I’ve been using this serum for about 2 years now. You need less than 5 drops in your hand and you just rub your hands together to warm it up and pat it into your face. It is a little sticky and doesn’t have much of a smell. I find the smell to be stronger throughout the day if you randomly get a whiff of it or if it’s still on your hands. But overall, barely has a scent. I use it in the morning and I do like it. As far as results, I think my face looks brighter and more evened out. I got a little inconsistent with my second bottle because it is on the pricey side (but good quality). I can’t remember how long it lasts but the price tempts you to to skip it for one day or swap out for another serum to make it last longer. The reason for it being so expensive is ... MoreI’ve been using this serum for about 2 years now. You need less than 5 drops in your hand and you just rub your hands together to warm it up and pat it into your face. It is a little sticky and doesn’t have much of a smell. I find the smell to be stronger throughout the day if you randomly get a whiff of it or if it’s still on your hands. But overall, barely has a scent. I use it in the morning and I do like it. As far as results, I think my face looks brighter and more evened out. I got a little inconsistent with my second bottle because it is on the pricey side (but good quality). I can’t remember how long it lasts but the price tempts you to to skip it for one day or swap out for another serum to make it last longer. The reason for it being so expensive is because the formulated ingredients have a patent. They are very secret about how much hyaluronic acid is in their product. The patent has to do with the way the vitamin C is absorbed leading it to be more effective. The less hyaluronic acid means less water which means less oxidation of vitamin C. Basically, they found a way to optimize the potency, effectiveness, and absorption. That is why I am always leading towards this product. That’s also why other products usually don’t measure up. BUT I did find an article that lists some dupes/other serums with similar ingredients. The only difference is the amount of each ingredient due to avoiding the patent. Disclaimer: I have not tried the two serums in the article yet so I can’t give a personal opinion. Here is the dupe basics :) (this was thought to be the closest match) DUPE: Dr. Brenner’s Vitamin C serum Can be bought on Amazon for 18.99 *Warning* for sensitive skin if you want to try or have tried the skin ceuticals. This dupe has more vitamin C and more hyaluronic acid which can absorb into the skin quicker and easier. Might not be good for sensitive skin.

I seriously wish I had more! This product is slowly but surely reversing the dark marks on my skin that were from previous acne breakouts. It's such a heartbreak when you have post acne marks. Since these dark marks are stubborn and won't go away it's a daily reminder of your acne. Please be patient and use this product for over a month you won't be disappointed. Vitamin C repairs, revitalizes, and rejuvenates your skin but it's really hard to stabilize the ingredient. Often times the Vitamin C is unintentionally harmed when it's packaged inefficiently or stored wrong. This poor maintenance weakens the strength of the Vitamin C until it's ineffective. The problem is that people who use this product are unaware of this and entirely blame the Vitamin C as a bad ... MoreI seriously wish I had more! This product is slowly but surely reversing the dark marks on my skin that were from previous acne breakouts. It's such a heartbreak when you have post acne marks. Since these dark marks are stubborn and won't go away it's a daily reminder of your acne. Please be patient and use this product for over a month you won't be disappointed. Vitamin C repairs, revitalizes, and rejuvenates your skin but it's really hard to stabilize the ingredient. Often times the Vitamin C is unintentionally harmed when it's packaged inefficiently or stored wrong. This poor maintenance weakens the strength of the Vitamin C until it's ineffective. The problem is that people who use this product are unaware of this and entirely blame the Vitamin C as a bad ingredient instead of how the product was taken care of. Fortunately, the brand Skinceuticals has made their C E Ferulic Serum very meticulously and the results from people like me prove it. Please take care of your Vitamin C, store it in a dark cool area. Skinceuticals made their product with a dark bottle which provides to continuously keeps the Vitamin C stabilized.

SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic has become a point of my near-obsession, and rightfully so. Like other beauty fanatics, I've searched the internet for a less expensive version that provides the same results: firmer and smoother skin, reduced signs of aging and sun damage, and an overall brighter complexion. The pricing of SkinCeuticals’ CE Ferulic reflects years of research leading to the final formulation. Consider this: Many top-tier products come with an A-list price tag (i.e., Crème de la Mer, La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream, and the like). Moreover, without academic research and peer-to-peer review, it's challenging to predict how your skin will interact with or absorb an active ingredient. Given the volatile, reactive nature of vitamin C (hence why serums ... MoreSkinCeuticals CE Ferulic has become a point of my near-obsession, and rightfully so. Like other beauty fanatics, I've searched the internet for a less expensive version that provides the same results: firmer and smoother skin, reduced signs of aging and sun damage, and an overall brighter complexion. The pricing of SkinCeuticals’ CE Ferulic reflects years of research leading to the final formulation. Consider this: Many top-tier products come with an A-list price tag (i.e., Crème de la Mer, La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream, and the like). Moreover, without academic research and peer-to-peer review, it's challenging to predict how your skin will interact with or absorb an active ingredient. Given the volatile, reactive nature of vitamin C (hence why serums containing Vitamin C are often packaged in a dark brown bottle, which helps protect the product from oxidizing), don't trust your skin to other dupes. Others may perform similarly to SkinCeuticals’ serums, but there’s the issue of safety and reliability. You may be able to find other serums that provide results that are similar to (but not better than) SkinCeuticals’ CE Ferulic at a fraction of the price, but it’ll come with the risk of causing a reaction.

Awful smell, hard to layer over, use too much

I'd been using another C/E serum and my dermatologist suggested I change to this one as the "gold standard". I was hesitant with the price but assured it was worth it. I haven't been pleased so far. 1. the smell is AWFUL. It does fade after it dries on your face but at the slightest bit of moisture (sweat, showering) it comes back in full force. Now my shirts and pillow cases smell like it.2. Using the recommended amount of 4-5 drops doesn't nearly cover my face, neck, and décolletage.3. It's also very hard to actually use. It's impossible to dispense the drops directly onto your face/neck. I'm not going to tilt my head back and leave it there to apply this so it doesn't immediately run down my face. Thus I have to put the drops on my hand. Between putting them ... MoreI'd been using another C/E serum and my dermatologist suggested I change to this one as the "gold standard". I was hesitant with the price but assured it was worth it. I haven't been pleased so far. 1. the smell is AWFUL. It does fade after it dries on your face but at the slightest bit of moisture (sweat, showering) it comes back in full force. Now my shirts and pillow cases smell like it.2. Using the recommended amount of 4-5 drops doesn't nearly cover my face, neck, and décolletage.3. It's also very hard to actually use. It's impossible to dispense the drops directly onto your face/neck. I'm not going to tilt my head back and leave it there to apply this so it doesn't immediately run down my face. Thus I have to put the drops on my hand. Between putting them on my hand first and needing more than 4-5 drops even if I do put them directly on my face/neck, I use closer to 10 drops each time.4. Despite dispensing up to 10 drops each time, I'm putting the bare minimum on my skin, pressing it in thoroughly, and letting it dry/absorb completely for several minutes. Sometimes when I then go to put my moisturizer on, it creates a white film with the C E Ferulic serum that takes a significantly longer time to try to rub into my skin.5. Not seeing a noticeable difference. I realize these things take time but I've been using this for 3 weeks now and haven't noticed any difference in my skin firmness, texture, or fine lines and wrinkles.

Best product I've use in my life

If I could only choose one skincare product it would be this serum. I advice everyone, male and female, to do the same. I began using it around 23 years old. Currently I’m 44 and continue to achieve excellent results. It’s worth its high price because it has always been sold on an amber glass bottle; the product is fully absorbed in seconds, due to its completely liquid texture it lasts many months, and its effectiveness is consistent under any weather/life-season. Regardless of the climate, if I’ve been sick or not, younger or older I’ve never had any adverse skin reactions. Decades ago, when I first read about the serum, I was impressed by how it was developed and what it can do for skin. Science has evolved immensely and many companies have launched products that ... MoreIf I could only choose one skincare product it would be this serum. I advice everyone, male and female, to do the same. I began using it around 23 years old. Currently I’m 44 and continue to achieve excellent results. It’s worth its high price because it has always been sold on an amber glass bottle; the product is fully absorbed in seconds, due to its completely liquid texture it lasts many months, and its effectiveness is consistent under any weather/life-season. Regardless of the climate, if I’ve been sick or not, younger or older I’ve never had any adverse skin reactions. Decades ago, when I first read about the serum, I was impressed by how it was developed and what it can do for skin. Science has evolved immensely and many companies have launched products that claim better results. I’ve purchased and tried a lot of said products, however, not a single one has been able to do the same as the Skinceuticals serum. I love how it leaves my skin with a healthy glow that is not sticky. It’s important to say that it can stain surfaces and clothing; be very careful to avoid little drops. It has an intense smell that dissipates once you apply it. Nevertheless, it’s a strong smell similar to like “bacon” or smoked meat. I will continue to buy it as long as I can and the ingredients stay the same.

