Fenty Skin vs SkinCeuticals — side by side, no bias.
Our pick
Phloretin CF
9/10 · SkinCeuticals
| Pre-Show Glow Brightening Vitamin C Serum | Phloretin CF | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Fenty Skin | SkinCeuticals |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Editor Rating | 8.1/10 | 9/10 ★ |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Texture | Lightweight serum | Lightweight watery serum |
| Finish | Brightened | Quick-absorb |
| Skin Types |
| Targets |
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| Verdict | Fenty Skin's vitamin C serum — SAP + MAP (dual stable C derivatives) + kombucha + Barbados cherry (a high-natural-vitamin-C source). The Rihanna brand's brightening hero, designed as a daily-tolerable alternative to L-AA serums. Positioned for the 'pre-show' moment of getting camera-ready skin. | 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. |
