Ingredient Quality: Vitamins C And E Join Forces With Ferulic Acid
SkinCeuticals lists three ingredients as key players in this serum: 15% L-ascorbic acid, a highly potent form of pure vitamin C that neutralizes free radicals, protects against oxidative stress, and provides visible anti-aging benefits 1% alpha-tocopherol, the pure form of vitamin E that works together with vitamin C to neutralize free radicals and replenish the skins lipids and 0.5% ferulic acid, a plant-based antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and enhances the antioxidant benefits and stability of vitamins C and E.
While these ingredients are spread out on the ingredient list, the brand lists the concentration of eachand even though some are in small concentrations, these ingredients are potent! However, C E Ferulic is not considered clean by Byrdies standards due to its inclusion of triethanolamine.
How Should You Incorporate Vitamin C Into Your Skin
Sara Hogan, M.D., a dermatologist at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, previously told SELF that the right time to add vitamin C into your skin-care routine depends on what kind of product it is. As far as serums are concerned, theyre best applied directly after cleansing your skin but before moisturizing it.
Since vitamin C is available in a number of concentrationsfrom below 5% up to 30%its important to choose yours wisely depending on your skin type. Dr. Hogan suggested those with dry or sensitive skin stick to lower concentrations, which are usually less irritating, as we mentioned above. Oily skin types, or those who deal with extensive pigmentation issues, can likely handle higher serum intensities to improve tone and texture.
If you use retinol or benzoyl peroxide on a regular basis, dermatologists advise steering clear of using a vitamin C serum at the same time, as the combination can cause it to lose potency. Since its more effective to use vitamin C in the morningit becomes unstable once the ingredient is exposed to light, and thats when UV radiation is at its highestprofessionals recommend using benzoyl peroxide and retinol at night, or on different days of the week for the best results. And if youre wondering about the effects of using a vitamin C serum along with a different active ingredient you rely on in your skin-care routine, be sure to do some research into whether it makes sense to combine them before you dive in.
So Should You Buy The Skinceuticals Vitamin C Serum
Just like its impossible to go back to a wired bra after youve tried out the best bralettes around, the SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic has left us with a jarring sense of discontent every time we slather on an alternative vitamin C serum. We can only imagine how bereft we will feel once our dropper has squeezed its last drop, there are just so many dreamy elements to it.
Not only does this thin serum soak straight into the skin, so youre not left with pesky skincare or foundation pilling from too many layers of thick product fighting against each other, but unlike some other vitamin C and E serums weve come across, there is no greasy residue with this one. It leaves skin plump and hydrated but not oily, theres no tightness or dryness left behind and it goes above and beyond when it comes to brightening.
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How Does Vitamin C Fight Free Radical Damage
Free radicals are produced in skin from environmental factors such as UV rays, infrared, pollution, and cigarette smoke causing atmospheric skin aging by generating free radicals — unstable molecules with unpaired electrons. Free radicals try to steal electrons from healthy molecules, causing oxidative stress. Over time, free radical damage leads to visible signs of accelerated skin aging including fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, and laxity. This science is known as the free radical theory of aging .Vitamin C, in its pure form , helps protect against this damage by donating electrons to neutralize damaging free radicals, in turn helping prevent the appearance of premature aging.
What Is The Skinceuticals C E Ferulic
The SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic claims to protect and brighten the skin.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic contains three key ingredients that are all antioxidants that neutralize free radicals, i.e., molecules with uneven electrons that cause signs of aging on the skin: 15% L-ascorbic acid to brighten and firm the skin, 1% alpha tocopherol to moisturize, and 0.5% ferulic acid, which can be derived from nuts or seeds, to stabilize the two former ingredients as theyre prone to oxidizing and spoiling.
SkinCeuticals claims that this serum is effective for a minimum of 72 hours post-absorption, meaning it should protect your skin from the free radicals in pollution and reduce skin damage from UVA rays for up to three days . The brand says its suitable for all skin types, including sensitive, and recommends applying four to five drops to the face, neck, and chest after cleansing in the morning.
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So Are Dupes Effective At All
One of the most popular dupes for SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is Timeless Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum . The brand states on its website that its philosophy is under-sell and over-deliver. And at first glance, the ingredient lists do look extremely similar.
Both use the same type of solvents water and ethoxydiglycol, Romanowski told HuffPost. They also have the same active ingredients . There are only a few minor ingredient differences between the two and those are likely just to get around the SkinCeuticals patent. For example, SkinCeuticals uses a glycerin/propylene glycol blend, whereas the Timeless product uses only propylene glycol, explained Romanowski. This may make the SkinCeuticals formula feel a little more sticky.
