La Mer vs SkinCeuticals — side by side, no bias.
Our pick
Phloretin CF
9/10 · SkinCeuticals
| The Concentrate | Phloretin CF | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | La Mer | SkinCeuticals |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Editor Rating | 8/10 | 9/10 ★ |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Texture | Lightweight watery serum | Lightweight watery serum |
| Finish | Soothed, calmed, prepped | Quick-absorb |
| Skin Types |
| Targets |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Verdict | La Mer's most concentrated Miracle Broth product — designed as a recovery serum for post-procedure, post-flare, or chronically reactive skin. At 5x the Miracle Broth concentration of the Crème de la Mer, this is theoretically the most intense version of La Mer's signature ferment. Used by aestheticians and dermatologists post-laser as a 'comfort' application; favored by celebrities pre-event for the 'recovery' use case. Whether it works dramatically better than a $50 ferment serum is debatable; the experience and ritual are genuine. | 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. |
