Vogue Verified: Why SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic Serum Is Considered the Gold Standard Vitamin C

Ask your trusted skin-care expert for the best vitamin C serum and it’s likely they’ll mention SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic. In fact, when we tapped dermatologists for the best in the market, Dr. Corey L. Hartman dubbed it “the gold standard.”

• Best Overall: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, $182
• Best for Oily Skin: SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF, $182
• Best for Hyperpigmentation: SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF, $182
• Best for Sensitive Skin: SkinCeuticals Serum 10, $76
• Best Exfoliating: SkinCeuticals C+AHA, $145

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Vicki Rapaport had the same assertion. “The CE Ferulic has become the gold standard antioxidant product that dermatologists and other skin-care professionals recommend be used every morning like a prescription to achieve healthy skin,” she says. “It is substantially more than a vitamin-C serum, containing the three most utilitarian antioxidants available in skin care today.”

But for those not familiar with skin-care-speak, we explore what this really means—and why you might swap your current vitamin C product for this one. In this installment of Vogue Verified, let’s unveil what makes this serum so great.

SkinCeuticals

C E Ferulic

$182

BLUEMERCURY

$182

DERMSTORE

$182

SKINCEUTICALS

• Why We Love It: This potent vitamin C serum is powered by L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid to protect against environmental stressors and combat fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration.
• Key Ingredients: L-ascorbic acid 15%, alpha tocopherol 1%, ferulic acid 0.5%
• Best For: Wrinkles, fine lines, laxity
• Skin Type: All skin types, sensitive

Experts recommend incorporating vitamin C into your routine to address hyperpigmentation, skin dullness, dark marks, and sagging skin. Think of it as the product everyone should have in their routine to promote a youthful-looking complexion thanks to its antioxidant properties that can decrease free-radical damage. Rapaport explains it like this—making it clear why its usage is vital to healthy skin: “Free radicals are unstable atoms that can damage cells, including damaging the cell wall and your DNA. This is in turn linked to aging. So antioxidants are antiaging. Free radicals occur after sun exposure, pollution, or smoke exposure, all normal things we get exposed to on a daily basis.” This protection is furthered by the serum’s infused antioxidant-rich vitamin E as well.

Then there’s ferulic acid, which Rapaport calls a “quintessential plant-based wonder” that complements the antioxidant benefits of the aforementioned vitamins. “These megawatt hero ingredients play together synergistically to scavenge all the free radicals that build up in your skin daily to give you the most even, plump skin possible with a serum,” she says. “These ingredients in C E Ferulic work together to decrease the damage to the cells to slow down this aging process and decrease fine lines and wrinkles.”

In short, the answer is yes: Rapaport says anyone can use this acclaimed serum, continuing that “[she] gives it to [her] dry, combo, oily, and super-sensitive skinned patients without hesitation.”

For example, in my initial trial of the serum, I was surprised by the lightweight, silky texture that, to me, felt almost like an oil. I felt a slight tingling sensation across my combination skin, but had no issues with dryness or irritation on its own or paired with other products in my routine. Then there’s actor Sydney Sweeney, who relies on it to treat her sensitive combination skin. In her installment of Vogue’s Beauty Secrets, she remembers trying to tackle bouts of cystic acne, though she now shares the serum as part of her regime to keep her skin calm.

Dermatologist Dr. Chris Tomaissan, who has combination skin prone to redness and rosacea, reveals it’s part of his routine as a means to “boost collagen to fight fine lines/wrinkles, and also help fade any hyperpigmentation I might have from a breakout.” Even Vogue’s international editor at large, Hamish Bowles, is a fan of this formula—discovering it through his dermatologist, Dr. Antoni Calmon.

What’s more, Rapaport says it’s never too early to start using it, as she recommends it to her patients spanning teens to much older adults—recounting a 12-year-old patient she once advised using it on her journey toward the “best skin possible.”

I have been testing the SkinCeuticals vitamin C since the fall of 2023 when this review was initially published—using at least one antioxidant from its range nearly daily, except for when I’m traveling (I keep a drugstore vitamin C serum in my travel makeup bag). Turns out, the experts were not joking when they said this is the best vitamin C in the game—I do not plan on swapping brands anytime soon. However, I will say its really important to choose the right formula for you.

I started my journey with the best-seller, C E Ferulic, which is the most recommended of the bunch for its ability to target various signs of aging. I was initially impressed by its rich composition, excellent for dry skin; but, as my skin became more oily a few months after first use, I found it did not layer well with other bits in my skincare routine. So, I started using the brand’s Silymarin CF instead—an oil-free solution powered by 0.5% silymarin (milk thistle extract), 15% l-ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 0.5% salicylic acid for total environmental protection while staving off blemishes, fine lines, and excess shine. For me, this hit the sweet spot of boosting skin elasticity and improving visible anti-aging benefits while addressing the needs of my blemish-prone skin type. My skin drinks this stuff up, and has alleviated many of my complexion woes—think: uneven skin tone, loss of firmness, and excess oil production—with consistent use. Over this roughly year and a half period, I’ve gone through three bottles of this stuff and will continually stock up.