Hall of Fame

For various reasons I've never been one to write reviews. I love to discuss and share skincare concerns and products recommendations with anyone willing but, rarely take the time to write it down. I'm a Virgo so can't help but research my purchases and I find customer reviews an invaluable part of the process. It's high time I give back and I can't think of more deserving product than SkinCentential's CE ferulic acid. It delivers unparalleled results short of injectables with consistent use. It's literally one of three things I can't happily live without (retin A and sunscreen the other two if you're curious). It's a single product that addresses the broad and multi-faceted concerns of mature skin and protects against further environmental damage. I'm fair with acne ... MoreFor various reasons I've never been one to write reviews. I love to discuss and share skincare concerns and products recommendations with anyone willing but, rarely take the time to write it down. I'm a Virgo so can't help but research my purchases and I find customer reviews an invaluable part of the process. It's high time I give back and I can't think of more deserving product than SkinCentential's CE ferulic acid. It delivers unparalleled results short of injectables with consistent use. It's literally one of three things I can't happily live without (retin A and sunscreen the other two if you're curious). It's a single product that addresses the broad and multi-faceted concerns of mature skin and protects against further environmental damage. I'm fair with acne prone, sensitive skin so that's a big ask but undeniably delivered without leaving a trace of fragrance, weight or residue that pills with other products and/or makeup. Hall of Fame. Note: For clarification, I'm speaking in terms of added perfume. I'm very sensitive. I'll have a migraine & hives before making it through a fragrance department so, I'll never forget the reviews calling out the smell as intolerable. Almost passed on it but thankfully the benefits justified a closer look regardless of smell. So, before someone has a hissy fit, it does have a scent. However, I'd describe it as generic, medicinal and hardly intolerable. It wouldn't have registered with me at all had I not seen the comment. Not to mention, all scent dissipates almost instantly. If it smells like anything, it's a band aid for a second if that makes sense. Trust me. Worth every penny.

Just Okay

I've been using this every day now for several weeks and I am disappointed to say I don't love the results. There's some good and bad to this product for me.Likes - I appreciate that the antioxidants are likely helping my skin in ways that can't be seen directly or right away necessarily. I know they're helping to provide extra protection, which I love. I also love that it only takes 4-5 drops to cover your whole face, meaning this product should last a pretty decent time.Dislikes - The smell. I'm pretty used to it after a few weeks, but it is really strong and unpleasant. The first few days it was so strong and lingered for so long! Secondly, this product makes my face way too shiny, and not in a good way. I've tried using less but it's still noticeable. It ... MoreI've been using this every day now for several weeks and I am disappointed to say I don't love the results. There's some good and bad to this product for me.Likes - I appreciate that the antioxidants are likely helping my skin in ways that can't be seen directly or right away necessarily. I know they're helping to provide extra protection, which I love. I also love that it only takes 4-5 drops to cover your whole face, meaning this product should last a pretty decent time.Dislikes - The smell. I'm pretty used to it after a few weeks, but it is really strong and unpleasant. The first few days it was so strong and lingered for so long! Secondly, this product makes my face way too shiny, and not in a good way. I've tried using less but it's still noticeable. It diminishes after several hours thankfully, but it makes my skin look greasy or oily right after applying. The shine appears even before I apply moisturizer, so I know it's this product. I am also unsure if this product is what has caused my to have minor breakouts on my forehead and cheeks, but I almost never break out and have been while using this product. Will wait and see if it persists or maybe if something else might have contributed.Final verdict is that I'll finish this one off, but don't intend to re-purchase. I've tried other serums that contain many or most of the same key ingredients (Vitamin E, C, Ferulic Acid) that I enjoyed much more than this. For me, sadly, it wasn't worth the hype, especially since they recently raised the price by quite a bit.By the way, I keep mine in the fridge and so far have not experienced any issues with oxidization. Not sure it's necessary, but my bathroom does get pretty warm so don't want to risk it.

