No. 70
in skincare
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How it works.
65% would recommend
Why we ranked it No. 70 in skincare
Sample
60 redditors with explicit opinion · 23 positive · 9 negative · 3 neutral
Score0.673 — formula: 0.75 × % positive + 0.25 × pos/neg ratio
Confidence95% CI: 49–79% · the true approval rate falls in this range with 95% statistical confidence
Verdict
Mixed — Threshold-based label from our methodology.
Sources
r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare, r/SkincareAddicts, r/DrugstoreMUA, r/40PlusSkinCare + 3 more
SkinCeuticals · skincare
Mixed
C E Ferulic with 15% L-Ascorbic Acid
r/SkincareAddictionr/30PlusSkinCarer/SkincareAddictsr/DrugstoreMUAr/40PlusSkinCarer/MakeupAddictionCanada
TL;DR — Reddit consensus
The most-studied vitamin C serum with clinical trial backing. Oxidizes fast and smells like hot dog water.
What redditors love
+
Only OTC vitamin C with multiple peer-reviewed studies
“the only OTC product that has had multiple peer-reviewed studies”
u/red_runner_23 · r/SkincareAddiction →
+
Delivers visible brightening results on combination skin
“on my combo skin they perform almost identically for brightening”
u/Krabadu · r/SkincareAddiction →
+
Maintains amazing skin quality over 10 years daily use
“everyday for 10 years straight. My skin is just amazing rn at 31”
u/zonna2912 · r/30PlusSkinCare →
+
Clinical trial data more convincing than unproven alternatives
“has substantial clinical trial data justifying its effects and clinical trial data is much more convincing”
u/No-Pattern-2124 · r/SkincareAddiction →
What they don’t
−
Oxidizes to orange before finishing half the bottle
“Mine oxidized before I even got halfway through the bottle — turned into that orange mess”
u/J1mgolf · r/SkincareAddiction →
−
Scent becomes unbearable and causes uncomfortable tingling
“the scent became unbearable, sometimes it made my skin tingle in a way that didn't feel right”
u/emi518 · r/SkincareAddiction →
Direct quotes
What 51 redditors actually said.
Top 6 by confidence shown — expand below for the rest. Click any to open the original on Reddit.
L
u/LoneKnight25
·
r/SkincareAddiction
+ 30% positive/total ratio Manually merged name variants so duplicates didn’t inflate scores (e.g., “CE Ferulic,” “C E Ferulic,” “Skinceuticals CE” → one entry) also used some other sentiment metrics, won't bore you with all the nerdy stuff. If you want see the full sentiment and
C
u/cargonzabeans
·
r/SkincareAddicts
There are different kinds of vitamin c. I use Vanicream which is tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. Skinceuticals is L-ascorbic acid (ferulic acid is a different kind of antioxidant). Cerave is also L-ascorbic acid. Wishing you the best with the Skinceuticals! People love it, but it's to
B
u/brokendollbaby
·
r/30PlusSkinCare
The ELF Bright Icon Vitamin C E Ferulic is an (imo) even better formulated dupe for the Skinceuticals C E Ferulic. Skinceuticals lost their patent and ELF scooped it up, and for $17 vs $185 no less! That stuff is pretty much my holy grail, I snagged two more on sale at Amazon for
E
u/emi518
·
r/SkincareAddiction
Was is worth it? No. I didn't even finish the bottle because the scent became unbearable, sometimes it made my skin tingle in a way that didn't feel right.
J
u/J1mgolf
·
r/SkincareAddiction
Mine oxidized before I even got halfway through the bottle — turned into that orange mess. For that price, I expected magic
D
u/dreaminginscience
·
r/30PlusSkinCare
it's a genuinely incredible product. Since then I've been on the hunt for a genuinely comparable dupe
Show all 51 mentions ↓
"Skinceuticals - CE ferulic"
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"would love any gentle cleanser and vitC serum recs - I can’t stand the smell of SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic and the Acure dupe smells the same 🫣"
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"Ode to the Hot Dog Water They say Skinceuticals CE Ferulic smells like hot dog water. Well guess what?
