin-C is not a sunscreen, so additional sun protection is still necessary.

Most individuals find the ideal time to apply vitamin-C is in the morning, because during the day you are more susceptible to sun exposure and L-ascorbic acid provides photoprotection from UVA/UVB radiation.

The best combination to prevent photoaging is to use SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C in conjunction with a true broad spectrum sunblock such as SkinCeuticals Daily Sun Defense SPF 20 or Ultimate UV Defense SPF 30.

Q. Is this product suitable for use on all skin types and colors?
A. Yes.

Q. Rather than use SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products, can't I just rub oranges on my skin or take more vitamin-C tablets?
A. No. SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products contain vitamin-C in the form of L-ascorbic acid at a precise acid pH which allows it to be absorbed by the skin. No matter how much vitamin-C one ingests, body control mechanisms tightly limit the amount of vitamin-C that can enter the skin through ingestion. Until Dr. Pinnell and his colleagues at Duke proved that L-ascorbic acid at low pH is necessary for vitamin-C to be absorbed by the skin, the only way to feed the skin vitamin-C was through diet or vitamin supplements.

Duke University research shows that stabilized L-ascorbic acid at low pH delivers 20 to 40 times more vitamin-C to the skin than can be achieved by diet or by supplement. Research also shows that Vitamin-C is necessary to stimulate collagen synthesis.

Q. To what extent have SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products been used by the public?
A. Today, there is a network of thousands of dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and licensed estheticians that recommend SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C to their patients daily. Many individuals now benefit from the stabilized L-ascorbic acid technology. SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products are physician recommended and patient preferred, with the number of satisfied users continuing to grow.

Q. What are SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products?
SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products are an innovative skin care line featuring stabilized L-ascorbic acid at a low pH. Originally developed as a preventative skin care treatment to protect skin from environmental damage, SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products, over time, visibly improve skin clarity, tone and texture and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, leaving skin with a firmer, smoother, younger looking appearance.

Q. What is the difference between SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products and other skincare products which feature vitamin-C as an ingredient?
A. SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products contain stable L-ascorbic acid at a low pH, which allows vitamin-C to be absorbed by the skin. Most commonly marketed products utilize vitamin-C derivatives such as ascorbyl palmitate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, which must be converted to L-ascorbic acid in order to be used by the skin.

To be effective, vitamin-C derivatives must first get into the skin and then must be chemically converted by the skin's cells into L-ascorbic acid. Because the skin is difficult to penetrate and the enzymes necessary to convert these derivatives into L-ascorbic acid are not always available, derivatives are not very effective in delivering vitamin-C into the skin.

It is the Duke patented technology developed by Dr. Sheldon R. Pinnell and his colleagues and SkinCeutical's stability technique which render SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products effective. In addition, SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products are designed to reduce the temporary stinging sensation that was inherent in early topical vitamin-C formulations.

Q. What is the science supporting SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products and how do they help the skin?
Everyday skin is exposed to environmental elements like sunlight, smoke and air pollution which cause oxy radicals to form in the skin. These oxy radicals attack the skin's collagen layer and break it down, causing lines and wrinkles to appear.

Science shows that topical vitamin-C (L-ascorbic acid) promotes the synthesis of collagen which is crucial to healthy, younger-looking skin.

Duke University research indicates that topical vitamin-C (L-ascorbic acid) is an excellent antioxidant and that it protects against and reduces the harmful effects of the sun in both the UVB and UVA bands (290-400 nanometers). Research also indicates that it prevents UV immunosuppression, a phenomenon in which the activity of the immune system is stifled following exposure to sunlight.

Duke University research also shows that in order for topical vitamin-C to be absorbed by the skin, it must be in the form of L-ascorbic acid at a low pH. SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products feature the Duke patented technology for stable L-ascorbic acid at a low pH.

In addition to its antioxidant and protective properties, topical vitamin-C also provides a modest anti-inflammatory effect and therefore can be utilized to aid skin in recovering from sunburn. Many dermatologists and plastic surgeons have also reported success in using topical vitamin-C on other inflammatory conditions, including skin recovering from glycolic acid and other dermatologic peels, as well as on acne, rosacea and on erythema resulting from laser skin resurfacing.

Q. What products are included in the SkinCeuticals family of Topical Vitamin-C products?
A. SkinCeuticals has formulated a variety of pure vitamin-C treatments to suit every skin type. Latest research demonstrates that, when formated properly, the combination of vitamin-C and vitamin-E works synergistically and provides superior protection to either C or E alone. This unique treatment is available in SkinCeuticals C+E.

Other pure vitamin-C treatments are available in concentrations of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% L-ascorbic acid. For patients desiring both photoprotection and exfoliation, SkinCeuticals also offers a dual-function serum combining 15% vitamin-C with 10% AHA.

All SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C formulations work optimally with SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel, which contains hyaluronic acid - - the skin's natural moisturizer - - to help replenish moisture lost during any topical vitamin-C treatment.

Q. What should consumers look for when choosing a topical vitamin-C product?
Consumers should look for a product that lists L-ascorbic acid as the leading active ingredient in high concentrations (10, 15, or 20 percent). In evaluating any topical vitamin C skin care product, the following questions should be asked:

Is the vitamin C in the form of L-ascorbic acid (the only true form of vitamin C the body can use)?

Is the preparation both color and L-ascorbic acid stable (the color should never be brown)?

Finally, is the product backed by science?

All SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C products feature the Duke patented technology for stable L-ascorbic acid at an acid pH, in concentrations ranging from five to twenty percent, in cosmetically-elegant formulations. SkinCeuticals has continued to lead the industry for topical antioxidant treatments, combining pure vitamin-C and pure vitamin-E to create an optimized, synergistic formulation. All SkinCeuticals products are backed by science.