Any differences in ingredients or percentages most likely wont lead to any noticeable difference to the consumer, Romanowski told us, so theres no need to dwell on that 5% difference, especially considering the optimal percentage of L-ascorbic acid another term for vitamin C is actually a range .
There are also ingredients that may enhance or prevent delivery of L-ascorbic acid into the skin, and for the average consumer, glancing at an ingredient list wont reveal those.
Timeless Vitamin Https: //amznto/3j9yifbc Serum
- $25 for 1 oz
I enjoyed using this serum . It had barely any smell, applied nicely and it didnt contribute to excess oil on my skin. For the first month, I didnt experience any irritation or dryness despite its low pH. After about a month, I started to notice little jagged crystals sometimes made their way on my skin, and that is when I saw that crystals were forming around the opening of the product . When that happened it wasnt pleasant but it also wasnt a deal breaker, I just had to be sure to constantly wipe the top of the bottle to remove them before using it. However, I did start to wonder whether that was indicating the serum was oxidizing, even though the color wasnt changing. . I also noticed that the side that I applied the Timeless serum was starting to become slightly more sensitive to wash cloths and acids, so that made me start to think that the low pH of the serum might be causing some sensitivity. Nonetheless, I did see improvement in pigmentation .
Will I purchase the Timeless now that mine is gone? No.
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Yes If Its In Your Budget
I dont cast any judgment on those whose priorities include splurging on skincare. So if you have the extra cash or you can snag this during a sale, I say go for it. I like the results I saw and Im curious to see if I notice even more of an improvement in my skins tone with continued useafter my seven weeks of use, Ive only used a third of the bottle.
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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
Is There A Difference Between Pure Vitamin C And Vitamin C Derivatives
Vitamin C is available in a variety of forms, but none are to absorb as effectively as L-Ascorbic Acid . In clinical studies, derivatives of ascorbic acid including magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl-6-palmitate, and dehydroascorbic acid have not been shown as effective. All SkinCeuticals antioxidants are formulated with pure l-ascorbic acid in accordance with the Duke Antioxidant patent.
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Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Review: We Compared It To Another Popular Vitamin C Serum To See How It Fares
It is an undisputed fact that vitamin C is good for you. From providing protection against immune system deficiencies to lowering the risk of heart disease, it is a multi-functional powerhouse that keeps sickness at bay.
But did you know that it is good for your skin, too? Nope, youâre not reading that wrong! In fact, vitamin C helps in boosting collagen production, lightening hyperpigmentation, and repairing damaged skin. In fact, all these skin benefits is precisely why vitamin C is the most searched for beauty product in 2017 alone, with people claiming that the inclusion of it in skincare has changed the beauty world as we know it.
One of these revolutionary game changers when it comes to vitamin C beauty products? The SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. Known for its ability to brighten skin tones, erase wrinkles, and boost skin firmness, it is a product that has certainly reached a cult-like status, with local celeb Joanne Peh being a fan! She uses the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic to defy signs of aging, as well as to counteract the long hours of filming under the sun along with a lack of sleep as she balances her duties as a mother of two.
But is it really as it effective as everyone claims it to be? With this in mind, we set out to find out more about the product.
Who Is Skinceuticals For
Skinceutical products are for people who have skin. I know its self-explanatory, but hear me out. Most people arent blessed with Instagram perfection.
From fine lines to acne spots, a majority of us are troubled with at least one primary skin concern. This is where Skinceuticals fits in.
Since they usually target those who have wrinkles and aging spots, its safe to assume that Skinceuticals is catered to an older demographic.
With that being said, that shouldnt stop younger customers from applying their products. But before you make any significant changes or lifelong commitments, I suggest consulting with a professional first to see if their formulas are right for you.
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How Long Will It Remain Stable
- Statement from Skinceuticals: L-ascorbic acid may discolor with time, but oxidation is minimal and the formulation is proven to remain effective. All SkinCeuticals antioxidant formulations have been tested in final packaging and have been confirmed to remain stable and effective for 36 months, and up to 6 months after opening.
- Skinceuticals has undergone stability testing to show that their serum is at least 88% as potent even after a year of storage and when the color has gotten darker yellow. . This may not matter to everyone, but knowing that their particular formula has been tested for efficacy and stability is a major bonus for me.
What Should I Look For When Choosing A Vitamin C Serum
A topical vitamin C antioxidant must be formulated properly in order to be effective. Based on the research of SkinCeuticals founding scientist Dr. Sheldon Pinnell, SkinCeuticals was the first to discover the exact formulation specifications required for optimal vitamin C absorption and efficacy. This is dependent on three factors, known as the Duke Antioxidant Patent the use of pure vitamin C , formulated at an acidic pH , and in a concentration between 10 and 20 percent. SkinCeuticals is the only skincare brand to formulate in accordance with these parameters.
