Which SkinCeuticals Vitamin C Serum Is Right for You?

A vitamin C serum is a morning skin care staple with major anti-aging benefits. And there are plenty of reasons why SkinCeuticals’ C E Ferulic is the most sought-after vitamin C serum of all time. It’s been vetted by scientific studies galore and has thousands of five-star reviews from Dermstore shoppers, for starters. But it isn’t the only powerhouse vitamin C in the brand’s repertoire—which also includes Phloretin CF and Silymarin CF. All three formulas help prevent and correct damage from oxidative stress (dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles) and are backed by serious science.  

As an industry leader, SkinCeuticals holds several patents and countless awards praising their high-quality standards for product synthesis and testing. While vitamin C is a major player in many of the SkinCeuticals antioxidant serums, the addition of other ingredients like ferulic acid and vitamin E in their serums is what has allowed SkinCeuticals to create powerful serums ideal for different skin types and concerns. 

SkinCeuticals Vitamin C Serums & Treating Skin Care Concerns 

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that offers a range of benefits for your skin. It has been shown to protect your skin from free radical damage while improving the skin’s texture and natural protective barrier. 

• Vitamin C increases collagen production - One of the primary benefits of vitamin C is its ability to stimulate collagen production. Collagen is a protein that gives your skin its structure and elasticity, and as you age, your body produces less of it. By using skincare products that contain vitamin C, you can help to stimulate collagen production and keep your skin looking youthful and supple. 
• Protects from free radicals - Vitamin C also helps to protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress, which can lead to premature aging and other skin problems. Because of its potent antioxidant properties, vitamin C neutralizes free radicals, helping to keep your skin healthy and radiant. 
• Improves skin tone - Vitamin C is widely praised for its ability to brighten your complexion. It can help to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, giving your skin a more even tone. In addition to evening your skin tone, it will help brighten your skin for a more radiant appearance after consistent use. Vitamin C is a dermatologist favorite because it is a single ingredient that can help to improve the overall texture and quality of your skin. Its gentle exfoliating effect can help to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, leaving your skin looking smoother and more refined. 

Choose the Right SkinCeuticals Vitamin C Serum for Your Skin Type 

So, which vitamin C serum should you be using to start your day? It all comes down to your skin type. Vitamin C can provide a large range of benefits to all skin types, but finding the right formula for your skin is critical for getting the best results. We checked in with SkinCeuticals educator Shari Ballinger to learn more about these three antioxidant serums—and to help you find your ideal match. 

1. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic (1 fl. oz.)

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic (1 fl. oz.)

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Best for Dry and Normal Skin This gold-standard vitamin C serum offers “serious anti-aging benefits and prevention” for drier types or even sensitive skin, says Ballinger, who notes that the vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) in the formula can help replenish lipids. Its blend of potent antioxidants, which also includes ferulic acid (a plant-based antioxidant that enhances the benefits of vitamins C and E), “is designed to help improve the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles, photodamage and loss of elasticity all while brightening the skin,” she explains. Another serum that is great for first-time vitamin C users and those with dry or sensitive skin is the SkinCeuticals Serum 10 AOX.

2. SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF (1 fl. oz.)

SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF (1 fl. oz.)

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Best for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin SkinCeuticals’ latest innovation—six years in the making—is this oil-free vitamin C serum designed to “prevent oil oxidation that can lead to breakouts,” says Ballinger. The formula also “delivers advanced environmental protection, reduces oiliness and helps refine texture and improves clarity, uneven skin tone and fine lines.” Like C E Ferulic, it contains pure vitamin C in the form of L-ascorbic acid, plus plant-based ferulic acid. Silymarin, an antioxidant derived from the milk-thistle plant, helps prevent oil oxidation, while salicylic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid) fights breakouts.  

3. SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF (1 fl. oz.)

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF (1 fl. oz.)

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Best for Combination Skin If discoloration and signs of photo-aging are your main concerns, then Phloretin CF is for you. This formula combines vitamin C and ferulic acid with phloretin, an antioxidant derived from apples that does a number on dark spots. Unlike C E Ferulic, it doesn’t contain vitamin E, which makes it better suited for skin types with an oily T-zone (vitamin E can be too rich for combination skin).

4. SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Gel (1 fl. oz.)

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Gel (1 fl. oz.)

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Best for Combination Skin SkinCeuticals also carries the powerful Phloretin CF formula in gel form. The innovative serum-in-a-gel product is lightweight and absorbs quickly into the skin. Like the traditional serum form, this gel is also suitable for oily skin types due to its lack of vitamin E. Despite the lack of vitamin E, this formula will still work wonders when it comes to evening your skin tone and correcting dark spots.  

5. SkinCeuticals C AHA (1 fl. oz.)

SkinCeuticals C AHA (1 fl. oz.)

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Best for Normal, Combination, and Oily Skin The C AHA serum is formulated with a powerful blend of 15% L-Ascorbic Acid and a 10% blend of alpha-hydroxy acids. This serum provides the sun protection and anti-aging benefits of vitamin C, and the glycolic and lactic acids give an exfoliating effect to increase skin radiance and improve texture. This antioxidant-rich serum works best on normal, combination, and oily skin types.