SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic with 15% L-Ascorbic Acid

30 ml / 1 fl oz
Made in
USA
Recommended by dermatologists and plastic surgeons, this 15% Vitamin C serum (ascorbic acid) created by Dr Pinnell has ferulic acid and Vitamin E to keep it active and working over time. Packaged well for stability.
Best For
Enhanced Protection from UV damage, skin cancer [2,6]; Skin soothing, moisturizing, hydrating, and rejuvenation [1]; Reduces fine wrinkles and existing discoloration[6]
What's in It 15% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) + 1% vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) + 0.5% ferulic acid (helps stability)
Strength
5/5
Results
4/5
Safety
4/5
Ingredients of Concern

phenoxyethanol (safe in small amounts), triethanolamine

    • All-natural
    • Organic
    • Fragrance-free
    • Cruelty-free
    • Paraben-free
    • Vegan

    • May help reduce fine lines and wrinkles for as long as the serum is stable
    • Serum contains ingredients like ferulic acid and Vitamin E for stability. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) alone is an unstable antioxidant which will lose its ability to provide an actual benefit after opening bottle and exposure to light thereby needing the additional antioxidants Vitamin E and Feurlic acid. Although it is not evident how long this serum can last.
    • Science has shown that all 3 of these ingredients work together to provide a powerful protection from damaging UV rays and skin cancer
    • Plastic surgeon recommended due to high actives that can push performance
    • May help prevent further sun & pollution damage like dark spots, lines, etc
    • Some say their skin was smooth and brightened. Others say their skin glowed
    • Dark bottle protects Vitamin C which can easily get damaged in sunlight
    • Over the years, Skinceuticals has funded multiple studies that prove C E Ferulic's potency.
    • Skinceuticals has shown through studies that this serum can reduce combined oxidative damage from free radicals generated by UV, Ozone, and Diesel Exhaust by up to 41%
    • Made in the USA
    • Ingredients concern: phenoxyethanol (safe in small amounts), triethanolamine
    • The smell is a bit stinky - whoa - it lingers on your fingers to the point you need to wash them. For a few, the smell is enough to stop them from using the product. However, this is due to not adding any synethic dyes or colors which is a pretty good thing for safety.
    • VItamin C is very unstable which means it does not last with exposure to air, heat, and light. YOu need to keep the bottle away from the sun and in a cool area.
    • This serum contains the addition of Ferulic acid and Vitamin E which helps with stability of Vitamin C, but it really is not evident how long it can keep the formula stable. Changes in color, smell or consistency need to be monitored as it could be a sign of oxidation which means the product is no longer providing you any anti-aging benefits.

    SkinCeuticals is an excellent company that believes in advanced skincare backed by science. They focus on cosmeceuticals which provide active ingredients clinically proven to enhance your skin a noticeable way. The fact that they use dark bottles to protect their active ingredients shows their commitment to performance. You will often see this brand sold in plastic surgeon offices and cosmetic dermatology offices. What sets them apart is - Extensive medical-grade clinical testing to prove the products really work. The company was founded in 1997 encompassing the research of Dr. Sheldon Pinnell. He is one of the authors of several of the peer reviewed papers in scientific journals. SkinCeuticals is doing eco-friendly things by modernizing their fulfilment center to use wind turbines. Dr Pinnell orginally was pitching Cellex-C which has a similar formulation and has studies behind it. Then, he moved on to create his own line of products at Skinceuticals.

    Strength

    Ascorbic acid is listed as the third ingredient and at a 15% concentration, this would reveal that the serum has a good potency level. It is also created by a doctor and recommended by doctors offices which also endorses its strength as dermatologists tend to recommend products that have high active ingredients. However, there are vitamin c serums that have vitamin c as the second ingredient and at higher levels like 20% or which have multiple forms of vitamin c thereby in combination having a high potency.

    Results:

    The results are firstly, that SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic claims to keep Vitamin C stable, a huge step above the rest.[4] This would potentially allow Vitamin C to stay active and provide its amazing anti-aging benefits. However, there are scientists who believe that it is not possible to keep ascorbic acid stable for very long even with the addition of ferulic acid. If stable, Vitamin C can improve skin by 1) increasing the protection against the damaging effects of UV rays and helping to protect your skin from skin cancer. [2] You will see this product featured in dermatology offices. Note that it works differently than sunscreen in protecting your skin and is great to use both together. The second benefit is that Vitamin C stimulates collagen making you skin appear more plump and youthful. This takes time and is not always an effect you will see without long term use. Some never see this effect, but the sun protection benefits are enough to use Vitamin C. Thirdly, Vitamin C can brighten your skin by reducing the darkness of pigmentation spots which gives you a more even skin tone. Note that if the Vitamin C is not stable, then there are other ingredients in this serum that can provide skin benefits like hyaluronic acid.