Laureth-23 makes this not so great for my aging, acne prone skin.

I really, really wanted to love this product, but simply could not deal with the clogged pores and breakouts it caused. I know this is considered the “gold standard”, and I’m happy this works for so many people. Sadly, I am not one of them. I’ve used 3 bottles of CE over the years, always hoping my skin will “adjust”, but it never did. I’ve since read enough reviews and customers feedback to understand this is not the appropriate formula for my aging, acne prone skin. A lot of people attribute the vitamin E in this product to what causes breakouts, but it’s actually the Laureth 23. I had the same issue with drunk elephant, totally clogged my pores. If you use a resource like a product ingredient checker on acne clinic or something along those lines, Laureth 23 is a ... MoreI really, really wanted to love this product, but simply could not deal with the clogged pores and breakouts it caused. I know this is considered the “gold standard”, and I’m happy this works for so many people. Sadly, I am not one of them. I’ve used 3 bottles of CE over the years, always hoping my skin will “adjust”, but it never did. I’ve since read enough reviews and customers feedback to understand this is not the appropriate formula for my aging, acne prone skin. A lot of people attribute the vitamin E in this product to what causes breakouts, but it’s actually the Laureth 23. I had the same issue with drunk elephant, totally clogged my pores. If you use a resource like a product ingredient checker on acne clinic or something along those lines, Laureth 23 is a big no-no. I’ve noticed it’s in several SkinCeuticals formulas-the Silymarin, for instance, is MARKETED toward acne prone, oily skin, yet contains a well-known comedogenic ingredient. SkinCeuticals formulas are usually pretty to the points. If you’re paying for serum that has five ingredients, and Laura 23 is the 3rd or 4th listed, this is not good news. It’s important to remember that non-comedogenic is ultimately just something that can be put on packaging. There is no FDA standard or regulation to uphold that. A product can be oil free and claim to be non-comedogenic, but like so many other product claims, it’s just words. Everyone’s skin is different. You might do well to try the product for yourself and be fine; you also might badly break out. A thing you CAN rely on amidst a sea of product claims is the ingredients listed. Laureth 23 is a huge red flag for me. I have never used a single product containing it that has not broken me out, there is never a happy ending. Adding Laureth 23 to otherwise good formulas makes absolutely no sense to me. It’s a texture enhancing ingredient, not an active, and there are so many others out there that could be used alternately. It’s a little offensive at this point, finding expensive, top of the line products that claim to be safe for acne prone skin, listing Laureth as an ingredient. So, proceed with caution if your aging skin is acne prone. Not wanting to be totally left out of the SkinCeuticals game, I’ve since switched to Phloretin CF, and am happy to report it does not clog pores. My only complaint with Phloretin is it’s “weaker”. I want as much vitamin C as possible! I don’t wanna have to choose between anti-aging and (truly) non-acnegenic. The Phloretin seems to be touted as more as a discoloration aid, not so much fine lines and wrinkles as the CE ferulic is. I think it’s a good product. Not the most amazing, but at least you’re getting some vitamin C without it causing breakouts. Overall, SkinCeuticals is merely decent, imo. Some products work nicely for a lot of people, others are willing to pay the $, but ultimately switch to something else after encountering pricey formulas that are problematic. I wonder how much of the raves are over the IDEA of a wonder product, one of semi-exclusivity due to price, versus being a truly stellar product. Additionally, at this price point, I do not understand for the life of me why they are still using those wide mouth bottles with the big, clunky glass droppers. I’d LOVE to see them introduce more formulations that have airless pump dispensers. You’re paying a lot of money for this product- it’s a worthwhile investment, and yes, you want to use vitamin C as quickly as possible, but an airless pump just seems so much smarter! So basically, the CE did not work for me at all. It broke me out so badly that I had to discontinue use. You can have the most expensive product out there making big claims, marketed in such a way that it looks like it’s “scientific”, and based on the stamp of approval from dermatologists, but if it’s going to cause adverse reactions in your skin, you’re not going to continue using it. I’d love to see a version of CE that does not contain the known comedogenic ingredient Laureth 23. If SkinCeuticals were to offer that- and an airless pump dispenser-I’d purchase in an instant!