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What Results Can I Expect From Skinceuticals Ce Ferulic Serum
Its a bold claim, but we would go as far as to say that weve never seen results quite like this from any other serum. In just a matter of days, dark spots and pigmentation had faded completely and there was a subtle glow to the skin that weve only ever been able to achieve with carefully considered make-up.
It even leaves an almost airbrushed look in its wake that has given us license to stop trying to scout out mattifying high-coverage non-comedogenic foundations and converted us over to more sheer, lighter coverage formulas, such as our favorite Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation. Wed even go so far as to say that in the BB cream v foundation debate, were no longer siding with the latter…
What Is Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Face Serum
While many serums put the focus on one ingredient, C E Ferulic marries three skin-loving actives in one amber bottle. âSkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is formulated with a synergistic combination of antioxidants, including 15% pure vitamin C, 1% vitamin E, and 0.5% ferulic acid,â explains Chang. âVitamin C has been shown in studies to help brighten the skin, reduce pigmentation, and stimulate collagen to help fight signs of aging. Vitamin C and E work together while ferulic acid can help stabilize them,â explains the derm.
Together, vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid are a dream team against both existing and future signs of aging. âThese antioxidants help protect the skin against free radicals that are caused by sun exposure and environmental pollution, helping to prevent and improve signs of skin aging and photodamage,â explains Chang.
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What Were Looking For
Formulation: All of our experts agree: Formulation is paramount to vitamin Cs stability. The more stable, the better, because you reap all of the glow-inducing benefits. A product must be formulated carefully to enable sufficient delivery to the skin, Dr. Kenneth Howe of the Wexler Dermatology Group explains. As for how much vitamin C should be in a given formulation, Lal recommends at least 10 percent. Less than that and you dont get the full benefit of the product, and over 20 percent, you dont get any additional benefits and are more likely to experience irritation. However, this doesnt really mean much when it comes to derivatives because, according to Lal, once the derivatives hit the skin, a 10 percent concentration is much closer to 3 or 4 percent.
Packaging: Your vitamin C should come in a dark or opaque bottle. This helps prevent oxidation, which happens when it is exposed to sunlight or isnt kept in an airtight bottle. It will be obvious that this is happening because the formula will darken in color. To prevent this, our experts recommend keeping it away from sunlight and storing it somewhere dark, along with closing the bottle tightly.
Comparison: Skinceuticals Vs Paulas Choice
Cosmetic brands should emphasize transparency and efficacy as their two key values. Unfortunately, theres a lot of hocus pocus surrounding the skincare industry, as most companies only focus on one element or nothing at all.
With this in mind, can readers trust Skinceuticals products? To help reach a solid conclusion, Im comparing this label with Paulas Choice to see which company comes out on top.
Skinceuticals:
- Offers some clean formulas on its website
Paulas Choice:
- Also offers a wide variety of skincare products
- Provides educational resources that customers can access
- Reasonable prices
- Offers vegan and cruelty-free formulas
I value that Paulas Choice has transparent marketing and reasonable prices. They also offer vegan formulas where Skinceuticals doesnt.
On top of that, Skinceuticals formulas are quite expensive, as most of their items range from $50 to $100. As a result, Paulas Choice seems to be a more cost-effective alternative when it comes to skincare, though Skinceuticals appears to be the more professional line.
If youre torn between the two, check out this Paulas Choice Review for more details.
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Celebrate Vitamin C Day With Skinceuticals
SkinCeuticals celebrates their third annual National Vitamin C Day on April 4th! We’re shining the spotlight on one of skin care’s must-have antioxidant-rich ingredients by sharing some need-to-know vitamin C tips as well as a few of our favorite products as well.
In this blog, we’ll cover these ever-important vitamin C topics:
The Results: A Visibly Smoother Brighter Complexion
I cant stress enough how much I love this product. By the end of my three-week testing period, my skin was visibly smoother, plumper, and brighter. While I didnt notice any immediate results on the first day of use, I began to notice changes in my skins texture by day threeit felt smoother and significantly more hydrated.
I have a smattering of brown spots from my time spent tanning as a teen , and these were subtly lightened over the course of three weeks. However, I expect to see stronger results with continued use.
What really sold me on this product is how it transformed my skins texture. Its the smoothest and plumpest its ever been, and the dryness and dullness I battled all winter long have completely vanished.
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