iS Clinical vs SkinCeuticals — side by side, no bias.
Our pick
C E Ferulic
9.2/10 · SkinCeuticals
| Hydra-Cool Serum | C E Ferulic | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | iS Clinical | SkinCeuticals |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Editor Rating | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 ★ |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Texture | Cooling water serum | Thin golden serum |
| Finish | Fresh | Absorbed slightly tacky |
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| Verdict | iS Clinical's hydration-and-calming serum — sodium hyaluronate + Centella asiatica triple-acid complex (Asiaticoside + Asiatic Acid + Madecassic Acid) + pantothenic acid (B5) + a touch of menthol for the cooling sensation. The Centella triple-acid is the differentiator: most Centella products use the whole-extract; iS Clinical isolates the three active triterpenes for a clinical-strength anti-inflammatory effect. Layer over Active Serum to buffer the multi-acid sting, or use solo for reactive/irritated skin. | The benchmark vitamin C serum the entire industry measures itself against. 15% L-ascorbic acid + 1% vitamin E + 0.5% ferulic acid — the Duke University antioxidant patent that spawned a thousand dupes. $182 is painful, but the 20-year clinical dataset on photoaging reversal is unmatched. Every derm office in America has a bottle on the shelf. |
