La Mer vs SkinCeuticals — side by side, no bias.
Our pick
Phloretin CF
9/10 · SkinCeuticals
| The Renewal Oil | Phloretin CF | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | La Mer | SkinCeuticals |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Editor Rating | 8/10 | 9/10 ★ |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Texture | Luxurious, lightweight oil | Lightweight watery serum |
| Finish | Radiant, nourished | Quick-absorb |
| Skin Types |
| Targets |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
| Verdict | La Mer's Renewal Oil at $295 is the ultra-luxury facial oil — the brand's Miracle Broth algae ferment (fermented sea kelp, their proprietary technology) in a squalane and botanical oil base. La Mer's pricing is aspirational by design, but the 90-day bio-fermentation process they use for the algae extract is genuinely unique. Whether the fermented sea kelp justifies $295 is a personal calculus, but the formula's moisturising performance is undeniably excellent. | 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. |
