The Difference Between These Cult Vitamin C Serums (and Which One's Right for Your Skin)

By now, there's a good chance you’ve tried SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic... or heard enough about it for your bank account to be very afraid.

But did you know the cult vitamin C serum actually comes in four different versions for a variety of different skin types?

In other words, SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic isn't suited to everyone. But that's OK because it has a team of other antioxidant serum co-workers ready to deliver radiance and protect against environmental damage in a way that works for your skin type.

So, if you've ever wondered about the C E Ferulic hype or found it does not play well with your skin type, let's go through the differences between these SkinCeuticals antioxidant products:

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF, SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF, SkinCeuticals Serum 10 AOX+ and SkinCeuticals Resveratrol BE

What Is Vitamin C?

A quick refresher on Vitamin C: It's an essential nutrient, but it's also an active ingredient found in skincare with a high antioxidant content.

Some of the benefits of using a vitamin C serum include: protection against free radical damage, photo damage and pollution, increased collagen synthesis and the appearance of brighter, more radiant skin.

But whether it's natural or synthetic, vitamin C is a notoriously unstable ingredient, so you'll actually find one of its derivatives in your product's ingredients list. The most common and well tolerated form of vitamin C is Ascorbic acid/L-ascorbic acid.

Our Beauty Editor, Amy compares the two bestselling SkinCeuticals vitamin C serums to help you decide which one is right for you.

Are Vitamin C and Antioxidants the Same?

Vitamin C is an antioxidant, but despite what everyone tells you, there’s no need for every skin type to be using it.

For many of us, it's a holy grail ingredient, but if you've got oily, acne-prone or sensitised skin, you might find using a high strength (or the wrong strength) vitamin C product is quite irritating on the skin and leads to further breakouts.

Vitamin C might be the most abundant antioxidant in human skin, but it's not the only beneficial antioxidant in skin care.

Types of Antioxidants.

People will tell you again and again about the importance of putting antioxidants on your face... but why?

Incorporating antioxidants into your skincare routine (with or without a vitamin C component) will help fight free radical damage, oxidative stress and prevent the breakdown of collagen ensuring healthier, more youthful-looking skin.

Aside from vitamin C, here are some common antioxidants you might have seen on product packaging:

• Silymarin - An antioxidant derived from the milk thistle plant known for its detoxifying properties and proven to reduce oil oxidation (which can lead to breakouts).

• Phloretin - A newly-discovered yet potent flavonoid with antioxidant and pigment-inhibiting properties (great for sun damage!) that is suitable for oily and acne-prone skin.

• Ferulic acid - An antioxidant that boosts the effects of other antioxidants, hence why you’ll see it formulated in vitamin C products.

• Vitamin E - A very popular antioxidant well known for its moisturising and healing properties, as well as its ability to strengthen your skin barrier (I recommend this one all the time).

• Resveratrol - A personal favourite of mine, as it has the potential to boost the skin’s natural barriers to help fight ageing and protect the skin long term. Bonus: it’s very safe to use during pregnancy. (But always check with your medical specialist before starting a new product during pregnancy/breastfeeding.)

Learn about the different antioxidants and what they can do for your skin in this episode of the Skincare School podcast below.

SkinCeuticals Vitamin C Serum Reviews.

Now we know what antioxidants are and why vitamin C isn't one-size-fits-all, let’s chat through the differences between the SkinCeuticals antioxidant serums.

I'm talking about C E Ferulic vs Phloretin CF vs Silymarin CF. Oh, and don't forget about sensitive skin options Serum 10 AOX+ and Resveratrol B E.

Yep, it's pretty confusing. Here's the break down.

There are four main SkinCeuticals vitamin C serums:

• SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum

• SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF

• SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF

• SkinCeuticals Serum 10 AOX+

All four are potent antioxidant serums similar in price and size (30ml) that can be applied on cleansed skin in the morning before moisturiser and sunscreen.

