If you’re invested in the beauty space at all, chances are you’ve heard of SkinCeuticals’ widely beloved C E Ferulic serum. It’s commonly lauded as the absolute best vitamin C serum that you can buy, with plenty of clinical studies and articles out there to prove it. I’ve gone through two vials of it myself, and considering how many products I’m constantly trying, that says something. Vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid are all powerful skincare ingredients that work well together. Let’s break down why they’re so good to add to your routine:
Vitamin C: Topical vitamin C is by far one of the most dermatologist recommended ingredients for skin health. "Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps to protect the skin against free radical damage, boosts collagen production and improve hyperpigmentation," says Dr. Marisa Garshick, board-certified dermatologist. "It is commonly paired with vitamin E to help stabilize the vitamin C, as vitamin C is traditionally unstable and the combination also offers a synergistic antioxidant benefit." The most common form in skincare is L-absorbic acid.
Vitamin E: Vitamin E helps hydrate skin and maintain moisture, and it may even help with wound healing and curbing extreme dryness. Vitamin E is often used in tandem with vitamin C because it helps keep vitamin C more stable, boosting its efficacy. If you’re not sure if a product contains vitamin E, look for tocopherol on the ingredient list.
Ferulic Acid: Ferulic acid is an antioxidant that helps other antioxidants work as well as possible. Similarly to vitamin C, it can also aid in diminishing the appearance of dark spots, fine lines, and dullness.
There are plenty of innovative products out there that do the job effectively and on a budget. I spent hours combing through Sephora and Amazon to find similar products that work for every budget. Keep reading for the best products containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid out there, no matter how much money you’re willing to spend.
The O.G.:
Ask anyone—beauty editors, derms, and industry insiders alike—and they’ll tell you that this is the serum to beat. In fact, it’s the serum Gwyneth Paltrow uses—and we’ve all seen her skin, right? It has 15% vitamin C, 1% vitamin E, and .5% ferulic acid for a serum that’s super-high potency without irritation. "This tried-and-true formula helps to deliver key antioxidants to the skin," says Garshick. "The combination of antioxidants helps to protect the skin against oxidative stress and neutralize free radicals. As a result, [C E Ferulic] brightens the skin, improves skin tone, and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles while improving and preventing the signs of sun damage."
If you have $25 or less to spend on a C E Ferulic serum…
Yes, it’s technically a moisturizer, but this lightweight formula has vitamin C and vitamin E to brighten and smooth skin. Garshick recommends this moisturizer because it’s also supremely hydrating, so it's a one-stop shop for radiant skin.
People swear by this $20 serum, which has garnered nearly 70,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. Not only does it have vitamins C and E, it also has hyaluronic acid to help plump and deeply moisturize skin.
It’s hard not to love Sephora Collection for making products that are efficacious but don’t break the bank. This C and E serum is exactly what you’d expect from the brand. It evens skin tone, brightens, and smooths.
Vitamin E and vitamin C are joined by aloe and hyaluronic acid to smooth and calm skin. It’s also naturally derived.
With 20 percent vitamin C, this serum is a true workhorse. Vitamin E and ferulic acid help make sure it truly penetrates skin for the best results possible.
If you have $50 or less to spend on a C E Ferulic serum.…
Jam-packed with the usual suspects (vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid), this serum is also formulated with konjac root, a flower that has softening properties when it’s used in skincare.
Another no-frills vitamin C serum that you can count on to deliver results, this option also has Asiatic acid, which can help curb fine lines and heal damaged skin.
Not only does this serum have vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid, but it’s also infused with vitamin B. Vitamin E can help protect your skin’s moisture barrier, so it ensures that your skin stays healthy.
This unique formula is waterless, which helps ensure that the formula stays stable. Along with vitamin C and ferulic acid, this serum also has upcycled tangerine peel and sugar beet to hydrate skin, but this serum’s real claim to fame is its ability to reduce dark spots. In a clinical study, participants saw a 16% improvement in dark spots on their faces and a 2% improvement in how even their faces looked.
If you have $75 or less to spend on a C E Ferulic serum…
Coined a skin "booster,” this serum is the ultimate addition to any skincare routine. Hyaluronic acid helps plump and retain skin hydration while vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid firm and brighten.
Not only does this vitamin C serum work overtime to firm and brighten, but it’s also filled with tons of other skin-friendly ingredients to give you smooth and taut results. Collagen helps support elasticity while orange extract, green tea extract, and aloe help overall skin health.
If your main concern is dark spots and hyperpigmentation, this serum was made with you in mind. Vitamin C is partly to thank for this, but this serum also has kojic acid, a dark spot–reducing superstar.
If you have $100 or less to spend on a C E Ferulic serum…
With L-ascorbic acid derived from spirulina, this serum harnesses the power of the ocean to brighten and smooth skin. It also contains a marine ferment to help nourish the skin barrier.
Leave it to Eminence to come up with a super potent serum using ingredients you might find in a green juice. With citrus, kale, broccoli, and spinach, this nourishing serum is basically a wellness drink for your skin.
Think of this serum as a shot of espresso to the face. It’s infused with an energy complex to help rejuvenate and wake up the skin, while vitamin C and collagen help even skin tone and boost elasticity.
This 20% vitamin C, 3% vitamin E, and 2% ferulic acid serum is impressively potent. Unlike most vitamin C serums, this one utilizes THD ascorbate as its source for vitamin C. THD ascorbate is both more stable and more powerful than traditional vitamin C, making this a great option for anyone looking for a vitamin C serum that packs a punch.
SkinMedica is loved by derms for its science-driven approach to skincare. This serum delivers the kind of results the brand is known for and adds major brightness to skin.
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