Naturium vs SkinCeuticals — side by side, no bias.
Our pick
Phloretin CF
9/10 · SkinCeuticals
| Vitamin C Complex Serum | Phloretin CF | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Naturium | SkinCeuticals |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Editor Rating | 8.3/10 | 9/10 ★ |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Texture | Lightweight serum | Lightweight watery serum |
| Finish | Brightened, smoothed | Quick-absorb |
| Skin Types | ||
| Targets |
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| Cons |
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| Verdict | Naturium's flagship vitamin C serum — sodium ascorbyl phosphate + ascorbic acid + glutathione + Australian native fruit antioxidants (Kakadu plum, Davidson plum, Illawarra plum). The dual-form vitamin C approach (stable derivative + free L-AA) splits the difference between The Ordinary's harshness and Klairs' gentleness. Naturium's positioning of 'science meets nature' lands cleanly here — the formulation is genuinely thoughtful for a sub-$25 D2C product. | 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. |
