Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter
Can you lab-create the miracle of youth?
Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Overview
SkinCeuticals, the company behind the A.G.E. Interrupter, says that this high-end, high-concentration anti-wrinkle cream has been formulated to make vast improvements on the visible signs of aging as caused by Advanced Glycation End-products, or A.G.E.
SkinCeuticals is a cosmetics company founded on the belief that proper science can enhance natural skincare far beyond even the best organic alternatives, and rigorously studies each product they produce.
A Closer Look at Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter
For the steep price of more than $160 for just two ounces, we expect perfection in a product. A.G.E. Interrupter is definitely one of the better anti-aging cosmetics we have seen, but the price alone makes it a hard sell for us. Most customers can’t afford to pay so much for so little product. We wish that was our only objection, but parabens have somehow snuck their way into this otherwise high-quality cream, which is a strike in the negative column once again for us.
However, overall customer reviews express largely satisfaction, with most seeing some desired results rather quickly. In a 12-week study (conducted by Skinceuticals themselves), participants claimed to see ‘significant’ improvement in fine lines, wrinkles, firmness, and skin texture. But, with any in-house study, the potential for bias rises. We would like to see some nonbiased studies conducted and look at a verdict there.
Positives
- Contains blueberry extract and other anti-agers
- Luxurious smell and feel
- Might help with fine lines and wrinkles
Negatives
- Contains potentially carcinogenic parabens
- Possibly irritating to sensitive skin
- Very Expensive
- Also contains environmental contagions
Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Key Ingredients
When looking at a product of this price, we expect a certain standard. Skinceuticals promises to deliver, but their A.G.E. Interrupter misses the mark a little bit. With synthetics, preservatives, and parabens to boot, it is an ingredient list we do not readily associate with such an expensive price. We see some of the same inexpensive fillers, along with an alarming number of preservatives and ingredients with questionable efficacy when combined.
Propylene Glycol
More often than not, the delivery ingredient is included at the top of many an ingredient list just for the sheer fact that it keeps most products from melting in high heat or freezing at low temperatures. It can be used in commercial grade anti-freeze, as well as in your skin cream. But not to worry. Toxicologists have ruled this ingredient as safe and relatively harmless when applied topically in small concentrations. It also helps active ingredients penetrate deeper into the skin, which can be a positive or negative, depending entirely on the accompanying ingredients.
Dimethicone
If you have dry skin or eczema, look for products with Dimethicone in the label. This silicone oil creates a barrier against skin irritants, protecting the dermis from harm. It helps to prevent water loss, keeping skin’s natural moistness and locking in the moisture provided by other ingredients like Glycerin. It provides that smooth, creamy feeling when sliding across the surface of the skin. Some claims state it can improve irritation caused by dermatitis, and it is approved by the FDA. However, as it is silicone, it does not readily absorb into the skin, but rather rests on top like a blanket, trapping everything below it, so always cleanse before use. Also, it is not biodegradable, so there could be environmental costs we haven’t discovered yet.
Methylparaben
This chemical is actually an insect pheromone, but for cosmetic use it acts as a fungicide. In tests done on mice, it has been shown that large doses of Methylparaben mimic the activity of estrogen. While the USFDA still recognizes parabens like Methylparaben safe for use in small doses, there has been an uproar of controversy during recent years. Countless studies have been done to show its lack of toxicity, and yet other studies indicated that it could react poorly with UVB and lead to premature skin aging. The paraben wars rage on, and while both sides have their arguments as to whether or not this ingredient is dangerous, it’s still on consumer shelves. 1
Disodium EDTA
While Disodium EDTA is commonly included as a preservative or stabilizer in many skincare products, it also functions as a penetration enhancer. This can be helpful in allowing the additional ingredients in the product to move deeper into the skin, it also allows anything else that might come in contact to move past the dermis’ normal barriers as well. This is particularly troubling when paired with certain chemicals which you probably don’t want diving deep into your skin and beyond, including the others included in this product. 2
Coumarin
This organic chemical compound is solid at room temperature and has a sweet, vanilla-like aroma, but a bitter, acrid taste. In plants, it acts as an inhibitor and a defense against would-be predators. In cosmetics, it is most often a scent masker, covering up chemical or artificial smells that consumers might find ‘unpleasant’. It can be an allergen, and is subject to limitations and restrictions according to the International Fragrance Association Codes & Standards.
Full List of Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Ingredients
aqua / water / eau, propylene glycol, dimethicone, hydroxypropyl tetrahydropyrantriol, cyclohexasiloxane, isohexadecane, glycerin, synthetic wax, dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer, aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, ci 77163 / bismuth oxychloride, phenoxyethanol, magnesium sulfate, ethylhexyl hydroxystearate, salicyloyl phytosphingosine, acrylates copolymer, methylparaben, ethylparaben, disodium EDTA, vaccinium myrtillus extract / vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, parfum / fragrance, butylphenyl methylpropional, coumarin
Directions: How to Use Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter
SkinCeuticals advises using this cream alongside a full regimen of products for best results. First, wash and cleanse your skin. Then gently apply A.G.E. Interrupter across the skin of your face, neck, and decolletage as desired. Continue with the rest of your skin care routine as normal, with or without makeup. It can be used at night as well for double efficacy.
The Final Word on Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter
With a hefty price tag on even the smallest size available, even trying A.G.E. Interrupter by SkinCeuticals is a large commitment, and one we can’t advise for haphazardly. If you are interested in all-natural, completely safe products with no parabens or synthetics, then this is not the cream for you. It can’t even readily be called better than its much less expensive competitors in the skin care aisle of your local big box store.
If you are looking for a better skin cream, or there’s a hole in your skincare regimen that needs filling, look no further than our additional articles on health, beauty, and skincare!
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OUR BEST RATED PRODUCTS
- #1 recommended to support younger-looking skin.
- Clinically shown to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
- Rescues and protects skin from damage.
- Deeply moisturizes to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
- All-in-one, full spectrum anti-aging serum
- Repairs and fights damage to keep skin healthy and youthful
- Contains Ritapro 165, a next-gen moisturizer
- Helps to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles
