[Review] SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, Phloretin CF & their best-sellers, is it worth the price?

My favorite American derm Dr. Shereen Idriss keeps recommending the products SkinCeuticals. Her routine, very simple, is made up of 5-6 products. I took advantage of my trip to Canada and the US to get my hands on these products, and I’m blown away by the results.

Today, I’m going to review the SkinCeuticals products I’ve tested and the ones tested by my friend Linh, a fan of the brand, so you’ll have a pretty complete list of SkinCeuticals products:

1. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
2. SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF
3. SkinCeutical Silymarin CF
4. SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense
5. SkinCeuticals – Hydrating B5
6. SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense
7. SkinCeuticals – Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50
8. SkinCeuticals H.A Intensifier
9. SkinCeuticals – Triple Lipid Restore
10. SkinCeuticals – Discoloration Defense Serum

Linh and I both have combination skin that breaks out as soon as something upsets it.
If I managed to get my acne completely under control and eradicate it thanks to a mix of Japanese, Korean, and American products, Linh wanted to go all in on SkinCeuticals products and keep her skin clear using SkinCeuticals.

Note: This post is not NOT sponsored. The links in the article point to the official SkinCeuticals store in France, but buy them wherever you want lol
If you get the chance to go to the United States soon, prices over there will be a bit gentler.

SkinCeuticals, what is it?

It’s an American cosmetics brand. The products are only distributed in spas, beauty institutes, some pharmacies, and dermatologists’ offices
It’s well known for its well-formulated products, with a high concentration of active ingredients and a medical cosmetics positioning. The brand was bought by L’Oréal.

The products are sorted into 3 categories:

• PREVENT: prevent – products to use as a preventive measure, for example anti-aging serums, preventing the appearance of wrinkles or fine lines
• CORRECT: correct – to treat skin issues like acne, redness, spots…
• PROTECT: protect – mainly sun protection products

The price is quite high so many use it when nothing else works – but then they’re won over by the products’ effectiveness.
If the price puts you off, you can first try the products via a facial treatment with them, then ask for samples before buying full size

If you’re in In Paris, they have a spa in the Marais (more info), very well equipped, and you can ask for a free customized skin diagnosis (which takes 5 minutes) or a paid one (20€ or free if you buy a product) to find the right routine.

Review: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

Ingredients: aqua / water / eau, ethoxydiglycol, ascorbic acid, glycerin, propylene glycol, laureth-23, phenoxyethanol, tocopherol, triethanolamine, ferulic acid, panthenol, sodium hyaluronate

Even though ferulic acid isn’t the most dosed ingredient, it greatly contributes to this serum’s success: since it neutralizes free radicals and boosts the antioxidant properties of Vitamins C and E. Also note that the combination of these 3 ingredients helps stabilize Vitamin C.

There’s this absolutely incredible video from the brand showing how an apple oxidizes in 20 minutes. If it’s protected by this serum’s antioxidants, it won’t oxidize. And even the oxidized part can turn white again in 10 minutes thanks to the serum. I’ll let you watch the video (others have tried the experiment at home and the results are exactly the same as shown in that promotional video)

Linh’s review: this serum delivers on its promises, skin looks more radiant, fine lines around the eye area disappear. You need very little product (3 drops for the whole face) so despite its price 148€ (for 30ml), the bottle lasts a long time. Linh says she can’t unfortunately speak to wrinkles because she doesn’t have any. On dark spots, it’s one of the best products on the market. The only criticism we can make of this serum is that because the Vitamin C is heavily dosed here, there’s an inevitable sticky effect on combination skin, and sensitive skin feels a slight sting. Dry or normal skin will appreciate this serum more, especially since it can be used during the day under sunscreen. Packaging: the bottle is dark glass and comes with a dropper, classy and effective.

Buy SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic from the official French website herei

Review: SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF

Ingredients: aqua / water / eau, dipropylene glycol, alcohol denat., ascorbic acid, butylene glycol, triethyl citrate, phloretin, ferulic acid

Less known than CE Ferulic, this serum SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF is the version for combination or oily skin, or for those who don’t like serums too heavy in Vitamin C. Indeed, when skin is prone to breakouts or isn’t tough enough, using Vitamin C can make it break out, so it’s better to opt for a serum less concentrated in Vitamin C like this one.

It’s a serum anti-aging containing 10% Vitamin C (in the form of L-ascorbic acid), 2% pure Phloretin, and 0.5% ferulic acid, with the same manufacturing process as the C E Ferulic serum, to guarantee proper delivery of Vitamin C to the skin. Even though ferulic acid isn’t the most dosed ingredient, it greatly contributes to this serum’s success: since it neutralizes free radicals and boosts the antioxidant properties of Vitamin C.

