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the best perricone md products

What are the best Perricone MD skincare products? I admit I’m partial to the supplements. I try to eat as healthily as possible, but there are times when life gets in the way and I fall back on sandwiches and frozen foods. Popping a supplement on those days helps.

I’m glad that Dr Perricone admits diet is a huge piece of the skincare puzzle. But skincare products play a part, too. That’s what I want to focus on today.

The Perricone MD range relies a bit too much on jars (not hygienic) and fragrance (irritating) for my taste, but you can still find a few gems to fight wrinkles, fade away dark spots and make your complexion glow. Here are the best Perricone MD skincare product for every skin type and concern:

About The Brand: Peter Thomas Roth

Founded by world-renowned healthy aging expert and NYT best-selling author Dr. Nicholas Perricone, Dr Perricone has a three-tier skincare system. The brand believes that what you put into your body has an effect on your skin, so it focuses on both diet, supplements, and skincare products with proven actives to fight wrinkles, acne, and dark spots. I like the focus on diet and supplements. Let’s face it: every skin condition is caused by inflammation – and a bad diet is a leading cause of that. Fix your diet and, instead of putting out fires, your skincare will help your skin thrive.

Don’t know which skincare products you can mix and match together and which ones deactivate each other? Download your FREE “How To Layer Actives Like A Pro” cheat sheet to get the most out of your skincare products:

What Are The Best Perricone MD Skincare Products?

Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Clean Correction Gentle Cleanser ($19.00)

The name says it all. Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Clean Correction Gentle Cleanser is so gentle, even sensitive skin can use it without experiencing any dryness or irritation. It uses a gentle mix of surfactants (ingredients that help water mix with oils and dirt so they can be rinsed away) to remove every last trace of dirt, makeup and impurities from your skin. Plus, it’s fragrance free and has a skin-friendly pH.

Available at: Look Fantastic, Nordstrom, Perricone, and Sephora

Active ingredients:  Co- camidopropyl Betaine and Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate.

Benefits: Cleanses skin gently.

Cons: Dry skin types would benefit more from something moisturising.

Skin type: Oily, combination, and sensitive.

Fragrance-free: Yes.

Related: Is Your Cleanser pH Balanced? Here’s Why It Matters

Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester Daily Brightening & Exfoliating Peel ($62.00)

Forget about Vitamin C Ester. I’m not convinced there’s enough evidence proving 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is as effective as L-Ascorbic Acid (the pure form of Vitamin C). The reason Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester Daily Brightening & Exfoliating Peel is the mix of Glycolic Acid and Gluconolactone, two exfoliating acids that dissolve the glue that holds skin cells together, so they can slough off your face faster. Result? Your skin is softer. Your complexion smoother. And dark spots fade away faster. Plus, it has a sprinkle of antioxidants to fight premature aging. Did I mention there’s no need to rinse it off?

Available at: Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, Nordstrom, Perricone MD, and Sephora

Active ingredients: Glycolic Acid and Gluconolactone.

Benefits: Exfoliates and brightens the complexion.

Cons: Like all exfoliants, it can cause dryness and irritation when used too often.

Skin type: Dry skin.

Fragrance-free: Technically yes. But it has some fragrant citrus extracts that make it smell good (and can irritate sensitive skin).

Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Clean Correction Smoothing Restorative Serum ($105.00)

Do you ever feel like you’re missing out on the best anti-aging actives (think Glycolic Acid or retinoids) just because you haven’t sensitive skin that can’t tolerate them? Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Clean Correction Smoothing Restorative Serum is the answer to all your skincare prayers. It uses niacinamide and bakuchiol to fight premature aging. Niacinamide does pretty much everything you ask it too. It fights free radicals, brightens the complexion, and hydrates skin. Bakuchiol is a plant-based alternative to retinol. It boosts collagen and fights wrinkles – and is safe even for sensitive skin and during pregnancy.

Available at: Look Fantastic, Nordstrom, Perricone MD, and Sephora

Active ingredients: Niacinamide and bakuchiol.

Benefits: Fights wrinkles and brightens the complexion.

Cons: Works more slowly than retinoid serums.

Skin type: Sensitive skin.

Fragrance-free: Yes.

Perricone MD High Potency Hyaluronic Intensive Hydrating Serum ($135.00)

Let’s be honest: there are much, much, much cheaper Hyaluronic Acid serums that do the same thing. So, if you can’t afford this, don’t stress. But if you can afford the splurge, Perricone MD High Potency Hyaluronic Intensive Hydrating Serum has 3 forms of Hyaluronic acid – and each one of them can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water! Can you imagine how much moisture it drenches your skin with? More moisture = plumper skin. Plus, it has a generous dollop of niacinamide to soothe skin, hydrate dryness, brighten the complexion… It just makes your skin looks and feel so much better!

Available at: Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, Perricone MD, and Sephora

Active ingredients: Niacinamide and 3 forms of Hyaluronic Acid.

Benefits: Hydrates, plumps up skin, and brightens the complexion.

Cons: Expensive.

Skin type: All skin types.

Fragrance-free: Yes.

Perricone MD High Potency Classics Hyaluronic Intensive Moisturizer ($75.00)

If you really can’t stomach that much for a hyaluronic acid serum, Perricone MD High Potency Classics Hyaluronic Intensive Moisturizer is the next best thing. It’s still packed with 3 different forms of hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate skin in a moisturising shea butter base that nourishes skin. Did I mention it has a dollop of niacinamide to soothe, hydrate, and brighten the complexion? This combination softens skin, plumps up fine lines and wrinkles, and gives the complexion a radiant glow. But it won’t treat wrinkles or firm skin.

Available at: Harrods, Look Fantastic, Nordstrom, Perricone MD, Sephora, and Ulta

Active ingredients: Niacinamide, Shea butter, and 3 forms of hyaluronic acid.

Benefits: Moisturises skin and plumps up fine lines and wrinkles.

Cons: Doesn’t have anti-aging properties.

Skin type: Dry, combination, and sensitive skin.

Fragrance-free: Yes.

Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester CCC + Ferulic Brightening Complex 20% ($165.00)

The best Vitamin C serums have 15% L-Ascorbic Acid (the pure form of Vitamin C) coupled with antioxidants Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid. Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester CCC + Ferulic Brightening Complex 20% does things a little differently. L-Ascorbic Acid can be irritating and goes bad within weeks. So Perricone MD substituted it with 3 Vitamin C derivatives: 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate. The latter is my fave. It’s the most researched and proven to help treat mini pimples in oily and acne-prone skin. If other Vitamin C serums break you out or you have sensitive skin that can’t tolerate L-Ascorbic Acid, this is a good option to consider.

Available at: Look Fantastic, Perricone MD, Sephora, Skin Store, and Ulta

Active ingredients: 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (all forms of Vitamin C).

Benefits: Fights wrinkles and brightens the complexion.

Cons: Expensive. Not as effective as L-Ascorbic Acid at fighting wrinkles.

Skin type: Sensitive and acne-prone.

Fragrance-free: No.

Perricone MD Correction Barrier Repair Nourishing Moisturizer ($75.00)

Got dry skin that just won’t heal? Or sensitive skin that gets easily irritated? Perricone MD Correction Barrier Repair Nourishing Moisturizer is for you. It has a moisturising coconut-derived and probiotic base that moisturises skin and strengthens its protective barrier against environmental aggressors. Plus, it’s enriched with colloidal oatmeal, bisabolol and other skin-soothers to reduce redness and irritation. The rich texture glides smoothly onto the skin and is a godsend for dry, sensitive skin especially in the colder winter months.

Available at: Nordstrom, Perricone MD, and Ulta

Active ingredients: Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, colloidal oatmeal, and bisabolol.

Benefits: Moisturises skin and soothes irritations.

Cons: Not anti-aging.

Skin type: Dry and sensitive skin.

Fragrance-free: Yes.

Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester Brightening Eye Serum ($75.00)

I usually don’t recommend eye creams or serums. They’re just facial moisturisers and serums in smaller containers – and they cost more for the small amount you get. This serum stands out because it’s literally loaded with antioxidants, especially Vitamins C and E. While most eye serums are simply moisturising, this one can help you prevent crow’s feet. I could do without the fragrance, but if it doesn’t irritate your skin, this is a lovely eye serum for most skin types. It’s also super lightweight and fast-absorbing.

Available at: Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Perricone MD, Sephora, and Skin Store

Active ingredients: Vitamins C and E.

Benefits: Prevents crow’s feet.

Cons: Contain fragrance, which may irritate sensitive skin.

Skin type: All skin types bar sensitive.

Fragrance-free: No.

What Are The Best Perricone MD Products For Wrinkles?

  • Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Clean Correction Smoothing Restorative Serum ($105.00): A gentle anti-aging treatment with bakuchiol and niacinamide to fight free radicals and boost collagen. It’s so gentle, even sensitive skin can use it. Available at Look Fantastic, Nordstrom, Perricone MD, and Sephora
  • Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester Brightening Eye Serum ($75.00): A lightweight eye serum packaged with antioxidants vitamins C and E to prevent crow’s feet. Available at Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Perricone MD, Sephora, and Skin Store

What Are The Best Perricone MD Products For Acne?

Dr Perricone doesn’t have any products that specifically target acne.

What Are The Best Perricone MD Products For Dark Spots?

  • Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester Daily Brightening & Exfoliating Peel ($62.00): An exfoliating acid that smoothens out the skin’s texture, brightens the complexion, and helps fade away dark spots. Available at Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, Nordstrom, Perricone MD, and Sephora

What Are The Best Perricone MD Products For Sensitive Skin?

  • Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Clean Correction Smoothing Restorative Serum ($105.00): A gentle anti-aging treatment with bakuchiol and niacinamide to fight free radicals and boost collagen. It’s so gentle, even sensitive skin can use it. Available at Look Fantastic, Nordstrom, Perricone MD, and Sephora
  • Perricone MD Correction Barrier Repair Nourishing Moisturizer ($75.00): A moisturising base infused with skin-soothers, like colloidal oatmeal and bisabolol (the anti-inflammatory active in chamomile) to banish dryness and reduce redness and irritations. Available at Nordstrom, Perricone MD, and Ulta

What Are The Pros Of Perricone MD Skincare?

The line is hit and miss (like every other line, really), but the best products contain scientifically proven to work actives that do what they say on the tin. Hyaluronic acid to plump up skin. Retinol to fight wrinkles. Gentler forms of Vitamin C to prevent wrinkles and brighten the complexion. And all of them have a moisturising base to nourish skin and make it naturally softer and plumper.

What Are The Cons Of Perricone MD Skincare?

The first “con” is obvious. This stuff is expensive. That’s not necessarily a con. If a product is well-formulated and keeps its promise, it’s worth the splurge. My main issue is, a lot of Perricone MD products use derivatives of Vitamin C and peptides that haven’t been proven to be as revolutionary as the brand claims. I wouldn’t want to pay premium price for them, know what I mean?

Is Perricone MD Cruelty-Free?

Yes, Perricone MD is cruelty-free. They don’t test on animals, neither themselves nor through a third party.

About Gio

Hi, I'm Gio. I'm a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever - every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what's worth the splurge and what's best left on the shelf - using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.