Here are the important differences so you can choose the right product for your skin.

1. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic.

• C E Ferulic contains a vitamin C content of 15 per cent L-ascorbic, vitamin E and ferulic acid.

• Benefits include improved appearance of visible signs of ageing, and a brightened complexion.

• C E Ferulic is best suited to normal to dry skin types (oily, combo or acne-prone skin types may find it too irritating).

• Irritation with C E Ferulic tends to happen when too much is used, or when it's combined in a routine with other strong active ingredients.

• This serum has a strong scent (that's the active ingredients), a slightly oily consistency and a yellow colour.

2. SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF.

• Silymarin CF is a potent oil-free vitamin C serum that contains 15 per cent L-ascorbic acid.

• Also contains ferulic acid, 0.5 per cent silymarin and 0.5 per cent salicylic acid.

• Specifically for oily and blemish-prone skin.

• Light yellow colour and similar but weaker scent to C E Ferulic.

• This serum has been clinically proven to:

  • Reduce oil oxidation (which can lead to breakouts) by up to 76 per cent.

  • Reduce oiliness by 16 per cent in one week.

  • Improve the look of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation by 13 per cent in four weeks.

  • Improve overall skin appearance by 41 per cent in eight weeks.

3. SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF.

• Phloretin CF contains 10 per cent L-ascorbic, meaning it may not be as irritating as the higher C E Ferulic concentration.

• Also contains antioxidants ferulic acid and phloretin (instead of vitamin E).

• Benefits include improved appearance of skin discolouration and fine lines, and radiance without irritation.

• Phloretin CF is best suited to oily, normal and combination skin types.

• This serum is oil-free, but still has a strong scent and slight yellow colour.

4. SkinCeuticals Serum 10 AOX+.

• SkinCeuticals Serum 10 AOX+ is a beginner antioxidant serum formulated for sensitive skin.

• Contains with 10 per cent L-ascorbic acid and 0.2 per cent ferulic acid (delivered using a patented delivery method for minimal irritation).

• Plus, hyaluronic acid, glycerin and vitamin B5 (panthenol) support the skin's barrier.

• Lighter in colour, and only a subtle scent.

5. SkinCeuticals Resveratrol B E.

SkinCeuticals Resveratrol B E - Antioxidant Night Concentrate is the final option in this antioxidant-filled family.

Surprise! It's best used at night and more surprises! All skin types can benefit from this formula.

This resveratrol antioxidant formula has been designed to repair and prevent further collagen breakdown while you sleep.

I’d think of it like insurance if you’re not already using an antioxidant serum in the morning OR as a great way to incorporate one into your routine if you know vitamin C is not an ingredient for you.

If you’re using a vitamin A product at night, make sure you use that first and then apply this one on top before any other serums or moisturisers.

Which SkinCeuticals Antioxidant Serum Is Right for You?

At the end of the day, which SkinCeuticals antioxidant serum you choose depends on your skin type and whether or not you are or have been susceptible to vitamin C irritation in the past.

Got normal to dry skin? Go for the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic.

Blemish-prone, or vitamin C usually breaks you out? The best option for you is SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF.

If you’ve got normal to oily or combination skin, SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF is for you.

SkinCeuticals Serum 10 AOX+ is awesome for those with sensitive, sensitised skin, or who usually find vitamin C serums irritating.

And if your skin doesn't like vitamin C altogether OR you want to double up on your antioxidant protection, incorporate SkinCeuticals Resveratrol B E into your evening skincare routine.

Want more easy to follow skincare content? Check out these stories here:

• Bargain vs Bougie: The Best Vitamin C Serum for Your Skin Type (and Budget)

• A Skincare Scientist Explains Why This Cult $228 Serum Is Worth the Money

• The Difference Between The Ordinary 'Buffet' Serums (and Which One's Better for You)

• The Vitamin C Serum That Changed My Life and Lifted My Stubborn Pigmentation