    Safety:

    This serum did not receive a perfect clean safety rating due to the inclusion of triethanolamine which is rated a 5 on EWG as it has a tendency to be an irritant or cause allergies in certain people. Although the formula overall is relatively safe and has been in existence for many years. Phenoxyethanol has an EWG safety rating of 2-4, in concentrations of 1% or less it is considered safe. At higher concentrations, there may be some concern, but it tends to be the preferred choice of preservative for natural skincare brands.

    Enhanced Protection from UV damage, skin cancer [2,6]; Skin soothing, moisturizing, hydrating, and rejuvenation [1]; Reduces fine wrinkles and existing discoloration[6]
    Vitamin C has so many great benefits but it is unstable as soon as you open the bottle exposing it to air and light. [4] This makes many Vitamin C products practically useless. Hence, the importance of using a dark bottle to protect from light and combining it with other antioxidants to provide the stability it needs to last beyond bottle opening. Benefits of Vitamin C are that it acts directly upon collagen metabolism by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin fibers [2]. Collagen production is vital for healthy skin, bones, tendons, and muscles. In addition, the combination of Vitamin C, Ferulic acid and Vitamin E provide enhanced Protection from UV damage, skin cancer[2]; Hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate) provides skin soothing, moisturizing, hydrating, and rejuvenation[1]. Feurlic acid is widely applied in skin care formulations as a photoprotective agent (sunscreens), delayer of skin photoaging processes, and brightening component. It also helps reduce fine wrinkles and existing discoloration. With a strong ability to penetrate into the skin, along with how it works great with many cosmetic formulas by stabilizing properties of other ingredients, Ferulic acid has become popular in skin care.[6] Vitamin E helps ease sunburn and protects the skin from UV damage due to its soothing, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties [2].

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

    Is SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Acid Animal Cruelty Free? - SkinCeuticals does not test any of its products or any of its ingredients on animals, nor does SkinCeuticals delegate this task to others. The only possible exception is if regulatory authorities required it for safety or regulatory purposes.

    Is SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Acid Vegan? No - however - The L'Oréal Group, which includes SkinCeuticals does not use any ingredient from rare or endangered animal species, nor any ingredient of porcine, bovine or ovine origin; except lanolin (which is taken from live sheep). They use derivatives of raw materials of animal origin in restricted quantities, such as honey, beeswax, lanolin, as well as fish derivatives and poultry egg derivatives. The L'Oréal Group, which includes SkinCeuticals does not use any ingredient from rare or endangered animal species, nor any ingredient of porcine, bovine or ovine origin; except lanolin (which is taken from live sheep). They use derivatives of raw materials of animal origin in restricted quantities, such as honey, beeswax, lanolin, as well as fish derivatives and poultry egg derivatives. The vast majority of the SkinCeuticals profile are free of animal derived ingredients. They understand that this is a widespread subject throughout the world and are continually looking for vegan friendly alternatives at SkinCeuticals.

    In the morning after cleansing and toning, apply 4-5 drops to a dry face, neck, and chest. It is recommended to apply sunscreen after.
    These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
    1. Bukhari SNA, Roswandi NL, et al. Hyaluronic acid, a promising skin rejuvenating biomedicine: A review of recent updates and pre-clinical and clinical investigations on cosmetic and nutricosmetic effects. Int J Biol Macromol. 2018;120(Pt B):1682-1695. 2. Murray JC, Burch JA, et al. A topical antioxidant solution containing vitamins C and E stabilized by ferulic acid provides protection for human skin against damage caused by ultraviolet irradiation. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2004;26(5):231-8. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;59(3):418-25. 3. Pietta PG. Flavonoids as antioxidants. J Nat Prod. 2000;63:1035-1042 4. Burke KE. Interaction of vitamins C and E as better cosmeceuticals. Dermatol Ther. 2007 Sep-Oct;20(5):314-21. doi: 10.1111/j.1529-8019.2007.00145.x. PMID: 18045356. 5. Korać RR, Khambholja KM. Potential of herbs in skin protection from ultraviolet radiation. Pharmacogn Rev. 2011;5(10):164-73. 6. Bezerra G, Pereira M, Ostrosky E, Barbosa E, Moura M, Ferrari M, Aragão C, Gomes A: Compatibility study between ferulic acid and excipients used in cosmetic formulations by TG/DTG, DSC and FTIR. J Therm Anal Calorim 2017; 127: 1683–1691.
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