Can Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Really Interrupt Premature Aging?

Can you interrupt A.G.E.?

A.G.E. stands for advanced glycation end-products, abnormal structures that damage collagen and make your skin sag and age faster.

What causes them? Sugar. The more you eat, the more A.G.E.s your skin produces. Bummer! I need my sugar fix every now and then, so I’m looking for other ways to undo, or at least stop, the damage A.G.E.s cause to my skin.

Enter Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter. It features 30% proxylane™ to fight the wrinkles and sagging caused by the glycation process. Does it work? I’ve put it to the test to find out:

About The Brand: Skinceuticals

Skinceuticals is on a mission to provide science-based advanced skincare products that help protect skin against environmental aggressors, prevent wrinkles, and fight acne. Born from decades of skin cancer research that led to pivotal breakthroughs in antioxidants, Skinceuticals is investing heavily in research to bring us even more innovative formulations that work better and faster.

The catch? Skincare research is expensive – and so are Skinceuticals products. They’re one of the few high-end brands worth the splurge (if your wallet can take it). They were also one of the first brands to be sold in doctors’ office and get their seal of approval.

Key Ingredients In Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter: What Makes It Work?

PROXYLANE TO HYDRATE AND FIRM SKIN

Developed by L’Oreal (the owners of Skinceuticals), Proxylane is a sugarprotein hybrid derived from xylose, a natural sugar found in beechwood. According to L’Oreal, Pro-Xylane boosts the production of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), a component of your natural skin’s barrier. The more GAGs your skin has, the more hydrated and firmer it is. I’d personally like more research (I tend to take anything developed by brands with a grain of salt), but what we have so far is promoting.

Related: I Went On The Low Glycemic Diet And It Transformed My Skin

SILICONES TO MINIMIZE IMPERFECTIONS

The base of this moisturiser is made up of silicones. It’s not as bad as you think. Silicones do a lot of good things in skincare:

• Enhance texture: They allow the cream to glide on smoothly, without tugging or pulling.
• Fill in fine lines and wrinkles: It’s a trick to make them look temporarily smaller.
• Softens skin: It makes it feel silky soft to the touch.

They don’t even cause pimples: silicones have a particular molecular structure made up of larger molecules with wider spaces between each molecule. They create a barrier that keeps moisture in but still allows skin to perspire.

But if you use anything comedogenic before this cream, then yes, silicones can trap them underneath their protective barrier and cause breakouts.

Bottom line: don’t use comedogenic ingredients in your skincare routine when you’re using silicones as well and you’ll be fine (actually, you shouldn’t use comedogenic ingredients at all, especially if you have oily, acne-prone skin).

Related: Are Silicones In Skincare Bad?

Struggling to put together a skincare routine that minimises wrinkles, prevents premature aging, and gives your complexion a youthful glow? Download your FREE “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):

The Rest Of The Formula & Ingredients

• Aqua / water / eau: The base of this (and most) skincare products.
• Propylene glycol: A type of alcohol that enhances the penetration of active ingredients into your skin. It also has moisturising properties.
• Glycerin: A powerful humectant that draws water from the air into your skin, helping it to stay hydrated for longer.
• Synthetic wax: It prevents the oily and watery parts of the formula from separating.
• Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate: It’s here to adjust the thickness of the formula.
• CI 77163 / bismuth oxychloride: It gives the formulation a silky feeling and makes it adhere to skin better. But, it can be irritating for sensitive skin.
• Phenoxyethanol: A preservative that kills any bacteria that dares enter your precious jar of moisturiser, helping it last longer.
• Magnesium sulfate: It’s used to dilute other ingredients and to increase the volume of a formula.
• Ethylhexyl hydroxystearate: An occlusive emollient that creates a film on the skin that keeps moisture in and irritants out. In other words, it moisturises skin and strengthens its protective barrier.
• Salicyloyl phytosphingosine: Derived from the combination of exfoliant salicylic acid and natural moisturising factor phytosphingosine, this ingredient has been shown in in-vitro studies (NOT real skin) to boost collagen, repair photo damage, and diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Acrylates copolymer: It helps to stabilise emulsions so they don’t separate into their oily and watery parts.
• Methylparaben: A preservative that keeps your moisturiser safe from bacteria contamination. Contrary to popular opinion, parabens are safe and do NOT cause cancer.
• Ethylparaben: Another preservative belonging to the parabens family. It kills bacteria and germs before they can contaminate and spoil your skincare products, keeping them safe to use for longer. And nope, it does NOT give you cancer.
• Disodium edta: It binds and deactivates the metal ions found in water, which could spoil the moisturiser if left unchecked.
• Vaccinium myrtillus extract / vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract: A powerful antioxidant that helps prevent premature aging. Sadly, there’s only a drop here, so it won’t do anything for skin.
• Parfum / fragrance: It makes the product smell nice (but it’s irritating for sensitive skin).
• Butylphenyl methylpropional: A synthetic aroma that makes the moisturiser smell nice. But it can be irritating for sensitive skin.
• Coumarin: It makes the product smell nice. But it can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Texture

The cream has a lovely, mousse-like, whipped texture. In the jar, it looks super thick and like it’s going to take ages to absorb. Imagine my (pleasant!) surprise when I found the texture way more lightweight than it seemed. It sinks in quickly into your skin, too – without leaving a greasy residue.

