If you have oily or blemish prone skin, this SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF review is for you.
SkinCeuticals is one of my favorite higher-end skincare brands because all of their products have been clinically demonstrated to prove their claims.
I love pretty much everything this brand does, and the SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF serum is no exception.
Skinceuticals Silymarin CF Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment

SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF is a powerful combination antioxidant serum with an effective formula to treat many skin concerns.
You’ll find a bunch of awesome ingredients in a gentle formula in this bottle!
Skinceuticals Silymarin CF Ingredients
SkinCeuticals antioxidants are some of the best, and this is exactly why! You don’t find may skincare products that combine so many great anti-aging ingredients.

Active Ingredients
There are a bunch of great ingredients for refined skin texture in SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF:
- 15% l-ascorbic acid
- 0.5% silymarin (derived from milk thistle extract)
- 0.5% ferulic acid
- 0.5% salicylic acid
L Ascorbic acid
Honestly, this the Silymarin serum could be renamed as the CF Vitamin C serum.
At 15%, pure vitamin C has antioxidant benefits and fights visible signs of aging skin.
Plus, since it’s formulated with ascorbic acid and ferulic acid, SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF provides advanced antioxidant protection.
Finally, vitamin C is great to even out skin tone.
Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF wouldn’t be a breakthrough vitamin C serum without this ingredient.
Derived from milk thistle extract, Silybum Marianum fruit extract is a powerful plant based antioxidant.
It helps refine pores because it can prevent oil oxidation which leads to blackheads. Plus, it can provide antioxidant protection from free radicals and environmental aggressors.
Ferulic Acid
Ferulic acid is another plant based antioxidant that helps prevent visible aging caused by free radicals.
These antioxidant benefits are great for fighting premature aging skin!
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid, is a great ingredient to treat skin oiliness, refine skin texture, and visible improve skin clarity.
I particularly love salicylic acid in skincare products for oily and blemish prone skin.
It’s another great ingredient to improve skin health and helps prevent oil oxidation.
Other Ingredients
More ingredients in SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF:
- Propylene glycol
- Sodium citrate
Propylene glycol
This helps the other ingredients in the serum get into your skin better! It also functions as a hydrating ingredient, kind of like hyaluronic acid.
Sodium Citrate
Sodium citrate is used to adjust the pH of SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF to make sure it’s not too acidic for your skin to handle.
Silymarin Serum Benefits

SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF is a powerhouse serum to target a number of skin concerns like:
- Unwanted skin texture
- Oil oxidation
- Visible aging caused by environmental aggressors
- Enhanced environmental protection against free radical damage
- Pore appearance
Skin Texture
Salicylic acid is great to provide effective exfoliation which can help with an even skin tone!
Reduce Oil Oxidation
SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF is awesome for oily blemish prone skin types.
If you want to get rid of blackheads, you need skincare products that prevent oil oxidation!
Fights Visible Aging
Pure l ascorbic acid and ferulic acid are both a highly potent antioxidant.
So, adding this antioxidant serum to your skin care routine can help:
- Stimulate collagen production
- Provide visible anti aging benefits
- Visibly improves skin clarity
Comprehensive Protection and Helps Neutralize Free Radicals
SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF is clinically demonstrated to provide your with superior environmental protection against free radicals which age you faster.
Refines Pores
SkinCeuticals antioxidants and exfoliating acids control skin oils and helps prevent oil oxidation.
Plus, they provide advanced environmental protection against environmental aggressors that would otherwise clog pores.
Comprehensive protection and how it refines skin texture is why this vitamin C serum in particular is so good for oily and blemish prone.
How to Use SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF Vitamin C Serum

To build a good skincare routine, try this:
- Cleanse with SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser
- Apply a few drops in an even layer of Silymarin CF
- Allow your skin 1-2 minutes to soak it in
- Moisturize with SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore

Skin Types
SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF serum is suitable for:
- Acne prone skin or blemish prone skin
- Oily skin
- Uneven skin tone
- Combination skin
- Sensitive skin
To learn more, check out my article What Does it Mean to Brighten Skin?

Acne Prone Skin and Blemish Prone Skin
BHA refines skin texture and will reduce oil oxidation. This will help unclog pores, reduce skin congestion, and improve skin clarity!
Oily Skin
Salicylic acid makes this vitamin C serum for oily skin suitable.
Dry Skin
Although this Silymarin serum is safe for dry skin, it will be most effective for oily and blemish prone skin.
Silymarin CF Reviews
SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF Before and After

Check out this before and after from Christine at Adore Beauty.
Pros
The vast majority of reviews shared that Silymarin CF was effective for oily blemish prone skin and combination skin. They also mention it helps with hormonal acne.
Cons
A few reviews stated this product has a displeasing scent.
Pairs Well With . . .
SkinCeuticals Sunscreen

Broad spectrum sunscreens are essential for comprehensive protection from sun damage and premature aging.
Basically, a vitamin C serum for oily skin (or dry!) and broad spectrum sunscreens are the perfect pair for your morning skincare routine.
SkinCeuticals sunscreen has an oil free formula with mineral filters and a light finish to visibly improve skin clarity!
Learn More
Check out my article: Should I Skip Moisturizer and Use Sunscreen?
Frequently Asked Questions

Check out my Best of SkinCeuticals Review.
Sartoric Chemists states, “The Duke antioxidant patent outlines the formulation parameters required for effective delivery of vitamin C to skin: 1) pure l-ascorbic acid (vitamin C); 2) an acidic pH within the 2.0-3.5 pH range and; 3) a concentration between 10%-20%. SkinCeuticals is the only brand to formulate antioxidants according to these parameters.”