*It does.* And I want to bathe in"
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"SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic used to be the gold standard, but now that the patent expired"
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"great dupe for Skinceuticals which is insanely expensive and smells nasty lol"
View thread →
"rmatitis that I get every winter
For who? Dry, irritated skin.
20. **SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic Serum - 8/10**
*Pros:* Brightened and evened my skin tone.
*Cons:* So ex"
View thread →
"pigment correctors you can get.
**For Vitamin C,** the gold standard really is Skinceuticals CE Ferulic. This is stupid expensive though so I’m going to suggest Timeless Vitamin C. I"
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"I've been using Etiket (Montreal/Toronto based) for the great promos, until they unfortunately shut down"
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"I've used it for years. If your serum is clear at first, please check the concentration of the L-asorbic acid AND the CE ferulic."
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"It beat out the Skinceuticals in independent clinical testing"
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"Vitamin C (SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic), Retinol (Paula's Choice 1% Retinol), and recently I stepped it up"
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"SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic"
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"Does it smell like hot dog water like the skinceuticals?"
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"Blue Mercury and Dermstore have discounts on SkinCeuticals pretty often if you plan to repurchase."
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"Found at the San Ramon, CA Trader Joe's for $9.99. I've only been using it a few days, but I already prefer the feel of it to the Skinceuticals version. The serum was completely clear right out of the bottle -- anothe…"
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"actives!** # Notes: \- The Ordinary Cleanser - Skin-barrier friendly surfactants. \- Clinical Vit C + E + Ferulic Defend Serum – Best Skinceuticals dupe. \- CVS Differin + Dr Song - Epiduo equivalent but without the n…"
View thread →
"+ 30% positive/total ratio Manually merged name variants so duplicates didn’t inflate scores (e.g., “CE Ferulic,” “C E Ferulic,” “Skinceuticals CE” → one entry) also used some other sentiment metrics, won't bore you w…"
View thread →
"my skincare are: In the AM I use Skincare Generics CE Serum, which is a vitamin c serum and a dupe for the SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic. It includes 15% L-ascorbic acid, 1% vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) and 0.5% ferulic ac…"
View thread →
"actives!** # Notes: \- The Ordinary Cleanser - Skin-barrier friendly surfactants. \- Clinical Vit C + E + Ferulic Defend Serum – Best Skinceuticals dupe. \- CVS Differin + Dr Song - Epiduo equivalent but without the n…"
View thread →
"Timeless has a fantastic dupe for Skinceuticals CE Ferulic. I have used both."
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"I use the skinceuticals phloretin cf because their CE ferulic was too greasy for my oily-normal skin. I do my own microneedling at home and haven’t had any issues. It’s very easy to do and much cheaper that way. A mic…"
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"Matter of fact C-vitamin serum, i’m in love. A bit less expensive than my previous favorite the Skinceuticals Ferulic and with way better texture."
