Perricone MD Review – Are These Anti-Aging Skincare Products Worth It?

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Despite the fact that we all know the “fountain of youth” fantasy has long been a way for snake-oil salesmen to make money based on our desires to turn back the hands of time, scientists are now beginning to ask: What if we could challenge the aging process?

What if aging were a treatable condition and not a natural consequence we must accept without intervention?

Anti-aging skincare and makeup are no longer beauty fads but a necessary part of everyday skincare for women over 35, and Perricone MD is at the forefront of this movement.

Dr. Nicholas Perricone launched this celebrity brand 20 years ago to cater to inflamed skin, and the brand has expanded beyond cleaners, toners, and moisturizer to include No-Makeup products and supplements.

Research data have shown that these products offer proven solutions to everyday skin care problems such as inflammation, blemishes, wrinkles, fine lines, and aging.

They have garnered raving reviews and excellent ratings from a devoted following, known as “Perriconistas.”

To help you determine if this brand is the right skincare package for you, we’ve put the product content to the test in this review to offer all the information you need to know before buying.

We take a closer look at this brand to learn more about its ingredients, how they work and how to use them, its product ratings, the brand customer service experience, and whether you should buy.

About Perricone MD and Dr. Nicholas Perricone

Nicholas Perricone

Perricone MD was the brainchild of Dr. Nicholas Perricone, an American board-certified dermatologist and Yale School of Medicine assistant clinical professor, in 1997.

Perricone MD LLC manufactures these premier skincare and makeup products as part of its overall philosophy that one’s health, beauty, and wellness are interdependent.

As a doctor and former Yale School of Medicine assistant clinical professor of dermatology, Dr. Perricone used his expertise to publish his first book in 2000, “The Wrinkle Cure,” to underscore his beliefs about what it takes to maintain good skin.

His other books include “Ageless Face, Ageless Mind,” “Forever Young,” and “Dr. Perricone’s 7 Secrets to Beauty, Health, and Longevity: The Miracle of Cellular Rejuvenation.”

Dr. Perricone believes that people can control inflammation by using his potent line of cleanser, toner, moisturizer, foundation, and makeup together with an alkaline anti-inflammatory diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, dietary supplements, and exercise.

This regimen quickly exhibits the benefits that users experience both externally and internally because of the vitamin and mineral content your skin is absorbing.

Hence, as research data has shown, this brand comes out on top as a tool to fight skin aging.

Consequently, Dr. Perricone’s Three-Tier Philosophy focuses on a 3-day and 28-day diet plan full of quality proteins, antioxidants, and vitamin supplements from foods like organic chicken, wild salmon, nuts, pulses, fruit, and yogurt.

Although Dr. Perricone no longer practices medicine, he is involved in Perricone MD LLC. In 2020, the UK’s THC Group acquired Perricone MD for $60 million as one of its brands.

Review of Perricone MD’s Best-Selling Products

perricone skincare

Perricone MD is dedicated to research-backed cleanser, toner, moisturizer, makeup, and supplements that keep skin looking younger for longer and that repair the damage reflected in redness and inflammation.

One of Perricone MD’s most popular products has been the Cold Plasma Cream that hit the market in 2009.

In 2014, the brand expanded into a revolutionary line of “No Makeup” foundation and eye cream – cosmetics that revolutionized skincare and pioneered the concept of cosmeceuticals.

The latest skincare line to join the Perricone MD range is a new collection known as the Hypoallergenic CBD Sensitive Skin Therapy Collection.

This line of cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and foundation contains 99% pure U.S.-sourced cannabidiol (CBD) as an active ingredient and has content specially formulated for sensitive skin.

Drawing from review requests and experience from brand loyalists who love the Perricone brand, Perricone MD took innovation with CBD content to the next level by introducing this new skincare range.

Perriconistas (loyal fans who love this product) have led the call many times for the company to review the benefits of CBD and venture into this skincare concept catering to a market looking to combine skincare with the latest health and wellness trends.

However, the skincare brand also has firm favorites that experience has shown have sold well over time and gotten rave reviews on many websites.

These include the following, for which we provide more detailed information about contents and use.

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1. Cold Plasma Plus + Advanced Serum Concentrate

Cold Plasma Plus

Cold Plasma Plus + Advanced Serum Concentrate is an advanced face serum concentrate that promotes healthy and youthful-looking skin, much like its sister cream the Cold Plasma Plus+ Sub D/Neck.

This product uses a patented liquid crystal delivery system that allows for the quick penetration of key ingredients into the skin, leaving the face feeling and looking more radiant and plump.

Fans use it to reduce discoloration, redness, wrinkles, lines, and enlarged pores on the face and neck.

Ingredients

This moisturizer is lightweight, fragrance-free, cruelty-free, vegan, and fast-absorbing.