Here, Vitamin E has been replaced by Phloretin, an antioxidant that allows cell renewal. Apparently someone did the same experiment with the apple, and having less Vitamin C, this serum only restores the oxidized apple after 20 minutes (vs. 10 minutes for SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic).

My own opinion : Linh told me that C E Ferulic was more for normal skin, so having sensitive combination skin, I immediately bought the Phloretin CF version without using the C E Ferulic version (my wallet doesn’t allow me to buy both). I’m truly blown away by the results. It doesn’t stick at all—3-4 drops are enough for the whole face (so the bottle lasts me an eternity a year to be precise), and I really appreciate that it’s specially formulated for daytime use (always under sunscreen, of course—vitamin C boosts sunscreen). Along with Drunk Elephant’s vitamin C (Amazon link), which has very similar ingredients, it’s one of the few well-dosed vitamin C serums that doesn’t make me purge. I definitely prefer SkinCeuticals to Drunk Elephant because the Drunk Elephant version leaves a greasy film on the skin, whereas SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF is instantly absorbed and you can slather on moisturizer right after.

The effect is visible within days: fine lines gone, glowing complexion, and above all, no burning sensation despite the blazing sun—a nice little “lifting” effect. Dark spots fade very quickly, it’s impressive. Packaging-wise: the bottle is dark glass and comes with a dropper—classy and effective. It took me a year to finish it, and I’m very happy with the value for money.

Note: I’ve tried other much cheaper dupes, but I always come back to SkinCeuticals. Their vitamin C is specially formulated so it doesn’t make me break out, unlike other copies. I don’t know why, but that’s just how it is. My skin instantly looks radiant with this serum, so despite the price, I’ll repurchase.

Buy SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF from their official French site herei

Review: SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF

Ingredients: AQUA / WATER • ALCOHOL DENAT. • ASCORBIC ACID • PROPYLENE GLYCOL • DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL • LAURETH-23 • SILYBUM MARIANUM FRUIT EXTRACT • SODIUM CITRATE • SALICYLIC ACID • FERULIC ACID

New! This serum just came out. I can’t wait to try it. The online reviews are very positive. It’s a vitamin C specially formulated for acne-prone, combination to oily skin. With 15% L-ascorbic acid on top! More concentrated than Phloretin CF, so the antioxidant power will be even better. Instead of vitamin E (which can make some people break out), they just add a little salicylic acid (0.5%). Let me finish my current serums. I’ll test this one this summer and I’ll let you know.

Buy SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF from their official French site here

Review: SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense

Ingredients: alcohol denat., water, methylpropanediol, glycolic acid, diisopropyl adipate, octadecenedioic acid, hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid, citric acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, sodium hydroxide, polyquaternium-10

Linh’s review: This is the product my friend Linh chose to get rid of her pimples. Results are visible from the first week. Plus, dioic acid also treats dark spots, so pimples treated with this serum don’t leave brown marks. Now that her skin is clear, she still applies it 2-3 times a week as a preventive measure on areas prone to breakouts.

If the price puts you off (€91, no less), know that I don’t use this serum like Linh but a multitude of other products cheap (see my article here). However, this serum doesn’t reduce pores. For that, you have more affordable options like the serum Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% from The Ordinary à 5,6€ (Sephora link, The Ordinary link

Review: SkinCeuticals – Hydrating B5

Ingredients: aqua / water / eau, phenoxyethanol, calcium pantothenate, sodium hyaluronate

Linh’s review: After treating breakouts, the skin still remains sensitive and damaged. B5 serums are the best for repairing the skin barrier. My friend Linh used it and really liked it. However, repairing the skin barrier takes time. Let’s just say she applied it religiously every day to her face, and one day, she realized her complexion was even and her skin looked amazing. Plus, the serum is absorbed very quickly by the skin, so it feels like it’s working (in fact, it absorbs so fast that it’s better to apply it directly with the dropper rather than putting it in your hand).

The value for money is a bit outrageous in her opinion because there are other much more affordable B5-based products like The Ordinary, which has almost the same composition for 10 times less: €6.80 (hyaluronic acid + B5, Sephora link, The Ordinary link) or The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5 for €6.80 (The Ordinary link, Sephora link) if you only want B5.

As for me, I preferred using Japanese products from Tune Makers with ceramides and fullerenes that cost around thirty euros.
I recently discovered NIOD CAIS 2 which repairs the skin barrier very well for 45€ with copper peptides.

