SkinCeuticals vs The Ordinary — side by side, no bias.
Our pick
Phloretin CF
9/10 · SkinCeuticals
| Phloretin CF | Buffet Multi-Technology Peptide Serum | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | SkinCeuticals | The Ordinary |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Editor Rating | 9/10 ★ | 8.2/10 |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Texture | Lightweight watery serum | Lightweight gel-serum |
| Finish | Quick-absorb | Soft, slightly tacky |
| Skin Types |
| Targets |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
| Verdict | 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. | The Ordinary's flagship peptide serum — a stack of six peptide complexes (Matrixyl 3000, Matrixyl synthe'6, Argireline, SNAP-8, Syn-Ake-class derivatives) plus hyaluronic acid in a single bottle. Buffet is the cumulative 'aging-prevention' application: not dramatic on day one, slow-build over 8–12 weeks. Cheap enough to commit to consistent use, formulated stably enough to layer with retinol or acids. Not magic, but the kind of supporting-cast serum that makes the rest of an anti-aging routine more effective. |
