Augustinus Bader vs SkinCeuticals — side by side, no bias.
Our pick
Phloretin CF
9/10 · SkinCeuticals
| The Serum | Phloretin CF | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Augustinus Bader | SkinCeuticals |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Editor Rating | 8.5/10 | 9/10 ★ |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Texture | Lightweight serum | Lightweight watery serum |
| Finish | Velvet | Quick-absorb |
| Skin Types |
| Targets |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
| Verdict | Augustinus Bader's daily-routine serum — the entry point to the brand for clients who want the TFC8 technology in a layered routine rather than committed to The Cream alone. Niacinamide + sodium hyaluronate (two molecular weights) + squalane + the TFC8 peptide complex in a lightweight serum texture that layers well under The Cream or The Rich Cream. $330 for 30ml is genuine prestige pricing — the formulation is dense, but the cost-per-use is meaningful. | The CE Ferulic for combination/oily skin. Phloretin CF replaces tocopherol with phloretin (an apple-derived antioxidant), keeping the 10% L-ascorbic acid + 0.5% ferulic acid backbone but with a lighter, less oil-leaning texture. Better for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin where CE Ferulic feels heavy. Same antioxidant network in the basket — vitamin C primary, phloretin secondary, ferulic stabilising — and the same 4 a.m. orange-mid-tone shift that signals oxidation when it's gone too far. Not cheaper than CE Ferulic but worth it if your skin pushes back against the original. |
