Analyzing the Clinical Evidence

A Suite of Skincare Products to Complement Peel and Procedure Results

Chemical peels and other in-office procedures often surge in popularity during the winter months with cooler weather and reduced sun exposure. With people spending more time indoors, winter offers a more comfortable recovery period for rejuvenating skin and addressing sun damage from the summer.

This winter, more clinically proven skincare products are available to optimize these procedures. SkinCeuticals provides physician-tested solutions for use before, during, and after chemical peels and other in-office procedures that can complement results.

The science continues to expand in support of antioxidant serums such as C E Ferulic, which contains 15% pure vitamin C and has been shown to reduce 8 signs of aging like course wrinkles, discoloration, texture while improving skin firmness, even tone, elasticity, radiance, and overall appearance as well as reduce downtime for ablative CO2 laser procedures.1,2 Two other antioxidant serums, Silymarin CF and Phloretin CF, have been shown to reduce skin oiliness and discoloration, respectively, among other benefits shown when tested with non-ablative laser.1

For laser treatments, Advanced RGN-6 utilizes 6 ingredients for 6 dimensions of rejuvenation and skin repair: 1% eperuline and 0.2% ectoin for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; 10% glycorepair, 0.2% bioceramide 603, and 3% acetyl tetrapeptide-9 for barrier and dermal recovery; and 2% niacinamide for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation/post-inflammatory erythema prevention. Clinical studies have found Advanced RGN-6 to maximize anti-aging results for non-ablative laser procedures; studies also have evaluated Advanced RGN-6 on improving post-procedure downtime and signs of aging following ablative lasers.¹

For pairing with chemical peels, Cell Cycle Catalyst has been shown to lead to greater statistically significant improvement in dark spot intensity as well as greater significant improvement in skin tone evenness and tactile smoothness.¹

Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 Cream, meanwhile, has been shown to shorten the adjustment period, improve tolerability, and decrease dryness when integrated with retinoid use.¹ It has also been shown to be beneficial for multiple skin types and ages (especially older individuals with reduced skin lipids levels) when integrated in real world cases using a variety of procedures like laser or radiofrequency microneedling treatments.³

- Alison A. Murakami, PhD, VP and Head, Medical Affairs

What aesthetic procedures are patients requesting this holiday season, and how do advanced skincare treatments optimize results?

It’s exciting that the holidays are upon us! Now that the days of laying on the beach are over, patients are most frequently requesting laser treatments (such as ablative and non-ablative lasers), microneedling (with or without radiofrequency), chemical peels, and ultrasound-based skin tightening. These procedures are popular because patients are no longer in the sun, they are starting to prepare for social gatherings, and they have more time off for recovery.

Pre- and post-skincare routines are crucial: before procedures, products such as C E Ferulic and Cell Cycle Catalyst can prepare the skin by enhancing its resilience and turnover. Furthermore, they can decrease skin recovery time for less downtime. Immediately after treatments, my favorite product is Advanced RGN-6 Regenerative Cream to bolster the skin barrier, reduce visible redness, and decrease recovery time. Advanced RGN-6 was shown to significantly reduce post-procedure downtime (less crusting, erythema) after CO2 laser in a split-face study.¹ For radiofrequency microneedling on the neck, the addition of C E Ferulic has been shown to improve overall results with reduction of fine lines and wrinkling, pigmentation, skin tone evenness, and tactile toughness.

What clinical evidence regarding topical antioxidants are you sharing with patients?

Clinical trials have shown how pairing antioxidants with in-office procedures can both enhance clinical results and decrease downtime. I’m most excited about a recent clinical trial that verified the efficacy of C E Ferulic across all skin tones and both men and women, with new results shown to improve plumpness (+13.9%) and to reduce redness (-55%), pore appearance (-22%), and PIH/PIE (-24.9%) at 8 weeks. In a split-face study with C E Ferulic and a CO2 laser, the C E Ferulic-treated side showed faster recovery time by 24 to 48 hours, decreased swelling, and increased basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on skin biopsies.^1,2

Newer integrated skincare studies like C E Ferulic when paired with a 1927 nm laser (Clear + Brilliant®) in an inclusive population showed significant improvements in skin tone evenness (as early as Day 28) and skin smoothness (at Day 84) over baseline.¹ Additional new science includes when C E Ferulic was evaluated with microneedling (MN) in a split-face and radiofrequency microneedling (RFMN) in a split-neck study: MN face results showed that the side treated with C E Ferulic showed significantly lower erythema scores, improved skin hydration, and better reductions in melanin index compared to the placebo side.¹ Overall patient satisfaction was higher and pain was less on the C E Ferulic–treated side, indicating that topical application of C E Ferulic after microneedling reduced visible redness, supported hydration, and promoted a faster, more comfortable recovery with greater improvements compared to placebo.¹ RFMN neck results showed that the treated side with C E Ferulic showed statistically greater improvements than placebo in wrinkles and elastosis compared to baseline, with additional biomarker results showing an increase in elastin on the treated side compared to placebo after 12 weeks post-RFMN.¹ These results support what physicians and patients have observed for years: combining a thoughtful, curated skincare routine with laser procedures leads to better outcomes.

