I Tried SkinCeuticals’ C E Ferulic—It’s Well worth the Hype

Let me put it this manner: SkinCeuticals’ C E Ferulic is not simply a vitamin C serum. It’s the vitamin C serum. Because it launched in 2005, dermatologists and sweetness editors alike have sworn that its formulation—which options vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid—is the stuff pores and skin goals are manufactured from. TL;DR: the hype is actual.

However does it truly dwell as much as its status? To see for myself, I examined it for 3 weeks, evaluating its results each day by day and over time. Learn on to seek out out if the expensive antioxidant concoction was the magic formulation my pores and skin wanted.

About My Pores and skin: In want of a pick-me-up

Wintertime causes my pores and skin to turn into extraordinarily boring and dry, so by the point spring will get right here, it’s in want of a severe pick-me-up. Naturally, I jumped on the probability to check out C E Ferulic, which boasts brightening advantages along with defending in opposition to free radicals and environmental stressors, which is precisely what my pores and skin wants this time of 12 months.

As a result of I don’t wish to use something too harsh that might irritate or dry out my pores and skin additional, I sometimes wash my face with a light-weight however soothing oil cleanser. My daytime skincare routine consists of a spritz of hydrating facial spray adopted by a facial oil or moisturizer. My bedtime routine can also be fairly easy: I take away my make-up with the identical oil cleanser, comply with with a couple of spritzes of facial spray, and finish with a heavier night time cream.

When testing C E Ferulic over the course of three weeks, I added the additional step between my facial spray and moisturizer, earlier than shifting on to sunscreen and my make-up routine. I might dab 4 to 5 drops onto clear palms, then pat into my clear and dry pores and skin (together with my neck and chest, as per the instructions), permitting it to soak up earlier than shifting on to my subsequent step.

Ingredient High quality: Nutritional vitamins C and E be part of forces with ferulic acid

SkinCeuticals lists three elements as key gamers on this serum: 15% L-ascorbic acid, a extremely potent type of pure vitamin C that neutralizes free radicals, protects in opposition to oxidative stress, and offers seen anti-aging advantages; 1% alpha-tocopherol, the pure type of vitamin E that works along with vitamin C to neutralize free radicals and replenish the pores and skin’s lipids; and 0.5% ferulic acid, a plant-based antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and enhances the antioxidant advantages and stability of nutritional vitamins C and E.

Whereas these elements are unfold out on the ingredient listing, the model lists the focus of every—and despite the fact that some are in small concentrations, these elements are potent! Nonetheless, C E Ferulic shouldn’t be thought-about clear by Byrdie’s requirements on account of its inclusion of triethanolamine.

The Science: Analysis proves efficacy 

Through the years, SkinCeuticals has funded a number of research that show C E Ferulic’s efficiency. For instance, in 2008, a double-blind, peer-reviewed examine in The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology discovered that the product supplied the pores and skin with “important and significant photoprotection.” Moreover, the model claims that utilizing C E Ferulic instantly after a laser session can lower affected person downtime by as much as two days.

The Really feel: Barely sticky with delicate tingling

C E Ferulic applies as a really gentle however barely sticky serum. It leaves behind a little bit of residue because it dries, although it doesn’t really feel heavy. As soon as the product is totally absorbed and worn below different merchandise, the stickiness subsides. Once I utilized it on days when my pores and skin felt drier than regular, I seen a slight tingling sensation, although it didn’t lead to any irritation or an allergic response.

Drying & Irritation: None in any way

Regardless of the marginally tingly sensation I skilled now and again, C E Ferulic is light and I had no points making use of it each morning. Nonetheless, if in case you have extraordinarily delicate pores and skin, there’s an opportunity chances are you’ll not have the ability to tolerate utilizing it day by day.

Interactions & Oxidation: Don’t combine with different acids and take note of dates

In the event you’re going to make use of vitamin C day by day, it is best to keep away from utilizing it with retinols, copper peptides, and alpha-hydroxy acids—these can destabilize it, thus making it ineffective. Additionally, in response to Jennifer Herrmann, MD, you also needs to keep away from utilizing it with benzoyl peroxide, which might oxidize the vitamin C.

