“Gio, are you aware a dupe for Skinceuticals CE Ferulic that doesn’t go dangerous inside a month?” I hear ya. Who desires to waste $166 on a serum that turns brown earlier than you’re even midway by way of it? However… you’re gonna have the identical downside with any true dupes of Skinceuticals CE Ferulic. Once I shared my private fave dupe with you (in case you were wondering, that’s Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster), a number of of you complained it goes dangerous manner too quickly, too. That’s pure Vitamin C for you. Blink and it goes dangerous.
There’s one other manner. You should utilize a Vitamin C by-product. Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum makes use of Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Magnesium Ascorbic Phosphate, two steady types of Vitamin C. It’s not a precise dupe for Skinceuticals CE Ferulic, nevertheless it’s shut sufficient. Do you have to make the change?
What Elements Do These Vitamin C Serums Have In Widespread?
VITAMIN C TO BRIGHTEN SKIN
Vitamin C is an antiaging powerhouse. Studies found that it:
- Fights the free radicals that trigger untimely wrinkles
- Brightens the complexion
- Fades darkish spots
- Boosts collagen, the protein that retains pores and skin agency and elastic
The catch? Most of those research are completed on 15% L-Ascorbic Acid, the pure type of Vitamin C. And the one Skinceuticals CE Ferulic occurs to make use of. Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate makes use of Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Magnesium Ascorbic Phosphate, two steady type of Vitamin C. TA deserves a particular point out as a result of it penetrates skin deeper than L-Ascorbic Acid. However neither form is as effective at fighting free radicals and boosting collagen.
So, why must you go for the Paula’s Alternative serum over Skinceuticals CE Ferulic? Right here’s the deal: if you would like the simplest type of Vitamin C, you shouldn’t. You must put up with Skinceuticals CE Ferulic or certainly one of its pure dupes, like Paula’s Alternative C15 Tremendous Booster.
However in case you have delicate pores and skin that may’t tolerate a excessive focus of pure Vitamin C or are merely sick and uninterested in losing cash on a serum you’ll by no means end, Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate is the following neatest thing.
Associated: Types Of Vitamin C Used In Skincare
Need to get monetary savings on skincare with out compromising on outcomes? Obtain the Skincare Dupes cheatsheet beneath for my fave dupes of high-end merchandise:
VITAMIN E AND FERULIC ACID TO BOOST SUN PROTECTION
Skinceuticals CE Ferulic and Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate use completely different types of Vitamin C. However, they each let it play with its BFFs, Vitamin E and ferulic acid. Vitamin E and ferulic acid are highly effective antioxidants in their very own proper (particularly ferulic acid: it fights THREE types of free radicals!). However when used with Vitamin C, they turn out to be unstoppable:
- They increase each other’s effectiveness (they don’t turn out to be ineffective as shortly as they’d on their very own)
- They enhance your sunscreen’s protection, serving to you struggle solar injury and untimely wrinkles
No matter Vitamin C serum you go for, be certain these two are in it, too.
Associated: Why You Should Add Ferulic Acid To Your Skincare Routine
What Else Is In These Vitamin C Serums?
NOTE: The colors point out the effectiveness of an ingredient. It’s ILLEGAL to place poisonous and dangerous components in skincare merchandise.
- Inexperienced: It’s efficient, confirmed to work, and helps the product do the very best job on your pores and skin.
- Yellow: There’s not a lot proof it really works (at the very least, but).
- Crimson: What is that this doing right here?!
SKINCEUTICALS CE FERULIC INGREDIENTS
- Water: It’s simply the bottom. Consider it because the canvas every part else is blended into. Doesn’t do a lot by itself, however with out it the formulation wouldn’t even exist.
- Ethoxydiglycol: A solvent that helps different components (like vitamin C) dissolve and unfold evenly. It’s additionally a penetration enhancer, that means it helps actives sink deeper into your pores and skin.
- Glycerin: A humectant, aka a moisture magnet. It pulls water into your pores and skin so it feels plump and hydrated.
- Propylene Glycol: One other humectant and solvent that retains issues from drying out.
- Laureth-23: An emulsifier that retains oil and water blended collectively so your serum doesn’t separate. Doesn’t do a lot for pores and skin immediately, however with out it you’d have a gloopy mess.
- Phenoxyethanol: A preservative to maintain micro organism from throwing a celebration in your bottle.
- Triethanolamine: Used to regulate the pH so the formulation really works (particularly vital with vitamin C).
- Panthenol: Additionally referred to as pro-vitamin B5. Soothing, moisturizing, helps pores and skin heal and really feel gentle. It’s like a calm-down button for offended pores and skin.
