SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Review
Ah, SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, the serum that people love and hate. Why? If you’ve ever used it, you know what we’re talking about. It has a smell that some can only describe as “hot dog water.” LOL. But guess what? We will lovingly put that hot dog water on our faces if it means we get a bright and even skintone.
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So what’s the secret of this high-performing but weird-smelling vitamin C serum? It’s a potent mix of 15% L-ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% vitamin E along with hyaluronic acid that sets it apart. A 16-week clinical study showed firmer skin by up to 37%, fine lines reduced by 27%, and wrinkles by 36%.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
15% L-ascorbic acid + 1% vitamin E + 0.5% ferulic acid. The gold-standard antioxidant serum the skincare industry has been benchmarking against for over 20 years.
Why We Like This Product
If you’re looking for one of the most highly effective daytime serums on the market, you found it. This and the IS Clinical Super Serum Advance+ are our go-to’s to help boost our sunscreen, fight dull skin and wrinkles, and other free radicals. Other reasons we consistently choose this product include:
- It’s one of the only Vitamin C serums on the market that has 15% pure vitamin C, 1% vitamin E, and 0.5% ferulic acid, which work together to neutralize free radicals and protect against oxidative stress caused by environmental stressors like UVA/UVB rays, pollution, and infrared radiation.
- It’s easy to incorporate into our daily skincare routine. We apply it in the morning after cleansing and toning, then follow it up with sunscreen. That’s it.
- Skinceuticals is known for its commitment to research and development, and the serum has been clinically proven to provide significant improvements in skin health and appearance.
What We Don’t Like
We already mentioned the smell of SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, which can be an issue for some people (but not all). The other issue we’ve noticed when cycling through this serum is the tendency for it to break us out.
It’s not uncommon for some people to experience breakouts when they start using a new skincare product, including vitamin C serums. This can be due to something called purging, which happens when the serum stimulates your skin to renew itself more quickly. When this happens, all the gunk lurking in your pores can come to the surface and turn into pimples. I’ve personally had this happen with this serum in particular, as well as beloved Beauty Empties such as Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Extra Strength Daily Peel Pads.
However, not all breakouts caused by vitamin C serums are due to purging. If your skin is sensitive to certain ingredients in the serum, or if the serum is too strong for your skin type, you might experience breakouts that are not a sign of purging. In that case, it’s best to stop using the serum and consult with a dermatologist to figure out what’s going on.
Why You Need This Product
Vitamin C serums provide a slew of benefits for the skin. First, vitamin C is an antioxidant that fights harmful toxins that come in contact with your skin and can help protect the skin from damage, reduce hyperpigmentation, and promote an even skin tone. They can also have anti-aging effects by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, vitamin C serums work hand-in-hand with sunscreen to provide added protection against harmful UV rays.
did you know?
Studies have shown that a concentration of at least 10% of L-ascorbic acid (a form of vitamin C) in a serum can help boost the effectiveness of sunscreen. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, the combination of topical vitamin C and sunscreen can provide up to four times more protection against UV damage than sunscreen alone.
What to Know About the Ingredients
EWG Rating: 3
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic has a rating of 3, which is considered a moderate hazard.
The key ingredients in SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic (L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), alpha tocopherol (vitamin E), and ferulic acid) all have low to moderate hazard ratings according to the EWG Skin Deep database. These ingredients are commonly found in vitamin C serums and are known for their antioxidant and anti-aging properties.
However, there are a few ingredients in SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic that have moderate to high hazard ratings. These include:
- Ethoxydiglycol: EWG rating of 3 (moderate hazard). Ethoxydiglycol is a solvent that helps to enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It has been called out as a potential skin irritant and may cause allergic reactions in some people.
- Phenoxyethanol: EWG rating of 4 (moderate hazard). Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that is commonly used in skincare products. However, it has been linked to skin irritation, allergic reactions, and organ toxicity.
- Triethanolamine: EWG rating of 5-6 (moderate to high hazard). Triethanolamine is a pH adjuster that is used to balance the acidity of the formula. It has been flagged as a potential skin irritant and may cause allergic reactions in some people.
While these ingredients have been flagged as having potential health concerns, it’s important to note that the EWG hazard ratings are based on individual ingredients and not the overall safety of the product. It’s also worth noting that not all experts agree with the EWG’s hazard ratings and that further research is needed to fully understand the potential risks associated with these ingredients.
Are They Cruelty-Free/Vegan? SkinCeuticals is not certified as cruelty-free, however their statement on animal testing is: “SkinCeuticals does not test any of its products or any of its ingredients on animals, anywhere in the world nor does SkinCeuticals delegate this task to others. The only possible exception is if regulatory authorities required it for safety or regulatory purposes.” They are not considered a vegan brand.
Who Owns This Company: SkinCeuticals is owned by L’Oreal, which is a French multinational beauty company. L’Oreal acquired SkinCeuticals in 2005 as part of its strategy to expand its presence in the professional skincare market. Today, SkinCeuticals is one of L’Oreal’s many brands in the beauty industry, alongside other well-known brands such as Lancôme, Maybelline, and Garnier.
What Our BEEs Say:
On the positive side, many users have reported visible improvements in their skin’s texture and tone after using the serum. One reviewer notes that the serum “gives my skin a glow that I didn’t have before” and “has made a noticeable difference in the brightness and evenness of my skin.” Another reviewer praised the serum for its “lightweight, non-greasy formula” and “impressive results” in reducing fine lines and wrinkles. However, there are also some negative reviews that mention certain drawbacks of the product. One reviewer complained that the serum “has a very strong smell” and “can be irritating to sensitive skin.” Another mentioned that the serum “oxidizes quickly” and “turns brown after a few weeks.” This is a known issue and SkinCeuticals has said that the discoloration is normal and the product will remain effective, however you should use a bottle within 3-6 months of opening. The serum has an average review of 4.5 stars out of 5.
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Best Vitamin C Serums
Looking to shop around and research the top-selling Vitamin C serums? In addition to SkinCeuticals, these trusted brands top the list.
- IS CLINICAL Super Serum Advance+
- Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
- Paula’s Choice BOOST C15 Super Booster
- Obagi Professional C Serum 20%
A cruelty-free mark means the brand is certified by PETA, Leaping Bunny, or both at the time of writing. A missing mark doesn’t mean a brand tests on animals; it just means the brand isn’t certified by these programs.
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