Drunk Elephant vs SkinCeuticals — side by side, no bias.
Our pick
Phloretin CF
9/10 · SkinCeuticals
| B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum | Phloretin CF | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Drunk Elephant | SkinCeuticals |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Editor Rating | 8.4/10 | 9/10 ★ |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Texture | Watery serum | Lightweight watery serum |
| Finish | Plumped, dewy | Quick-absorb |
| Skin Types |
| Targets |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Verdict | The hyaluronic acid + B5 (panthenol) serum that Drunk Elephant builds the rest of its 'biocompatible' line around. Lighter than SkinCeuticals B5 Gel, slightly more elegant texture, includes pro-vitamin B5 plus pineapple/orange/lemon AHAs at low concentration for mild brightening. The DE 'smoothie' philosophy — mix it with their other products in your palm before applying — is a marketing fiction; just layer it like any HA serum. Genuinely good performance, just expensive for the formulation density. | 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. |