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"x2! It took me so long to tolerate tretinoin, but for some reason everything else is ok. I started off with Skinceuticals C E ferulic because I wanted to try to the O.G. before dupes and it worked so well that I’ve st…"
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"with the recommendations!! I’m taking a screenshot of your comment so this Friday I remember to order the SkinCeuticals Ferulic version of Vitamin C 🙌🏽🙌🏽 thank you thank you 🖤🖤 I have tried probably 4 to 5 different V…"
View thread →
"There are different kinds of vitamin c. I use Vanicream which is tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. Skinceuticals is L-ascorbic acid (ferulic acid is a different kind of antioxidant). Cerave is also L-ascorbic acid. Wishing y…"
View thread →
"The ELF Bright Icon Vitamin C E Ferulic is an (imo) even better formulated dupe for the Skinceuticals C E Ferulic. Skinceuticals lost their patent and ELF scooped it up, and for $17 vs $185 no less! That stuff is pret…"
View thread →
"the one that I've consistently purchased is Maelove's Glow Maker. This one has the usual suspects like 15% lascorbic acid, ferulic acid, and vitamin E (just like Skinceuticals), but also has some botanical extracts th…"
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"How does any other vitamin c product’s clinical trial data compare to the skinceuticals ce ferulic clinical trial data? As in, the main skinceuticals ce ferulic clinical trial was double blinded and lasted 90 days on …"
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"1. How I cleared my cystic acne 2. How I cleared my acne scars 3. My current routine 4. My top 5 favorite products and reviews 1. How I cleared my cystic acne My acne was hormonal and I had had it since I was a teenag…"
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"Okay - let’s try this again! Since I have about 4 months til I get kicked out of this group and have to head on over to the 40s one - I thought I’d ask for a peer review to see what treatment or products may improve w…"
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"The Skinceuticals, Roc, and LRP products mostly. Since they’re already on my list of favorites. Plus, I’m excited to give some lil goody bags to friends 🥹"
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"I bought 2 bottles for around $30 USD. Just finished a bottle. The smell is very strong compared to Skinceuticals CEF. My husband said it’s like hot dog water with strong garlic scent. The scent was gone after about 5…"
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"Yes! I am cystic/inflammed acne prone but also pretty dry and sensitive. My skin has changed a lot recently for a variety of reasons I think so I’m honestly still trying to find my ideal routine that works for me and …"
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"I went through a similar trial and believed that vitamin C wasn't doing much of anything for my skin because I still experienced discoloration and some (admittedly mild) melasma on my forehead. I used it for about two…"
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"This is amazing! Congrats! I second the water rinse in the morning. Are you liking the IS vitamin c serum? I tried the skinceuticals vitamin c serum and it broke me out majorly but I’d love to add maybe a gentler one …"
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"This was me in 2025. Not for a high school reunion, but I suspected that I was being passed over at work for opportunities and promotions due to my weight and my general ability to put myself together. (I was right fw…"
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"All my skincare product knowledge I have gotten free from dermatologists online who test products on their own skin before recommending them. Doctorly has a great video for you to start with “The Only Skincare You Act…"
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"I buy the Skinceuticals product and there is no seal, except on the box itself."
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"I used retin-a for a few years and eventually stopped breaking out. Got Botox on my 11s (HUGE difference because I used to look perpetually pissed off, lol) TNS Advanced Serum when I can afford it. It’s like a miracle…"
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"This happened to me out of nowhere. Only thing that helped is the skinceuticals age + blemish serum. It’s pricey but it lasts a long time and it worked wonders within a week or two!"
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"tbf Skinceuticals does have a pretty goated Vitamin C but your skin doesn’t look like it desperately needs the top of the line Vit C, there are loads of brands that you could start with and see how it goes that Botox …"
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"Not to mention, the ingredients aren't even the same as Skinceuticals and it contains fragrance. Pass. ETA: and it contains the Acetate form of Vitamin E."
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"Here’s my hot take: if any of the other companies who are currently able to make a C E Ferrulic due to Skinceuticals’ patent ending use ads that knock the price instead of showing similar benefits, they aren’t deservi…"
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Threads tracked
The conversations we're watching.
●
r/SkincareAddiction
Whats The Most Youve Spent On A Skincare Product
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r/SkincareAddiction
Review Why Are We Still Paying For Skinceuticals
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r/30PlusSkinCare
Vitamin C Timeless Vs Skinceuticals
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r/SkincareAddiction
Misc I Analyzed 60 Reddit Posts To Find The Best
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r/30PlusSkinCare
Whats A Skincare Products Or Procedure You
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r/SkincareAddiction
Product Question 8 Months Since Skinceuticals Ce
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r/SkincareAddiction
Misc Why Hasnt Anybody Released The Cheaper
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r/30PlusSkinCare
Looking To Add A Couple New Products To My Routine
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