SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic review: The best vitamin C serum
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is the vitamin C serum loved by dermatologists, celebs and skin experts. We decided to put it to the test.
These products are hand-picked by our team to help make shopping easier. We may receive payments from third parties for sharing this content and when you purchase through links in this article. Product prices and offer details are not assured, and should be confirmed independently with the retailer. Learn more
There are some skincare products that seem to grab the spotlight with everyone from dermatologists, skin experts and celebrities lauding it.
One such big name beauty item is SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum, which is hailed as one of the best anti-ageing, brightening serums on the market.
As someone who’s suffered adult acne in the past and now has the scars, or stubborn post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIHP), to prove it, I decided to see if the popular serum was as good as the hundreds of five star reviews online claim.
Note to reader: Thanks to Adore Beauty’s Click Frenzy Mayhem sale (you can shop the retailer’s entire offering here), this beloved - but expensive - beauty product is now being offered at a rare $47.2 discount. You can now add to cart SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum for $188.80 (down from $236).
RELATED: Up to 50% off: Best Click Frenzy Mayhem deals so far
RELATED: The best offers in Canningvale’s Click Frenzy Mayhem sale
WHAT IS SKINCEUTICALS C E FERULIC SERUM?
According to specialist plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon at EST Clinic in Victoria, Dr Frank Lin, the 12-ingredient, potent antioxidant serum is perfect for fading my PIHP thanks to its high and stable 15 per cent vitamin C content.
“SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic sees the antioxidant properties of vitamin C, augmented with vitamin E and stabilised by ferulic acid, and this combination plays an important role in brightening and smoothing the uneven skin tones and pigmentation left behind by acne scarring,” Dr Lin told news.com.au.
THE SKIN BENEFITS
Faded PIHP isn’t the only potential upside that comes from slathering on this serum, with other benefits including improving skin firmness, reducing fine lines and preventing free radical damage and discolouration.
“Vitamin C is the most abundant antioxidant in skin and is important not only in sun protection, but in replenishing dermal collagen and wound healing,” says Dr Lin. “SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum’s effectiveness and potency stands out from other vitamin C serums available on the market, and is widely regarded by skin specialists around the world as the benchmark in antioxidant vitamin C serums.”
Like using sunscreen to prevent sun damage, using this serum is a preventative measure - so while you might not see instant results - it’s ensuring pesky free radical damage isn’t affecting your complexion.
HOW TO USE IT
Once a day - ideally in the morning - apply four or five small drops (a little goes a long way) to your face, neck and chest and massage it in gently. Ensure you slather a layer of sunscreen over the top as the serum’s vitamin C content can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. If you’re someone who’s only got the time and inclination to go all out with your skincare routine at night (me too), a SkinCeuticals spokesperson assures me that’s perfectly fine, too.
IS IT OK FOR SENSITIVE SKIN?
Got sensitive skin? SkinCeuticals spokesperson told news.com.au that it’s recommended you use SkinCeuticals Serum 10 AOX+ instead (buy it here from Adore Beauty), as it offers similar results but the percentages of ingredients are lower.
Alternatively, you can use SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic every second day to start with and always closely monitor how your skin reacts.
IS SKINCEUTICALS C E FERULIC PREGNANCY SAFE?
While there are no ingredients in the serum that would cause any issues in pregnancy, it’s strongly recommended that if you’re expecting you speak to your doctor or healthcare professional before you use this product.
THE VERDICT
My first impression of the product after depositing a few drops onto my skin was, hang on, what in mascara’s name is that smell? A sniff of the bottle confirmed the strange scent did indeed belong to the serum.
It can only be described as a cross between smoky barbecue chicken and nail polish. No, not what I expected but strangely, it’s a welcome departure from the cloying, overpowering fragrances in other skin care.
If anything, the left-of-centre fragrance only helps to assure me the serum is going to be good - why else would a gazillion beauty lovers rave about it otherwise?
Turns out this theory stacks up. After over six months of use, my skin does look brighter and I swear a few of the more stubborn PIHP spots on my cheeks are a little less pronounced. Best of all? I know it’s a long-term skin play in that every day it’s protecting my skin from more damage.
If the reviews on Adore Beauty and Google Reviews (where the product scores 4.7 out of five from over 13,000 reviews) are anything to go by, many others have seen similarly promising results, too. After one week of use, one reviewer said, “My skin appeared plumper, less dehydrated and definitely smoother”. While another said, “I have noticed a massive improvement in my skin clarity with a lot of my lighter pigmentation being completely faded”. Another went as far as calling the serum a “miracle in a bottle”: “After 4 weeks, strangers started complimenting my complexion. This stuff is the real deal! Hyperpigmentation I’ve lived with for a decade faded fast - even the sun damage on my chest, wrinkles noticably reduced, skin tone evened out.”
While the $236 price is almost as confronting as the smell, it took me six months of (near) daily use to finish the bottle, so if you can take a cost-per-use approach, the price is easier to justify.
Would I recommend it? If you’re serious about your skincare like me, most definitely.
THE BUDGET DUPES
Simply can’t afford the high price point? You don’t need to miss out, there are some great options on the market that won’t drain your bank balance and will brighten your skin.
The Ordinary Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution, $30
Lauded for its high quality formulations that are wallet-friendly, The Ordinary’s Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution is a great option for anyone on a budget. Containing 15 per cent ascorbic acid (vitamin C) that’s incredibly stable, this serum will protect your skin and help to reduce pigmentation. It might feel a little oily as you apply it, but you can be rest assured it’s actually an oil and water-free solution. This simple but effective solution has won legions of fans, with one Adore Beauty reviewer stating, “I have a few stubborn acne scars that have been fading as a result of this.”
Paula’s Choice BOOST C15 Super Booster 15% Vitamin C with Vitamin E + Ferulic Acid, $68
A very similar formula to the SkinCeuticals serum, this Paula’s Choice option is packed with all of the good stuff. There’s 15 per cent stabilised vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid and the addition of peptides that help to smooth skin. It’s earned hundreds of five-star reviews, with one Melbourne-based convert writing, “It is seriously a game changer. It has transformed my skin by evening out skin tone, brightening it and reducing my pigmentation very significantly. I will never stop using it.”
‘Holy grail’ skin buy 30k are ‘hooked’ on
Praised for its “age-defying magic”, a cult Australian beauty brand has launched their latest product to a 30,000 long waitlist.
Serum that’s ‘liquid gold’ for ‘glowing’ skin
This anti-ageing bestseller sold out within the first 48 hours of launch in 2023 and has continued to receive rave reviews online.
Top-rated vitamin C serum for ‘glass skin’
You know COSRX for the cult snail mucin essence – now say hello to your “most flawless skin” with another top-rated serum.
‘Blew me away’: Best face serums for sensitive skin
Dodge inflammation and irritation troubles with these “game-changing” face serums – no flare-ups necessary!