Side-by-side comparison

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic vs SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF

Both are serums built on the same key active: Vitamin C. That makes them genuine alternatives, so price, texture and the supporting ingredients decide it.

2Shared hero actives
SkinCeuticals
C E Ferulic
SerumLuxuryMorning only
Dark SpotsAgingDullnessprotectSensitive skinDamaged barrier

The reference-standard antioxidant serum — 15% L-ascorbic acid, 1% vitamin E, 0.5% ferulic acid, formulated below pH 3.5 (the L-ascorbic acid standard from Pinnell's Duke University research). Demonstrably increases photoprotection when layered under SPF. Expensive, but what every other 'CEF dupe' is trying to be.

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SkinCeuticals
Phloretin CF
SerumLuxuryMorning only
Photoaging PreventionDark SpotsDullness

A daytime antioxidant serum with 10% vitamin C, phloretin and ferulic acid, the oily/combination-skin sibling to C E Ferulic. Strong environmental defence and tone support; a luxury-priced clinical antioxidant.

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The verdict

Which should you choose?

Both formulas lean on Vitamin C, so for the ingredient doing the work they're close alternatives. C E Ferulic is the better fit for signs of aging and antioxidant protection; Phloretin CF for preventing sun damage. Both sit in the Luxury price tier.

The overlap

What they share

These hero actives appear in both formulas:

Vitamin CFerulic Acid
The formulation

Ingredient stacks, side by side

C E Ferulic — top of the list

  • Aqua / Water~50–80%
  • Ethoxydiglycol~5–25%
  • L-Ascorbic Acid15%
  • Propylene Glycol~2–6%
  • Glycerin~1.5–4%
  • Laureth-23~1–2%
  • Tocopherol1%
  • Ferulic Acid0.5%

Phloretin CF — top of the list

  • Aqua~50–80%
  • Ascorbic Acid~5–25%
  • Propylene Glycol~3–10%
  • Phloretin~2–6%
  • Ferulic Acid~1.5–4%

● marks ingredients that appear near the top of both lists. Percentages are positional estimates from INCI order, not disclosed doses.

At a glance

The specs

C E FerulicPhloretin CF
CategorySerumSerum
Price tierLuxuryLuxury
Best forDark Spots, Aging, DullnessPhotoaging Prevention, Dark Spots, Dullness
Usage notesMorning onlyMorning only
Shared hero activesVitamin C and Ferulic Acid
Questions

Common questions

Is the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic or the SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF better?
Neither is clearly better on ingredients, since both rely on Vitamin C. Choose on price, texture and how your skin responds to the rest of the formula.
What's the difference between the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic and the SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF?
C E Ferulic's hero actives are Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid. Phloretin CF's are Vitamin C, Phloretin and Ferulic Acid.
Are the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic and SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF dupes for each other?
Yes, on the ingredient that matters. Both are built around Vitamin C, though concentrations, texture and the supporting ingredients can still differ.
Can I use the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic and SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF together?
Usually, yes. Apply the thinner texture first, then the thicker one, and patch-test when introducing anything new.
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2 shared hero actives

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