SkinCeuticals vs The Ordinary — side by side, no bias.
Our pick
C E Ferulic
9.2/10 · SkinCeuticals
| C E Ferulic | Retinol 0.5% in Squalane | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | SkinCeuticals | The Ordinary |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Editor Rating | 9.2/10 ★ | 8.3/10 |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Texture | Thin golden serum | Lightweight oil |
| Finish | Absorbed slightly tacky | Satiny |
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| Verdict | The benchmark vitamin C serum the entire industry measures itself against. 15% L-ascorbic acid + 1% vitamin E + 0.5% ferulic acid — the Duke University antioxidant patent that spawned a thousand dupes. $182 is painful, but the 20-year clinical dataset on photoaging reversal is unmatched. Every derm office in America has a bottle on the shelf. | Retinol in squalane — cushioned and less reactive than water-based retinols. The entry-level that earns a forever slot. |
