Neutrogena vs SkinCeuticals — side by side, no bias.
Our pick
Phloretin CF
9/10 · SkinCeuticals
| Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Serum | Phloretin CF | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Neutrogena | SkinCeuticals |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Editor Rating | 7.6/10 | 9/10 ★ |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Texture | Lightweight lotion-serum | Lightweight watery serum |
| Finish | Satin | Quick-absorb |
| Skin Types |
| Targets |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
| Verdict | A legitimate beginner retinol at drugstore prices — low-irritation, micro-encapsulated, great training-wheels formula. | 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. |