It is perfect for sensitive skins as it has no phthalate, paraben, talc, sulfate, or mineral-oil content that could inflame some types of skin upon use.

As a powerful natural complex with three amino acids, it also helps repair dry skin yielding a younger-looking complexion.

It contains vital active ingredients that improve the tone and texture of the skin. These are:

Copper Tripeptide – refreshes and rejuvenates the skin and protects against environmental pollutants

Omegas 3, 6, and 9 –acts as an essential moisture barrier protection to help to visibly plump and increase radiance over time

Vitamin C Ester – a potent and highly stable Vitamin C form that acts as a brightening and smoothening agent and antioxidant; Vitamin C and also gives skin a more collagen-rich appearance that minimizes discoloration

Key Benefits:

Data revealed that 100% of women who use this product showed a visible improvement in fine lines and wrinkles, and 97% showed a reduction in facial pore size in clinical trials performed on 30 women over 28 days.

A majority of consumers in a consumer review conducted on 52 women over 28 days also reported improved radiance and texture, less redness and discoloration, a more even tone, and firmer skin.

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2. High Potency Classics Face Finishing and Firming Moisturizer

High Potency Classics Face Finishing and Firming Moisturizer

This rose-scented face finishing moisturizer works to moisturize the skin deeply, yielding a luminous and youthful complexion.

It delivers instant hydration as it soothes and plumps the face and neck.

Buyers use this face finishing moisturizer to minimize visible lines and wrinkles, making their skin look more youthful.

Ingredients

Perricone’s face finishing moisturizer is 100% vegan and cruelty-free and doesn’t contain irritants like soy, phthalates, parabens, sulfates, fish, talc, or mineral oil.

The main active ingredients in this face finishing cream include:

  • DMAE – a naturally occurring ingredient that helps to visibly lift sagging skin by supporting its surface and protecting it against drying environmental pollutants
  • Vitamin E – hydrates the skin and reduces discoloratio.
  • Kukui Nut Seed Oil – a cold-pressed and nutrient-dense ingredient that deeply hydrates the skin without leaving a greasy feel; also lightweight and easily absorbed for deep and lasting hydration, making it perfect for dry, sensitive skin

Key Benefits

In a consumer review carried out on 30 women over 28 days, data showed most people reported that this face finishing cream made their skin:

  • Firmer and tighter
  • More hydrated
  • Experience more radiance
  • Look healthier
  • Show a significant reduction in fine lines & wrinkles

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3. High Potency Classics Nutritive Cleanser

High Potency Classics Nutritive Cleanser

This gentle gel cleanser softens, conditions, and prepares the skin for treatment.

It is non-drying, softening, and conditioning while quickly and effectively removing dirt, excess oil, and impurities from your face and neck without stripping.

The recommended use of this cleanser is for normal-to-dry skin.

Ingredients

Classics Nutritive Cleanser does not contain skin-stressing gluten, soy, fish, milk, parabens, phthalates, talc, or mineral oil.

It is also 100% vegan and not tested on animals.

Active ingredients that work to make skin refreshed and cleansed include:

  • Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) – a powerful, fat-and-water-soluble antioxidant that reduces the lines, wrinkles, and enlarged pores
  • Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) – plant-based organic acids that gently hydrate and exfoliate the skin, making it brighter and more youthful
  • Copper Complex – a powerful hydration ingredient that improves the firmness and elasticity of the skin

Key Benefits

Consumers who used the product reported that their skin felt:

  • Clean and refreshed
  • Non-greasy
  • Perfectly prepped for toner, moisturizer, foundation, and makeup
  • Soft and conditioned

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4. High Potency Growth Factor Firming and Lifting Serum

High Potency Growth Factor Firming and Lifting Serum

This powerful, dual-use serum visibly lifts and improves bounce, plumpness, and resiliency.

Use it day or night and benefit from innovative polyamine technology that lifts the skin to leave it looking radiant and smooth.

Ingredients

  • Eggshell Membrane – supports the skin’s moisture barrier and improves texture and radiance.
  • Encapsulated Retinol – a stabilized Vitamin E form that replenishes collagen-depleted skin
  • Polyamine Growth Factor – improves the skin’s elasticity and promotes a more youthful, collagen-rich, and firmer skin

Key Benefits

From data gathered from a clinical study conducted with 38 women over 56 days, most felt that the product:

  • Gave excellent face-firming action
  • Improved radiance
  • Improved skin tone, brightness, and firmness
  • Left the skin looking plump, cushioned, and resilient
  • Reduced redness and inflammation
  • Reduced wrinkles and fine lines

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5. Cold Plasma Plus+ Advanced Eye Cream

Cold Plasma Plus Advanced Eye Cream

This advanced eye cream promotes youthful-looking eyes.

It uses a patented liquid crystal delivery system for deeper penetration of active ingredients into the skin.

The product also targets and improves the skin’s feel and appearance and reduces dark circles, crow’s feet, puffiness, and firmness loss.