What makes Advanced RGN-6 Regenerative Cream uniquely effective with in-office laser procedures?

Advanced RGN-6 Regenerative Cream has been tested and shown to provide laser synergy, offering significant benefits during the post-laser healing phase.¹ Inspired by laser regeneration science, RGN-6 was designed with ingredients to improve barrier repair and reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) after laser procedures. In an ablative laser healing study, Advanced RGN-6 showed greater improvement in visual smoothness, surface roughness, and hydration than a leading anhydrous competitor and laser alone at just 1 week post-laser.¹ The cream was also evaluated in a split-face study conducted on subjects following ablative CO₂ laser treatment to evaluate post-procedure downtime and signs of aging post-laser.¹ The antioxidant and barrier/dermal recovery ingredients combine to make this the perfect post-procedure and daily rejuvenating product.

How do you recommend A.G.E. Interrupter Ultra Serum for your procedure and GLP-1 agonist patients?

A.G.E. Interrupter Ultra Serum will revolutionize the skincare market. It provides a visible lift to the face and neck, and is the natural choice for people on GLP-1 agonists. Because GLP-1 agonists can cause rapid weight loss and result in sagging skin, it’s important to start using A.G.E Interrupter Ultra Serum concurrent with that treatment. This formula contains flavo-proxylane technology (Proxylane™ and wild fruit flavonoids with new cassia alata extract) and lifting boosters (rhamnose and gentiana lutea root extract). In a split-face and -neck clinical trial, patients on GLP-1 agonists and receiving ultrasound treatments while using A.G.E. regimen (serum and cream) showed 44% improvement in mid face-jawline skin laxity compared to 24% improvement in controls at 8 weeks.¹ These patients also showed 34% improvement for marionette lines on the A.G.E. regimen-treated side compared to only 15% improvement on the control side of the face.¹ The use of A.G.E. regimen plus ultrasound therapy in GLP-1 patients resulted in greater improvements and visible contour definition compared to placebo and control,1 making it an optimal adjunct for both general procedural care and unique needs arising from rapid body weight changes related to GLP-1 agonists.

How does Cell Cycle Catalyst enhance results of peel procedures?

Cell Cycle Catalyst enhances peel outcomes by priming the skin for even, rapid cell turnover without excessive irritation. Used pre-procedure for 14 days, it prepares the skin by removing dead cells and renews the skin without irritation, creating optimal conditions for deeper penetration of peel actives.¹ The 7.7% multi-acid (phytic, mandelic, salicylic, lactic, and glycolic) combination accelerates cell turnover while the 1% taurine acts as an osmolyte.¹ Post-procedure, reintroducing Cell Cycle Catalyst has been shown to result in greater improvements in smoothness, evenness, and dark spot intensity. Studies confirm enhanced tactile radiance, smoother texture, fewer noticeable pores, and less discoloration, safely supporting skin both before and after peels.¹ Cell Cycle Catalyst has been tested on all skin types.

What clinical data support combination use of Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 with other treatments like retinoids?

The combination of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids improves hydration, restores the skin barrier, and optimizes the skin’s overall lipid balance. In an 8-week study, ceramide levels increased by 56%, cholesterol levels by 50%, and mature corneocytes by 200%.1 Because it does such a great job at restoring skin hydration, it’s the perfect skincare choice all year round for someone on retinols or other drying treatments such as alpha or beta-hydroxy acids.

1. Data on file, SkinCeuticals

2. Waibel JS, Mi QS, et al. Laser-assisted delivery of vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid formula serum decreases fractional laser postoperative recovery by increased beta fibroblast growth factor expression. Lasers Surg Med. 2016;48(3):238-44. doi: 10.1002/lsm.22448. Epub 2015 Nov 27.

3. Gold M, Andriessen A, et al. Real-world patient cases using triple lipid-containing cream for cutaneous healing post laser or microneedling radiofrequency treatment. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(9):68821s3-68821s14. PMID: 39231086.