An Honest SkinCeuticals P-TIOX Serum Review

by Lydia Bell

I’ve been dying to try the SkinCeuticals P-TIOX serum ever since it launched, because I’m really the perfect candidate: I have a very expressive face and many moods that result in many, many facial expressions. While this is a source of endless amusement for my family and friends, the effects on my face have started to show: over the past year, I’ve started to see visible crow’s feet, the appearance of those dreaded 11 lines on my forehead, and my smile lines have gotten a bit deeper, even when my face is relaxed.

Now I’m a fan of aging gracefully and accepting the face that life gives you. It’s not healthy - or possible - to attempt to look like you’re 20 forever. That being said, if there are non-invasive and relatively inexpensive ways to slow down the inevitable aging process on my face, I’m totally here for it! Trying the SkinCeuticals P-TIOX serum fully ticks those boxes, and the results honestly surprised me – read on to find out why.

SkinCeuticals P-TIOX Serum Overview: An Advanced Peptide Complex

The debut of a peptide serum from SkinCeuticals is particularly exciting, given the brand's reputation for potent vitamin C serums, which are favorites among top beauty editors and dermatologists. SkinCeuticals' CE Ferulic is considered the gold standard in its category. However, the new SkinCeuticals P-TIOX Serum swaps CE Ferulic’s key ingredient - Vitamin C - for peptides, a tried-and-true ingredient that has recently gained popularity for addressing signs of aging. The standout feature of this serum is the neuropeptides, which essentially is a type of peptide that appears to inhibit neurotransmitters, leading to visible wrinkle correction.

P-TIOX's Key Ingredients: Neuropeptides, Niacinamide, and PHA

According to SkinCeuticals, the neuropeptides present in their P-Tiox Serum function similarly to neuromodulators like Botox, Dysport, and Daxxify by relaxing or "freezing" the muscles. This action is said to help prevent the formation of expression lines, which develop from repeated facial expressions over time. These include fine lines, forehead wrinkles, glabellar wrinkles (those 11s!), crow’s feet, under-eye lines, cheek folds, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines. Of course, since neuropeptides are applied topically rather than injected directly into the muscle, they will have less potent effects than their injectable counterparts, so it's important to manage expectations accordingly.

The formula of the SkinCeuticals P-Tiox Serum features an advanced peptide complex, polyhydroxy acid for mild exfoliation, niacinamide to even out skin tone, and laminaria extract for hydration. These additional active ingredients help to smooth the skin and enhance radiance within a week, compared to the 12 weeks required to see improvements in expression lines with other topical creams and serums. Notably, since the serum can and should be applied all over the face, it can target expression lines in areas where injectables can't, such as around the mouth and under the eyes.

My First Impressions: As Good as Neurotoxin Injections?

With my expectations kept low, I remained skeptical about anything claiming to work as effectively as an injectable. Nevertheless, my curiosity led me to incorporate the P-Tiox Serum into my daily routine, applying five drops in the mornings and before my retinol in the evenings. The serum's clear, lightweight formula, which is unscented (unlike the brand's vitamin C products, which have a distinctly medicinal scent) absorbed quickly into my skin, allowing me to proceed with the rest of my skincare regimen without delay.

SkinCeuticals P-TIOX Results After Two Weeks

While I was hoping (not expecting) for some visible changes to my crow’s feet and expression lines, I also knew that was unrealistic for just testing the serum for 2 weeks. What I did really notice was the immediate change in my skin texture. I’ve got oily skin prone to breakouts and subsequent dark spots, and I definitely noticed that my typically large pores appeared less noticeable after just a few days of using the serum. My skin looked smoother overall, and my hyperpigmentation seemed less prominent. Could I achieve that glass skin radiance if I kept using this over time? It's a very real possibility.

I did notice the fine lines around my eyes, mouth, and dimple area fading and becoming less visible. The deeper, more etched-in lines (like the smile lines down my nose or the 11’s on my forehead) have not changed, but the surrounding skin definitely does look smoother, as does my face overall. Even though it will probably take a few months to really see a highly visible effect on the deeper lines, I’m genuinely surprised and impressed it has even worked this well, given that most anti-aging serums (for me anyway) don’t seem to do much more than moisturize!

My Conclusion: Worth A Longer-Term Investment

After my two-week trial of the serum, I was really the most pleasantly surprised at the difference SkinCeuticals P-Tiox made to my complexion and skin overall. The smoothing, pore-tightening, and brightening effect has given me more of that “filtered” quality when I take selfies, which I love. As for the deeper expression lines, I expect to see results over time, and based on the initial improvements, I am committed to continuing its use for another few months.

The early results, which make me look more fresh-faced and well-rested, have already sold me on its benefits. I prefer a more natural approach, so I’ll probably just add the SkinCeuticals P-Tiox to my already crowded skincare routine. However, if you are a little more- ahem- proactive in your anti-aging goals, this serum is an excellent complement to injectables such as fillers, lasers, and Botox!