Left a bottle of C E Ferulic on my sunny bathroom counter for a month. On purpose.
If any serum can survive my neglect, it’s this one — the formula is patented, the gold standard. But does that actually mean anything?
This is the original L-ascorbic acid serum from SkinCeuticals. They claim it’s stable and effective for 72 hours post-application. I claim my bathroom is a war zone.
The Smell
Like hot dog water. No one talks about this enough.
The Feel
Leaves a faint, tacky film — that’s the protection.
The Bottle
Opaque, airless pump. Smart. But not fridge-door-proof.
Photo: Olga Thelavart / Unsplash
15% L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), 1% vitamin E, 0.5% ferulic acid. The trio is proven to boost SPF protection and neutralize free radicals.
It’s not magic — it’s chemistry. The low pH (around 3.0) makes it effective but also slightly irritating.
- L-Ascorbic Acid: The active form of C that skin can use
- Vitamin E: Stabilizes the C, repairs lipid barrier
- Ferulic Acid: Doubles the antioxidant power of C+E
- Glycerin: Hydration to offset potential dryness
Photo: Lora Seis / Unsplash
Texture is watery, absorbs in under 30 seconds. Leaves skin feeling… fortified. Not moisturized.
By week three, my morning redness was visibly calmer. The surprise? It didn’t play nice with my mineral sunscreen — pilled like crazy until I let it fully dry.
After a month in the light? Color shifted from clear to a very pale champagne. Not the dreaded rusty orange. Potency loss? Maybe 10%. Impressive.
The stability is real. It’s overpriced, smells weird, but it works and survives less-than-ideal conditions. The hype is mostly justified.