Buy SkinCeuticals – Hydrating B5 from their official French website here

Review: SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense

Ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, dimethicone, c12-15 alkyl benzoate, triethylhexanoin, isohexadecane, talc, hydrogenated jojoba oil, dimethicone crosspolymer, styrene/acrylates copolymer, c30-45 alkyldimethylsilyl polypropylsilsesquioxane, dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, aluminum stearate, alumina, polyhydroxystearic acid, iron oxides, phenoxyethanol, silica silylate, peg-8 laurate, triethoxycaprylylsilane, 2-oleamido-1,3-octadecanediol, disodium stearoyl glutamate, paraffin, aluminum hydroxide

My review: I am (well, my skin is) extremely picky. Very few sunscreens work for me. I’ve finally found two sunscreens I like, but they sting my eyes too much, so I had to buy the special eye area sunscreen from SkinCeuticals. For 10ml, it’s very expensive, but you only need the equivalent of a pea-sized amount for both eye contours. It doesn’t migrate, it doesn’t sting the eyes, and the cream is also slightly tinted, so it doubles as a 2-in-1 product : sunscreen AND concealer. I really appreciate that it’s a physical/mineral sunscreen (not chemical) because my skin can no longer tolerate chemical sunscreens. The SPF 50 suits me perfectly. The only downside: Dimethicone is the 3rd ingredient, but the eye area can handle this ingredient. 38€ for 10ml, but I haven’t found an equivalent. I highly recommend

Order SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense from their official French website here

Review: SkinCeuticals – Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50

Ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, water, dimethicone, isododecane, c12-15 alkyl benzoate, undecane, triethylhexanoin, isohexadecane, nylon-12, caprylyl methicone, butyloctyl salicylate, phenethyl benzoate, styrene/acrylates copolymer, silica, tridecane, dicaprylyl carbonate, dicaprylyl ether, talc, dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer, aluminum stearate, pentylene glycol, peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, alumina, polyhydroxystearic acid, phenoxyethanol, magnesium sulfate, caprylyl glycol, iron oxides, peg-8 laurate, disteardimonium hectorite, triethoxycaprylylsilane, tocopherol, propylene carbonate, artemia extract, benzoic acid, c9-15 fluoroalcohol phosphate, peg-9

It’s one of the brand’s top-sellers. I was able to use this product thanks to the samples given with my purchases. And during facial treatments using SkinCeuticals products (see the SkinCeuticals spa in Paris). Result: I really don’t like it. Even though this sunscreen is tinted and the color suits me well, my skin reacted violently to the dimethicone in this cream and broke out. It has a more fluid texture than the eye sunscreen, and the aspect looks darker. Less sensitive skin will probably appreciate this product more: proof is that it’s a best-seller for the brand!

Review: SkinCeuticals H.A Intensifier

Ingredients: AQUA / WATER / EAU / CYCLOHEXASILOXANE / GLYCERIN / ALCOHOL DENAT. / HYDROXYPROPYL TETRAHYDROPYRANTRIOL / PROPYLENE GLYCOL / DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATE / POLYSILICONE-11 / POLYMETHYLSILSESQUIOXANE / SODIUM HYALURONATE / DIMETHICONE / TOCOPHEROL / PHENOXYETHANOL / CAPRYLOYL SALICYLIC ACID / OCTYLDODECANOL / BIS-PEG/PPG-16/16 / PEG/PPG-16/16 DIMETHICONE / PEG-20 METHYL GLUCOSE SESQUISTEARATE / AMMONIUM POLYACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE / CAPRYLYL GLYCOL / XANTHAN GUM / DEXTRIN / ORYZA SATIVA EXTRACT / RICE EXTRACT / DISODIUM EDTA / CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE / SODIUM HYDROXIDE / ADENOSINE / CITRUS NOBILIS PEEL OIL / MANDARIN ORANGE PEEL OIL / LIMONENE / T-BUTYL ALCOHOL / CELLULOSE ACETATE BUTYRATE / POLYPHOSPHORYLCHOLINE GLYCOL ACRYLATE / POLYVINYL ALCOHOL / SODIUM CHLORIDE / BUTYLENE GLYCOL / PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE

My friend Linh is in love with it. She received it as a sample and just bought the full size. For parched skin, it’s THE miracle product to absolutely buy, and it brightens dull skin overnight. The skin drinks this serum. It’s no wonder because this serum contains 10% Proxylane, which increases the synthesis of GAGs, including hyaluronic acid, and helps maintain the integrity of the extracellular matrix to improve firmness. It also contains extracts of licorice root for a spot-fading effect and 1.3% hyaluronic acid (in the form of SODIUM HYALURONATE), which can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water. Linh doesn’t have wrinkles so she can’t definitively confirm the anti-wrinkle effect of this serum, but I’ll just put the before/after photos provided by the brand here.