Like most other vitamin C formulas, you should not expect to see results immediately. Rapaport notes that “results can be seen in as little as four to six weeks, but even better results are seen at week 12.” According to the brand, four to five drops of this serum can be applied to the skin after utilizing your facial cleanser and toner. Rapaport, who personally uses 8 to 10 drops of the serum on the face and neck, recommends waiting three to five minutes for the serum to fully sink in before moving on to the next steps in your routine. On a typical day, I follow the vitamin C with hyaluronic acid (like the brand’s Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Multi-Glycan), moisturizer (like the brand’s Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2), and sunscreen (like the brand’s Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50). Et voilà, your glowing routine is complete. “Good skin care is a lifestyle, and by incorporating high-quality antioxidants into your routine, you will be rewarded with healthy, bouncy skin,” she says. At night, opt for a peptide serum or retinol to round out these benefits. Shop SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic—and complementing moisturizers to round out your routine—below.

SkinCeuticals

C E Ferulic

$182

BLUEMERCURY

$182

DERMSTORE

$182

SKINCEUTICALS

SkinCeuticals

HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan

$120

BLUEMERCURY

$120

SKINCEUTICALS

SkinCeuticals

Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

$155

SKINCEUTICALS

$155

DERMSTORE

SkinCeuticals

Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50

$42

BLUEMERCURY

$42

DERMSTORE

$42

SKINCEUTICALS

While SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic powerhouse serum provides a number of wrinkle-smoothing benefits, the formula is oil-based, which may be undesirable for certain skin types and concerns. Below are a few alternatives worth considering, depending on your needs.

SkinCeuticals

Silymarin CF

$182

BLUEMERCURY

$182

SKINCEUTICALS

• Why We Love It: As my skin transitioned from combination to oily, I found that CE Ferulic didn t quite work for my skin type. Realizing this, I promptly switched to Silymarin CF instead. Maintaining a concentrated dosage of vitamin C, this also features the milk thistle-derived antioxidant, silymarin, which balances out oily, blemish-prone skin while improving overall texture with a one-two punch of ferulic and salicylic acid. What you get: Protected skin from free radical damage while reducing pore size, oil production, and future blemishes.
• Key Ingredients: L-ascorbic acid 15%, silymarin 0.5%, ferulic acid 0.5%, salicylic acid 0.5%
• Best For: Acne, oiliness, uneven tone
• Skin Type: Combination-to-oily

SkinCeuticals

Phloretin CF

$182

BLUEMERCURY

$182

DERMSTORE

$182

SKINCEUTICALS

• Why We Love It: In place of vitamin E, phloretin—an antioxidant derived from the bark of fruit trees (and apples)—is utilized here to deliver plant-based free radical protection while brightening discoloration. Of course, potent L-ascorbic acid and ferulic acid are also featured for the same benefits you d expect from a vitamin C serum.
• Key Ingredients: Phloretin 2%, l-ascorbic acid 10%, ferulic acid 0.5%
• Best For: Pigmentation concerns (hyperpigmentation, dark spots, uneven tone), fine lines
• Skin Type: Normal to oily

Serum 10

$76

SKINCEUTICALS

• Why We Love It: Thanks to Serum 10 AOX+, even the most sensitive skin types can experience the restorative benefits of vitamin C. Effective for reactive skin, or simply someone just getting started with antioxidant protection, this formula combines L-ascorbic and ferulic acid at lower, more manageable levels to neutralize free radicals and firm skin over time—sans irritation.
• Key Ingredients: L-ascorbic acid 10%, ferulic acid 0.2%
• Best For: Radiance, fine lines, wrinkles
• Skin Type: Sensitive, normal

SkinCeuticals

Phloretin CF Gel

$182

BLUEMERCURY

$182

SKINCEUTICALS

• Why We Love It: Those who don t really resonate with a vitamin C serum should consider the antioxidant in a gel form via this SkinCeuticals gel. Here, 2% phloretin, 10% l-ascorbic acid, and 0.5% ferulic acid into a well-rounded protective elixir designed to protect against environmental damage and alleviate premature signs of aging as a result of sun damage—think discoloration and rough skin texture.
• Key Ingredients: 2% phloretin, 10% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), 0.5% ferulic acid
• Best For: Premature signs of aging
• Skin Type: All skin types

SkinCeuticals

C + AHA

$145

DERMSTORE

$145

SKINCEUTICALS

• Why We Love It: Want your antioxidant protection with a side of exfoliation? SkinCeuticals C + AHA is the way to go. The formula pairs 15% pure vitamin C with 10% hydroxy acids (specifically, glycolic and lactic) to gently exfoliate—making way for clearer, smoother skin sans blemishes, enlarged pores, and fine lines.
• Key Ingredients: 15% pure vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid), 10% hydroxy acids
• Best For: Blemishes, enlarged pores, rough texture
• Skin Type: Normal, combination, oily, acne-prone

• Dr. Corey L. Hartman is a Birmingham, Alabama-based and board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology who specializes in dermatologic surgery, injectables, hair restoration, and laser dermatology.
• Dr. Vicki Rapaport is a Los Angeles-based board-certified dermatologist specializing in treating skin disorders of all types, from acne to eczema.