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C E Ferulic with 15% L-Ascorbic Acid

The benchmark 15% vitamin C + E + ferulic serum, backed by strong data and derm loyalty, at a price many find hard to justify.

7.7

Good

Beauty score

#8 of 9 serums

Community

—/10

Format: Serum
Size: 1 fl oz
Price per oz: $182.37 / oz
Price tier: Luxury

Fragrance-freeAntioxidant Brightening Fine lines Firming Dark spots

Made for: Normal skin · Dry skin · Combination skin · Sensitive skin · Mature skin

Key ingredients:Vitamin C Vitamin E Ferulic acid Hyaluronic acid Panthenol

Check price on Amazon Buy from the brand$185

Also at

DEDermstore

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Last reviewed November 2, 2026 by our editors · How we score

The verdict

The benchmark 15% vitamin C + E + ferulic serum, backed by strong data and derm loyalty, at a price many find hard to justify.

C E Ferulic is SkinCeuticals' daytime antioxidant serum with 15% L-ascorbic acid, 1% vitamin E and 0.5% ferulic acid; a newer 'enhanced patent-pending formula' adds 0.3% carnosine and 1% Endophytol dandelion root extract. Dermatologists and creators widely treat it as the reference vitamin C serum, and the brand cites a 41% reduction in combined oxidative damage. It suits normal, dry and combination skin that tolerates pure vitamin C. The main drawbacks are the $185 price for 30 mL and a formula that darkens as it oxidizes.

Best for

Daily antioxidant protection under sunscreen
Dullness and early signs of aging
Buyers who want the original, clinically studied formula

What we love

Well-studied 15% L-ascorbic acid, 1% vitamin E and 0.5% ferulic acid combination
New formula adds 0.3% carnosine and 1% Endophytol for extra antioxidant support
Fragrance-free, paraben-free and dye-free
Brand says one application stays effective for at least 72 hours
HSA/FSA eligible at Dermstore

Worth knowing

$185 for 30 mL is a luxury price for a daily serum
L-ascorbic acid oxidizes and darkens; the brand advises using within 3-6 months of opening
Many lower-priced serums copy the same C + E + ferulic formula

How it scored

The breakdown.

Five factors, weighted for formulas. Here’s our working.

7.7Good

Beauty score out of 10. Brands can’t pay for placement — ever.

Results30%8.8
SkinCeuticals cites up to 41% reduction in combined oxidative damage plus visible anti-aging results, and dermatologist Dr. Jenny Liu calls it her holy-grail vitamin C serum.
Formula & ingredients20%9.0
The original 15% L-ascorbic acid, 1% vitamin E and 0.5% ferulic acid combination is the template most dupes copy, now boosted with carnosine and dandelion extract.
Texture & experience15%7.4
A fragrance-free serum used once each morning, but L-ascorbic acid darkens with air and light, and one reviewer reported an oxidized bottle on arrival.
Value20%4.6
At $185 for 30 mL, creators and dermatologists repeatedly point to $10-$30 alternatives with similar actives.
Community love15%8.4
Widely respected by dermatologists and skincare creators, though price-focused videos argue most people do not need it.

Beauty profile

Inside the bottle.

Texture

Thin, watery serum applied 4-5 drops at a time; color ranges from clear to pale yellow to amber and darkens over time, per the brand FAQ

Format

Serum

Fragrance

Fragrance-free

Size

1 fl oz / 30 ml

Key ingredients

Ingredient encyclopedia →

What’s in it: 15% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), 1% vitamin E (alpha tocopherol), 0.5% ferulic acid; enhanced formula adds 0.3% carnosine and 1% Endophytol (dandelion root extract).

How to use

In the morning after cleansing, dispense 4-5 drops into clean hands and press into face, neck and decolletage, then follow with other skincare and sunscreen.

