Mario Badescu vs SkinCeuticals — side by side, no bias.
Our pick
Phloretin CF
9/10 · SkinCeuticals
| Vitamin C Serum | Phloretin CF | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Mario Badescu | SkinCeuticals |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Editor Rating | 8/10 | 9/10 ★ |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Texture | Lightweight serum | Lightweight watery serum |
| Finish | Bright, smooth | Quick-absorb |
| Skin Types |
| Targets |
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| Cons |
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| Verdict | Mario Badescu's vitamin C uses L-ascorbic acid (the gold standard) stabilised with ferulic acid — the same synergy that made SkinCeuticals' CE Ferulic legendary, at less than half the price. Hyaluronic acid and hydrolyzed collagen provide hydration and plumping. The NYC skincare institution that's been around since 1967 proves you don't need $166 to get an effective CE Ferulic combination. The formula will oxidise faster than stabilised derivatives — store it properly and use it within 3 months. | 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. |