So effective

If you are looking for a delightful experience when using your serums, this product may not be for you: it has an unpleasant odor like a fishy, metallic smell and it leaves your skin feeling sticky. That being said, it is entirely worth it for me to tolerate those aspects and pay the steep price for the therapeutic benefits. I have fair skin with lots of freckles, as well as a few sun spots and mild sun damage. I am a physician and learned about this product through a dermatologist colleague. I read the studies: clinical trials clearly demonstrated an objective decrease in oxidative stress when this product is applied before exposure to environmental stressors. I am 34 and this serum is the most important anti-aging product in my regimen. If I know I’ll be indoors ... MoreIf you are looking for a delightful experience when using your serums, this product may not be for you: it has an unpleasant odor like a fishy, metallic smell and it leaves your skin feeling sticky. That being said, it is entirely worth it for me to tolerate those aspects and pay the steep price for the therapeutic benefits. I have fair skin with lots of freckles, as well as a few sun spots and mild sun damage. I am a physician and learned about this product through a dermatologist colleague. I read the studies: clinical trials clearly demonstrated an objective decrease in oxidative stress when this product is applied before exposure to environmental stressors. I am 34 and this serum is the most important anti-aging product in my regimen. If I know I’ll be indoors all day, such as when I’m on night shift, I may not use it because it’s so expensive. But if I’m going to be outside at all, even just driving in the car for 15 minutes, I apply it to my face, chest, and the backs of my hands. It is truely a medical-grade antioxidant for your skin. If it’s in your budget, I can’t recommend it enough. (Side note, if this is totally out of your price range, check out the ferulic acid serum from The Ordinary which could be paired with a vitamin C serums of your choice for a similar effect, though not quite as effective without the Vitamin E which aids in the uptake of the other two.)

Yes, SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic really is this good!

I had heard about SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic from friends, and remained very skeptical, thinking: right, right, sure, sure. Their skin always looked fresh and healthy. But, still I didn't buy the product. Then, I read a laugh out loud review online by a dermatologist, Christina Haverstock, who said that “They will pry Skinceuticals CE Ferulic from my cold, dead hands.” Okay, okay, I'll try it. So, I was given a bottle, and low and behold, it worked wonders. My mature, patchy skin began to look really actually very good. Then, I ran out. I realized that C E Ferulic had actually been a game changer for my skin. My skin was smoother, softer, spots were disappearing (I had planned to have one removed but the serum took care of that), and my botox lasted much longer. So, ... MoreI had heard about SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic from friends, and remained very skeptical, thinking: right, right, sure, sure. Their skin always looked fresh and healthy. But, still I didn't buy the product. Then, I read a laugh out loud review online by a dermatologist, Christina Haverstock, who said that “They will pry Skinceuticals CE Ferulic from my cold, dead hands.” Okay, okay, I'll try it. So, I was given a bottle, and low and behold, it worked wonders. My mature, patchy skin began to look really actually very good. Then, I ran out. I realized that C E Ferulic had actually been a game changer for my skin. My skin was smoother, softer, spots were disappearing (I had planned to have one removed but the serum took care of that), and my botox lasted much longer. So, I decided to try a LovelySkin order after a long absent when they sent me a note in the mail (smart move on their part). I ordered a bottle of C E Ferulic on discount (yay!), ordered another SkinCeuticals product (I couldn't help it), and got other samples as well (temptation); the products arrived quickly and well packaged. This is a long review to say that I don't use very many products, but this one serum, C E Ferulic, is a product that truly makes a difference for me. I actually get comments about how nice my skin looks, and that's really something when one is over 70. Because of this, I will not lapse again. I often think that many products maybe interchangeable, but C E Ferulic is not. For me, there is nothing else as effective.