C E Ferulic is a vitamin C serum sold by cosmetics brand SkinCeuticals. The product is highly popular, and SkinCeuticals claims it “improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles” and “loss of firmness.”
But does C E Ferulic contain ingredients proven to have anti-aging effects? Does it contain any unhealthy ingredients? How is it properly applied? And is SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic better or worse than popular anti-aging serums like Total Package Serum?
In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more, as we analyze the ingredients in C E Ferulic to give our take on whether or not the product is likely to have an anti-aging effect, and whether or not it's healthy.
We’ll also feature a video from the brand showing how this serum is properly applied, and compare SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic to other popular anti-aging serums to pick our winners (and losers).
Key takeaways:
- Contains research-backed active ingredients for anti-aging
- Contains two inactive ingredients we consider unhealthy
- We do not currently recommend SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
Ingredient Analysis
The ingredients in SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic are shown below:
There are some research-backed active ingredients in this formulation.
Ascorbic acid, more commonly known as vitamin C, is an effective anti-aging ingredient.
A medical review published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology described vitamin C as “one of the most powerful antioxidants in the skin,” and claims “its clinical applications range from photoprotection and antiaging to antipigmentation.”
Ferulic acid is a plant-derived antioxidant compound shown in a 2022 clinical trial to increase skin hydration.
Sodium hyaluronate is one of the most well-studied anti-aging ingredients, and is clinically shown to reduce wrinkles and visible signs of facial aging, as we documented in our review of Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair.
Panthenol is a naturally-derived and safe skin moisturizer according to a 2011 clinical trial.
Tocopherol, more commonly known as vitamin E, is clinically shown to reduce the damaging effects of UV rays on skin, making it a preventative ingredient.
There are also several inactive ingredients which we consider unhealthy.
Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative shown to be toxic to human cells in a 2020 clinical trial.
Triethanolamine is a pH balancer that may be irritating and potentially damaging to the eyes, according to a clinical trial published in the Occupational & Environmental Medicine journal.
Overall, we consider SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic likely to be effective for anti-aging given its numerous research-backed active ingredients.
However, we don’t currently recommend the product due to the inactive ingredients discussed above.
How to Properly Apply C E Ferulic
For consumers planning to purchase this product, a video from the manufacturer SkinCeuticals on how to properly apply it may be useful, and is only one minute long:
C E Ferulic vs. Popular Anti-Aging Serums
Here's how SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic compares to other popular anti-aging serums in terms of potential effectiveness and healthiness, in our opinion:
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Contains glycerin, which is clinically shown to moisturize the skin.
Like C E Ferulic, this serum contains a few inactive ingredients that we consider unhealthy, but C E Ferulic contains fewer of these ingredients, so we give it the edge from a health perspective.
Winner: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
Total Package Serum
Contains a synthetic preservative which is clinically shown to potentiate the toxic effects of phenoxyethanol, as we documented in our Total Package Serum reviews article.
C E Ferulic is healthier.
Winner: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
CeraVe Vitamin C Serum
Very similar formulations: various research-backed active ingredients and two inactive ingredients we consider (mildly) unhealthy.
Winner: Tie
Our Clean Skincare Pick
MindBodyGreen Best Skin+ is our top anti-aging skin supplement.
It contains orange extract which is clinically shown to increase skin moisturization, skin elasticity and skin radiance.
This supplement also contains astaxanthin which is clinically shown to cause "wrinkle formation reduction."
This supplement is free of ingredients that we consider to be unhealthy.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Many research-backed active ingredients
- Should reduce wrinkles
- Should improve skin hydration
- Should protect skin from further damage
- Mostly favorable online customer reviews
- Free shipping from brand's website
Cons:
- Extremely expensive
- Contains synthetic preservative
- Contains triethanolamine