- Sodium Hyaluronate: The salt type of hyaluronic acid. Pulls in water and makes pores and skin look plump and juicy. Works in tiny quantities but when overused in a dry local weather, it could actually backfire and dehydrate.
PAULA’S CHOICE RESIST SUPER ANTIOXIDANT CONCENTRATE
- Cyclopentasiloxane: A light-weight silicone that makes merchandise unfold like silk. It offers that clean, slip really feel and helps fill in high quality strains quickly. Often secure, although some individuals don’t love silicones as a result of they will really feel like a movie on the pores and skin.
- Dimethicone: One other silicone, thicker than cyclopentasiloxane. It locks in hydration, smooths texture, and retains pores and skin feeling gentle. Some individuals dislike the occlusive really feel.
- Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5: A peptide that tells your pores and skin to make extra collagen. Helps with firmness and smoothness over time. The one draw back is that proof of its effectiveness solely comes from the producer.
- Ceramide NP: A skin-identical lipid that strengthens your barrier. Consider it because the glue that retains your pores and skin cells caught collectively and hydrated. Nice for dry or delicate pores and skin.
- Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10): An antioxidant your physique naturally makes, however ranges drop with age. Helps defend pores and skin in opposition to environmental injury and will clean out high quality strains.
- Thioctic Acid (Alpha Lipoic Acid): A robust antioxidant that works inside and out of doors cells. Could make pores and skin extra radiant however generally causes tingling or gentle irritation in delicate varieties.
- Beta-Glucan: A soothing, hydrating agent that calms redness and irritation. Additionally helps pores and skin maintain onto water.
- Superoxide Dismutase: A powerhouse antioxidant enzyme that neutralizes one of many nastiest free radicals (superoxide). Protects pores and skin from stress and getting old.
- Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG): The lively compound in inexperienced tea. Robust antioxidant, calming, and will assist with oil management and redness.
- Ergothioneine: An amino acid-derived antioxidant that helps shield pores and skin cells and works with different antioxidants to struggle injury.
- Glutathione: One other pure antioxidant in your physique. Helps brightening and safety in opposition to free radicals.
- Xanthophylls: Plant pigments (assume leafy greens) with antioxidant exercise. Assist neutralize injury from UV publicity.
- Glycine Soja Seed Extract (Soybean Extract): Wealthy in antioxidants and phytoestrogens. Will help even out pores and skin tone and help barrier well being.
- Glycerin: Humectant that pulls water into pores and skin, preserving it plump and gentle. Tremendous dependable, works for all pores and skin varieties.
- Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract (Bearberry Extract): Accommodates arbutin, a pure skin-brightener that may fade darkish spots.
- Lupinus Albus Seed Extract (White Lupin Extract): Plant extract with antioxidant advantages and potential skin-firming results.
- Curcuma Longa Root Extract (Turmeric Extract): Antioxidant and anti inflammatory powerhouse. Helps with brightness and calming redness. Can stain yellow if concentrated.
- Elaeis Guineensis Oil (Palm Oil): An emollient that softens and moisturizes pores and skin. Additionally a supply of vitamin E. Heavier texture, so not everybody with oily pores and skin will like it.
- Phenoxyethanol: The preservative that retains the entire formulation from turning right into a micro organism playground.
WHICH FORMULA IS BETTER?
Skinceuticals CE Ferulic retains it fundamental: Nutritional vitamins C + E + ferulic acid with a sprinkle of
hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate skin (it really works by attracting moisture from the air into the pores and skin).
Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate has no hyaluronic acid. As a substitute, it’s loaded to the brim with antioxidants. Inexperienced tea. Ubiquinone. Superoxide dismutase. You point out it, it’s there. All collectively they patrol the physique searching for free radicals to destroy earlier than they may give you wrinkle and darkish spots.
What does this implies? Nicely, whereas Skinceuticals CE Ferulic has sufficient L-Ascorbic Acid to spice up collagen and reverse some photograph injury, Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate is all about stopping new wrinkles from forming within the first place.
Associated: Common Antioxidants Used In Skincare Products
What’s The Texture Like?
- SkinCeuticals feels runny, nearly watery, and while you first put it on there’s this bizarre sticky movie that makes you assume, “oh no, that is going to remain cheesy endlessly.” However give it a minute and it soaks in, so you’ll be able to throw on sunscreen or make-up with out it balling up.
- Paula’s Alternative is the other – thick, silky, nearly greasy at first. It’s that heavy silicone slip that some individuals love as a result of it makes pores and skin really feel immediately clean, however when you’ve bought oily pores and skin it could actually really feel like a layer sitting on high of your face as an alternative of disappearing.