Ingredients

This Perricone advanced eye cream formula does not contain irritants such as nuts, milk, fish, corn, or harmful synthetic ingredients like phthalates, parabens, and sulfates.

It is also entirely fragrance-free, cruelty-free, and vegan.

Active ingredients that help to keep your under-eye skin looking supple and wrinkle-free include:

  • Copper Tripeptide – a naturally occurring amino acid complex that helps to repair dry skin and keep it looking firmer, smoother, more youthful
  • Omegas 3, 6, and 9 – pro-fatty acids that plump and radiate the skin
  • Vitamin C Ester – a highly stable and less abrasive antioxidant that smoothens, brightens, and minimizes discoloration.

Key Benefits

Data from a clinical study conducted with 32 women over 28 days showed the following results after seven days:

  • Improvement in skin elasticity
  • Reduction in dark circles and the appearance of under-eye bags
  • Significant improvement in the appearance of crow’s feet
  • Visible improvement in under-eye firmness

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Perricone MD Work? What About Side Effects?

Although most Perricone products reported positive reviews, although there were some negative reviews received on some products. Data from clinical trials and consumer studies showed that most performed well.

Many Perricone products have achieved cult status and received numerous beauty industry awards.

One of the brand’s stars is the Cold Plasma Plus + Advanced Serum Concentrate; most users loved the product, with clinical studies data showing a 100% improvement in lines & wrinkles and a 97% reduction in pore size.

However, some users found it to be too filmy to apply.

Another popular product, the Perricone MD Photo Plasma Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30, became one of the breakthroughs of 2018.

Consumer data and comments showed that it increased the skin’s hydration by 30%, reduced pore size by 8%, and improved texture by 11%.

Notably, some items contained ingredients such as acyl-glutathione, which could irritate individuals with sensitive skin, while others reported that some creams smelled awful.

Additionally, these cosmeceuticals line uses nanoparticles, which data from research shows could pose an unrecognized public health risk.

These nanoparticles easily penetrate the skin and can invade underlying blood vessels producing toxic effects.

Overall, however, most products showed positive Perricone MD reviews, and there were no significant side effects reported in the product reviews from clinical trials or consumer studies.

happy girl with beautiful skin applying face cream

Are Perricone MD Skin Care Products Good?

Perricone products were launched 23 years ago, with many of the products achieving favorite status among many users. 

This skin care line has tapped into a market that needs cleaner, toner, and moisturizer that can adequately hydrate, exfoliate, and cleanse the skin without irritating or stripping it of essential nutrients.

Data from numerous clinical trials and consumer studies show that lots of users think that the brand is worth it.

ALSO READ: Tula Skincare Review: What’s the Deal with Probiotics in Skincare?

Why Do Some Perricone MD Products Smell Bad?

Some Perricone MD content includes smelly DMAE, which is derived from fish and other stuff. The smell isn’t pleasant when you first use the product but disappears over time.

Is Perricone MD Skincare Ethical?

Yes. All Perricone MD products are 100% cruelty-free and vegan. They do not use anything that comes from animals or tests on animals.

Where Can I Buy Dr. Perricone’s Products?

Perricone MD products are available at major U.S. department stores like Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus stores and websites.

You can also purchase them from specialty beauty stores and supermarket locations or websites such as Blue Mercury, Ulta, Sephora, Walmart, and websites like QVC.

smiling pretty girl with good skin

Perricone MD Skin Care – Our Verdict and Alternatives

As we’ve seen in numerous rating sites and review articles, Perricone MD skincare products have gained a cult following due to their efficacy and quick results.

This skin care brand comes with a hefty price tag, but from the data obtained from clinical trials and studies, especially on older customers, it has, in our opinion, a high rating and worth the investment.

They’ve also been around a long time and have not had any users report adverse side effects or had any products withdrawn from the market in significant product recalls.

If the price is an issue, you may want to check out [promo-showProductNameAffLink] moisturizer, which is more affordable but has the same quality of ingredients and content to keep the skin youthful, wrinkle-free, supple, and toned.

For instance, it contains hyaluronic acid that attracts and locks in moisture. For more information, please use the link above.

XYZ Smart Collagen moisturizer is also effective at nourishing and firming skin, eliminating fine lines and wrinkles from your face, and restoring your skin’s elasticity by preserving its natural collagen.

Part of the content in this moisturizer includes light-reflecting technology that keeps skin radiant.

If you are looking for an alternative anti-aging moisturizer to Perricone MD at the right price, we give XYZ Smart Collagen cream a 5-star rating.

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Avatar for Megan Foley

Megan has been a freelance writer and editor since 2016. In that time, she’s penned a diverse collection of articles for online publication, with a focus on skincare and beauty. From in-depth product reviews to concise marketing content, Megan is passionate about developing content that informs, entertains, and inspires.