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Buy SkinCeuticals H.A Intensifier from France here

Review: SkinCeuticals – Triple Lipid Restore

Ingredients: aqua/water/eau, dimethicone, hydrogenated polyisobutene, glycerin, cholesterol, c12-15 alkyl benzoate, ceramide 3, helianthus annuus seed oil unsaponifiables/sunflower seed oil unsaponifiables, bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane, sodium polyacrylate, peg-10 dimethicone, nylon-12, lauryl peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer, phenoxyethanol, disteardimonium hectorite, hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid, ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, chlorphenesin, caprylyl glycol, peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone, propylene carbonate, disodium edta, acrylonitrile/methyl methacrylate/vinylidene chloride copolymer, adenosine, dipropylene glycol, lavandula angustifolia oil/lavender oil, rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil/rosemary leaf oil, t-butyl alcohol, mentha piperita oil/peppermint oil, sodium citrate, linalool, isobutane, ceramide eop, bht, tocopherol, limonene, d182888/1

The reason our faces appear more angular over time is the loss of lipids in the face. By retaining enough lipids, the skin is plumped up and looks younger, with fewer wrinkles too. So this cream aims to restore essential skin lipids: ceramides, natural cholesterol, and fatty acids.

Linh’s review: Non-greasy feel, the skin is softer and more radiant. The jar is 48ml but lasts long because you only need a tiny amount for the whole face. However, Linh isn’t sure the cream really added many lipids to her skin. The “softer skin” aspect might just be a mirage created by the silicone as the second ingredient. This cream is better reserved for winter use. Not an essential purchase.

Review: Discoloration Defense Serum

Ingredients: Aqua/Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Propylene Glycol, Tranexamic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA

I’m sorry, I don’t have a personal review for this serum because it’s on my wishlist wishlist, but I can’t wait to get my hands on this magic bottle. The fact that it’s highly recommended by Shereen Idriss, THE New York dermatologist who knows every ingredient inside out, and who has tested it personally, is a huge mark of quality.

It contains:

• 1.8% tranexamic acid: Acts at the source and disables inflammatory mediators and reduces melanocyte activity in the basal layer. Not many serums contain this miracle ingredient. I’m so excited to try it. Shereen claims it’s as effective as hydroquinone, an ingredient I really liked but can’t be used continuously, and even less on non-Caucasian skin.
• 5% niacinamide: Water-soluble form of essential vitamin B3, also called nicotinamide, this molecule prevents the transfer of excess melanin to the skin surface. It acts on the melanogenesis step. Already known for its soothing and healing properties, niacinamide has been shown to inhibit melanin transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes.
• 5% hepes: Exfoliates the excess pigmented cells on the skin surface (keratolytic action).

Apparently, it has effects even on old and stubborn spots. I’ll leave you with a before/after image provided by the brand here. I hope Santa will take my wishlist 😉 into account so I can do my own before/after. I’m currently using Re:Pigment by NIOD, which works really well because it contains azelaic acid, but I’d like slightly faster results 😀

Buy SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Serum from France here

Conclusion

I hope this article made you want to try the products SkinCeuticals. Thanks Linh for her reviews & feedback <3

I’ve tried many vitamin C serums and SkinCeuticals’ are truly unique, very stable, concentrated, yet gentle on the skin. They far surpass those from Drunk Elephant, Paula’s Choice, and their American/Korean/Japanese dupes:

1. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic for dry or normal skin
2. SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF for combination or oily skin

If you still have doubts due to the high prices, I suggest opting for a facial treatment at their spa in the Marais (more info).
After that, you’ll get some mini samples. After 1 week, if you’re still convinced, buy the full size.

For me, the products must-sees (which don’t have equally effective dupes and are worth every penny) include:

1. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic for dry or normal skin
2. SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF for combination or oily skin
3. SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense for a tinted eye contour sunscreen that doesn’t migrate
4. SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Serum (if you believe the enthusiastic reviews from US users)

On the official SkinCeuticals website, for every purchase, you’ll always get 1 to 2 10ml samples (equivalent to €35 worth of products), so buy one product at a time to enjoy the samples 😀 Use the code WELCOME10 for -10% off your first order.