What’s The Perfume Like?
Neither of those serums has added perfume, however they undoubtedly don’t odor the identical. SkinCeuticals has that notorious “sizzling canine water” scent that vitamin C followers joke about – not precisely luxurious, nevertheless it fades shortly. Paula’s Alternative doesn’t actually odor of a lot in any respect. It’s extra impartial, which is smart for the reason that formulation leans on antioxidants that don’t have robust odors.
What’s The Packaging Like?
- SkinCeuticals sticks with a darkish amber glass dropper bottle, which is smart as a result of pure vitamin C is tremendous unstable and wishes that additional safety from gentle and air. The draw back? Each time you open the dropper, oxygen sneaks in, so that you’ve bought to make use of it up pretty shortly earlier than it turns brown.
- Paula’s Alternative takes a extra sensible route with a pump bottle. It’s opaque, air-tight, and manner much less messy. You don’t have to fret about spillage or contamination, and the antioxidants inside keep steady for longer.
How To Use Them
SKINCEUTICALS CE FERULIC
Use it within the morning, proper after cleaning and earlier than moisturizer or sunscreen. Put 4-5 drops in your palm, press it into your pores and skin (don’t waste time rubbing it between your palms first or it simply sinks into your fingers). Let it sit for a minute as a result of it could actually really feel sticky at first, then go in with moisturizer and SPF. That’s it – vitamin C is a morning factor as a result of it makes your sunscreen work more durable in opposition to UV injury.
PAULA’S CHOICE RESIST SUPER ANTIOXIDANT CONCENTRATE
This one’s extra versatile. You should utilize it morning or evening, because it’s steady and loaded with antioxidants. It’s thicker, so when you’re layering, put it on after lighter serums however earlier than your moisturizer. One small pump is sufficient – it spreads simply due to the silicones. Should you’ve bought oily pores and skin, you’ll most likely desire it at evening so that you don’t really feel greasy through the day.
Which Of The Two Ought to You Go For?
Go along with Skinceuticals CE Ferulic if:
- You’re critical about anti-aging. It’s essentially the most highly effective of the 2.
- You wish to brighten pores and skin a little bit quicker. Once more, it does the job higher than derivatives.
Go along with Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum if:
- You have got delicate pores and skin that may’t tolerate L-Ascorbic Acid.
- You have got acne-prone pores and skin (L-Ascorbic Acid could cause breakouts).
- You need a Vitamin C serum that lasts for months.
Associated: Can You Use A Vitamin C Serum If You Have Sensitive Skin?
Availability
Skinceuticals CE Ferulic: $185.00 at Dermstore, Face The Future, Look Fantastic, and Skinceuticals
Paula’s Alternative Resist Tremendous Antioxidant Focus Serum: $49.00 at Paula’s Choice
Is Paula’s Alternative Resist Tremendous Antioxidant Focus Serum A Dupe For Skinceuticals CE Ferulic?
Nope. Paula’s Choice Resist Antioxidant Concentrate Serum incorporates much less efficient types of Vitamin C. Whereas Skinceuticals treats photograph injury, Paula’s Alternative can solely stop it. However when you’re searching for a gentler CEF various on your delicate pores and skin otherwise you’re bored with losing your hard-earned money on a serum you’ll be able to’t end, Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum could also be definitely worth the trade-off.
Extra Dupes For Skinceuticals CE Ferulic:
Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Elements
Water, Ethoxydiglycol, Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Laureth-23, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Triethanolamine, Ferulic Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Paula’s Alternative Tremendous Antioxidant Focus Serum Elements
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone (hydrations/suspending brokers), Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (vitamin c/antioxidant), Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 (skin-restoring ingredient), Ceramide NP, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol (vitamin e/antioxidant), Ubiquinone (coenzyme q10/antioxidant), Thioctic Acid (alpha lipoic acid/antioxidant), Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin e/antioxidant), Magnesium Ascorbyl, Phosphate ( vitamin c/antioxidant), Ferulic Acid (antioxidant), Beta-Glucan (skin-soothing), Superoxide Dismutase (antioxidant), Epigallocatechin Gallate (antioxidant), Ergothioneine (antioxidant), Glutathione (antioxidant), Xanthophylls (antioxidant), Glycine Soja Seed Extract (soybean extract/antioxidant), Glycerin (hydration/pores and skin replenishing), Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract (bearberry extract/skin-soothing), Lupinus Albus Seed Extract (white lupin extract/antioxidant), Curcuma Longa Root Extract (turmeric extract/antioxidant), Elaeis Guineensis Oil (palm oil/emollient), Phenoxyethanol (preservative)