Remember that over time, vitamin C merchandise can oxidize, which means they turn into much less efficient and, in some instances, may cause darkening or discoloration. If the colour of your serum begins to show darker (from clear/yellow to orange or darkish brown), it’s most certainly oxidized and fewer efficient. Vitamin C degrades to erythrulose, an ingredient discovered in lots of self-tanners, which might trigger a darkening impact on the pores and skin. Nonetheless, SkinCeuticals notes on the C E Ferulic field that, “L-ascorbic acid may oxidize and darken with time, however will stay efficient.”

Additionally, be sure to concentrate to the expiration date in your product, and know that, sometimes, L-ascorbic acid has a couple of three-month shelf life as soon as the bottle is opened. Based mostly on utilizing C E Ferulic day-after-day for 3 weeks, I don’t foresee having any left past three months.

The Scent: The recent canine rumors are true

There’s a cause that magnificence editors say this product smells like sizzling canine water—it actually does. Sure, it smells fairly funky, however (I promise) it’s not horrible! The scent subsides fairly rapidly after it absorbs, however following this product with a nice-smelling serum or moisturizer additionally helps.

The Packaging: Protects in opposition to oxidation

C E Ferulic is packaged in a darkish brown bottle, which helps defend the product from oxidizing. The vast mouth dropper additionally makes it straightforward to extract the right quantity onto your fingertips.

The Outcomes: A visibly smoother, brighter complexion

I can’t stress sufficient how a lot I really like this product. By the top of my three-week testing interval, my pores and skin was visibly smoother, plumper, and brighter. Whereas I didn’t discover any rapid outcomes on the primary day of use, I started to note adjustments in my pores and skin’s texture by day three—it felt smoother and considerably extra hydrated.

I’ve a smattering of brown spots from my time spent tanning as a teen (I do know, I do know), and these had been subtly lightened over the course of three weeks. Nonetheless, I count on to see stronger outcomes with continued use.

What actually offered me on this product is the way it reworked my pores and skin’s texture. It’s the smoothest and plumpest it’s ever been, and the dryness and dullness I battled all winter lengthy have fully vanished.

The Worth: Well worth the funding

C E Ferulic is certainly costly, ringing in at $166 per fluid ounce, however somewhat goes a great distance (solely about 4-5 drops are wanted per utility). In my view, it’s definitely worth the value—it actually delivers outcomes. Not solely will it breathe new life into your pores and skin, however the bottle will final you. Simply take note of expiration dates and look out for any oxidation.

Related Merchandise: You will have choices

The Nue Co. Topical C ($70): Oddly sufficient, I haven’t tried out many vitamin C merchandise up to now (at the least long-term), however one I really like is The Nue Co.’s Topical C, which is a powder type of L-ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, tapioca starch, colloidal oatmeal, and aloe vera. As a result of it’s in powder type, it doesn’t activate till you dissolve it into your favourite serum or moisturizer, which suggests it gained’t oxidize over time and has a for much longer shelf life. Whereas I’ve by no means used it religiously every day, I did discover comparable adjustments to my pores and skin’s texture and really feel. Total, although, I did discover extra highly effective brightening outcomes from C E Ferulic.

This product is priced at $70 for .49 ounces whereas C E Ferulic prices $166 for 1 fluid ounce, so each could be thought-about an funding. However when you’re seeking to put money into a robust product however know you gained’t find yourself utilizing it day by day, Topical C is a greater possibility.

The Bizarre Resveratrol 3% Ferulic Acid 3% ($8): One other comparable product I’ve used up to now could be The Bizarre’s Resveratrol 3% Ferulic Acid 3%. Whereas The Bizarre’s product doesn’t comprise vitamin C, it does have the added advantages of resveratrol, one other highly effective antioxidant that protects in opposition to environmental and UV injury whereas decreasing irritation and brightening the complexion.

Total, I desire C E Ferulic because it yielded rather more noticeable outcomes when it comes to pores and skin texture and really feel, however when you’re seeking to get your ft moist with ferulic acid merchandise, The Bizarre’s will set you again lower than $8.