Fragrance

The cream smells like white florals. I personally don’t like the smell of white florals. I find it overpowering to the point of sickness. Yes, I’m weird like that. But I have many friends who adore white florals. If that’s you, you’ll love this scent.

BUT, regardless of where you stand on white florals, fragrance is the most irritating ingredient in skincare. If your skin is resistant and can tolerate fragrance well, great. Use the moisturiser. It won’t harm you.

Sensitive skin? Beware. Fragrances can easily irritate your skin type. In your case, I’d recommend you opt for a fragrance-free moisturiser (just to be on the safe side).

How Do You Use Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter?

You can use this moisturiser both in the morning and in the evening. In the AM, apply it in between serum and sunscreen. At night, it’s the last step of your skincare routine. If you’re using an oil as well, apply it after moisturiser (or just mix a few drops of it in here).

Packaging

A sleek jar with a black cap. Brands keep using jars because people like them. And, at this price point, most consumers expect to see an elegant jar. But, I’m NOT a fan. Jars aren’t hygienic. Every time you insert your fingers in the jar, there’s potential for bacterial contamination. Of course, there are ways around this. You could wash your hands before picking up the cream with your fingers. Or you can use the spatula that Skinceuticals has added into the box. Problem solved.

Performance & Personal Opinion

Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter isn’t the most moisturising cream I’ve tried. If you’ve got dry skin, this ain’t gonna cut it. You can pile it on and still your skin will demand more moisture than it can give it.

Oily and combination skin types will like it a lot better. It adds just that little extra touch of hydration your skin needs to stay soft and supple during the day/night.

Still, it’s more of a maintenance cream than anything else. You won’t see much improvement in the texture and brightness of your skin. It just keeps the status quo, so your skin doesn’t get worse.

I’m also not convinced that this alone can fight A.G.E.s. A diet mostly free of sugar (come on, you need a cheat day every now and then) will help more with this than any cream you can buy.

At least, it’s not comedogenic. I’ve been using it for weeks and not a single pimple has reared its ugly head.

How Does Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Compare To The Other Skinceuticals Anti-Aging Creams?

Like most brands, Skinceuticals has more than one anti-aging moisturiser. How do you know which one is right for you? Here’s a quick comparison, so you can make the smartest decision for your skin:

• Skinceuticals Face Cream ($148.00): A lightweight cream loaded with antioxidants that fight free radicals, the molecules that give you wrinkles. Antioxidants are preventative. By neutralising free radicals, they prevent wrinkles from forming in the first place. Available at Skinceuticals.
• Skinceuticals Renew Overnight Dry ($64.00): Loaded with 10% exfoliating Alpha Hydroxy Acids, it’s great for dry, sun-damaged skin. It smoothes out your skin’s texture and fades away dark spots. But use it only every other night. Exfoliation isn’t a daily job. Available at Blue Mercury, Dermstore, and Skinceuticals.
• Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 ($136.00): A deeply moisturising cream loaded with ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol. They’re the building blocks of your skin’s protective barrier. When your skin has enough of them, it naturally looks smoother, softer, and plumper. It’s more suitable for dry skin, dehydrated skin, and anyone with a broken protective barrier. Available at Skinceuticals.

What I Like About Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter

• Lightweight, fast-absorbing texture.
• Hydrating enough for oily skin.
• Makes skin softer.
• Non-comedogenic.

What I DIDN’T Like About Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter

• It has fragrance.
• Jar packaging isn’t hygienic.
• Didn’t do much for my skin about maintaining the status quo.

Who Should Use It?

This moisturiser is best suitable for oily and combination skin. Instead, I would NOT recommend it for:

• Dry skin: Not moisturising enough for you.
• Sensitive skin: Fragrance may irritate your skin.
• Anti-aging: If you want to fight A.G.E.s, your best bet is still to minimise sugar consumption.

Does Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Live Up To Its Claims?

Is Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Cruelty-Free?

Skinceuticals is not cruelty-free. Although the brand itself doesn’t test on animals, they’re owned by L’Oreal, which does. It’s up to you to know if you’re comfortable with this or not.

Price & Availability

$169.00/£160.00 at Dermstore

The Verdict: Should You Buy It?

No one needs a moisturiser this expensive. But if you’ve got combination skin and a fat wallet, you’ll like this.

Dupes & Alternatives

• L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Laser Renew Anti-Ageing Cream SPF20 (£22.49): The beauty of Skinceuticals being owned by L’Oreal is that you can find the same key ingredients in their cheaper brands too. This is what’s happening here. Available at Boots and Feel Unique.
• Vichy Neovadiol Compensating Complex Day Care for Normal to Combination Skin (£30.00): Another moisturiser with Proxylane plus Hyaluronic Acid to deeply hydrate and plump skin. Available at Boots

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.