Free from (brand-stated)

parabens
dyes
fragrance
intentionally added alcohol

Claims & certifications

Paraben-free
Fragrance-free
FSA/HSA eligible

Full ingredient list (INCI)18 ingredients · key actives highlighted · as listed by the brand

Aqua / Water / Eau,
Ethoxydiglycol,
Ascorbic Acid,
Glycerin,
Propylene Glycol,
Laureth-23,
Tocopherol,
Phenoxyethanol,
Sodium Hydroxide,
Ferulic Acid,
Carnosine,
Panthenol,
Sodium Hyaluronate,
Pentylene Glycol,
Taraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract - Dandelion Rhizome/Root Extract,
Maltodextrin,
Citric Acid,
Eperua Falcata Bark Extract

Formulas change. Always check the packaging, and patch-test if your skin is reactive.

Official product page

Creator video reviews

Watch it in action.

Real reviews, try-ons and wear tests from independent creators — verified with TikTok and YouTube and labelled when sponsored.

We don’t pay creators for reviews, and they don’t pay us. Nothing from TikTok or YouTube loads until you press play.

What people say

Straight from the source.

Verbatim from Reddit, forums, blogs and the beauty press — linked, so you can read the whole thread.

4 verbatim quotes · 3 positive · 1 mixed

r/SkincareAddiction

It's not popular anymore because of the cost and other high quality products on the market, but Skinceuticals C, E, Ferulic is one splurge that I hope to always be able to afford, because it makes my skin glow like no other, and I have tried a few.

u/Elle_the_Belle16r/SkincareAddiction · 2026-101Source

r/SkincareAddiction

Vitamin C is also incredibly well studied. This is best used as a serum in the morning. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is the gold standard (although a little pricey!)

u/SkinNerd556r/SkincareAddiction · 2026-102Source

r/SkincareAddiction

Skin Ceuticals CE Ferulic is amazing - a bottle last 12 weeks approx. Expensive but worth it in my view.

u/Elegant_Car_8183r/SkincareAddiction · 2026-091Source

r/SkincareAddiction

It feels the most similar to C E Ferulic. I do not like the texture of the Trader Joe’s brand. I’m going back to Geek and Gorgeous because the Skinceuticals is way too expensive and TJ’s is sticky as hell.

u/Little_Spoon_r/SkincareAddiction · 2026-092Source

Price & value

Is it worth it?

Typical price

$185

for 1 fl oz / 30 ml

Per ounce

$182.37

DrugstoreMid-rangePrestigeLuxury

Roughly 8.2× the typical price per ounce for serums. Our value score: 4.6/10 for a luxury pick.

Price checked November 2026 at a non-Amazon retailer. Prices change — retailers show the current one.

Where to buy

Check price on Amazon Buy from the brand$185 DESee it at Dermstore

We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never affects our scores or what we recommend. How we make money

Community

What members noticed.

Ratings, skin types and the benefits people actually saw — logged on the Benefit Wheel.

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Tried it? Your score — and your skin or hair type — helps the next person decide.

Highlighted: what it’s built to do.

Discussion

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FAQ

Good questions.

Why does C E Ferulic change color?

SkinCeuticals says its color ranges from clear to pale yellow to amber and darkens over time because of air and light exposure. The brand says this does not mean it has stopped working, and recommends using it within 3-6 months of opening.

What changed in the new formula?

The enhanced patent-pending formula keeps 15% vitamin C, 1% vitamin E and 0.5% ferulic acid and adds 0.3% carnosine and 1% Endophytol, a dandelion root extract. The brand says texture, scent and safety profile are unchanged.

Does it replace sunscreen?

No. SkinCeuticals directs users to apply it in the morning and follow with sunscreen; the antioxidants are meant to complement SPF, not replace it.

Is there a cheaper alternative?

Several creators compare it with lower-priced C + E + ferulic serums such as Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid. Those use similar actives at different concentrations and lack SkinCeuticals' own clinical data.

Sources we checked (4)