“Gio, do you know a dupe for Skinceuticals CE Ferulic that doesn’t go bad within a month?” I hear ya. Who wants to waste $166 on a serum that turns brown before you’re even halfway through it? But… you’re gonna have the same problem with any true dupes of Skinceuticals CE Ferulic. When I shared my personal fave dupe with you (in case you were wondering, that’s Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster), a few of you complained it goes bad way too soon, too. That’s pure Vitamin C for you. Blink and it goes bad.
There’s another way. You can use a Vitamin C derivative. Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum uses Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Magnesium Ascorbic Phosphate, two stable forms of Vitamin C. It’s not an exact dupe for Skinceuticals CE Ferulic, but it’s close enough. Should you make the switch?
What Ingredients Do These Vitamin C Serums Have In Common?
VITAMIN C TO BRIGHTEN SKIN
Vitamin C is an antiaging powerhouse. Studies found that it:
- Fights the free radicals that cause premature wrinkles
- Brightens the complexion
- Fades dark spots
- Boosts collagen, the protein that keeps skin firm and elastic
The catch? Most of these studies are done on 15% L-Ascorbic Acid, the pure form of Vitamin C. And the one Skinceuticals CE Ferulic happens to use. Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate uses Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Magnesium Ascorbic Phosphate, two stable form of Vitamin C. TA deserves a special mention because it penetrates skin deeper than L-Ascorbic Acid. But neither form is as effective at fighting free radicals and boosting collagen.
So, why should you go for the Paula’s Choice serum over Skinceuticals CE Ferulic? Here’s the deal: if you want the most effective form of Vitamin C, you shouldn’t. You should put up with Skinceuticals CE Ferulic or one of its pure dupes, like Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster.
But if you have sensitive skin that can’t tolerate a high concentration of pure Vitamin C or are simply sick and tired of wasting money on a serum you’ll never finish, Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate is the next best thing.
Related: Types Of Vitamin C Used In Skincare
Want to save money on skincare without compromising on results? Download the Skincare Dupes cheatsheet below for my fave dupes of high-end products:
VITAMIN E AND FERULIC ACID TO BOOST SUN PROTECTION
Skinceuticals CE Ferulic and Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate use different forms of Vitamin C. But, they both let it play with its BFFs, Vitamin E and ferulic acid. Vitamin E and ferulic acid are powerful antioxidants in their own right (especially ferulic acid: it fights THREE types of free radicals!). But when used with Vitamin C, they become unstoppable:
- They boost one another’s effectiveness (they don’t become ineffective as quickly as they would on their own)
- They enhance your sunscreen’s protection, helping you fight sun damage and premature wrinkles
Whatever Vitamin C serum you go for, make sure these two are in it, too.
Related: Why You Should Add Ferulic Acid To Your Skincare Routine
What Else Is In These Vitamin C Serums?
NOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.
- Green: It’s effective, proven to work, and helps the product do the best possible job for your skin.
- Yellow: There’s not much proof it works (at least, yet).
- Red: What is this doing here?!
SKINCEUTICALS CE FERULIC INGREDIENTS
- Water: It’s just the base. Think of it as the canvas everything else is mixed into. Doesn’t do much on its own, but without it the formula wouldn’t even exist.
- Ethoxydiglycol: A solvent that helps other ingredients (like vitamin C) dissolve and spread evenly. It’s also a penetration enhancer, meaning it helps actives sink deeper into your skin.
- Glycerin: A humectant, aka a moisture magnet. It pulls water into your skin so it feels plump and hydrated.
- Propylene Glycol: Another humectant and solvent that keeps things from drying out.
- Laureth-23: An emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed together so your serum doesn’t separate. Doesn’t do much for skin directly, but without it you’d have a gloopy mess.
- Phenoxyethanol: A preservative to keep bacteria from throwing a party in your bottle.
- Triethanolamine: Used to adjust the pH so the formula actually works (especially important with vitamin C).
- Panthenol: Also called pro-vitamin B5. Soothing, moisturizing, helps skin heal and feel soft. It’s like a calm-down button for angry skin.
- Sodium Hyaluronate: The salt form of hyaluronic acid. Pulls in water and makes skin look plump and juicy. Works in tiny amounts but if overused in a dry climate, it can backfire and dehydrate.
PAULA’S CHOICE RESIST SUPER ANTIOXIDANT CONCENTRATE
- Cyclopentasiloxane: A lightweight silicone that makes products spread like silk. It gives that smooth, slip feel and helps fill in fine lines temporarily. Usually safe, though some people don’t love silicones because they can feel like a film on the skin.
- Dimethicone: Another silicone, thicker than cyclopentasiloxane. It locks in hydration, smooths texture, and keeps skin feeling soft. Some people dislike the occlusive feel.
- Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5: A peptide that tells your skin to make more collagen. Helps with firmness and smoothness over time. The only downside is that proof of its effectiveness only comes from the manufacturer.
- Ceramide NP: A skin-identical lipid that strengthens your barrier. Think of it as the glue that keeps your skin cells stuck together and hydrated. Great for dry or sensitive skin.
- Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10): An antioxidant your body naturally makes, but levels drop with age. Helps defend skin against environmental damage and may smooth out fine lines.
- Thioctic Acid (Alpha Lipoic Acid): A strong antioxidant that works inside and outside cells. Can make skin more radiant but sometimes causes tingling or mild irritation in sensitive types.
- Beta-Glucan: A soothing, hydrating agent that calms redness and irritation. Also helps skin hold onto water.
- Superoxide Dismutase: A powerhouse antioxidant enzyme that neutralizes one of the nastiest free radicals (superoxide). Protects skin from stress and aging.
- Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG): The active compound in green tea. Strong antioxidant, calming, and may help with oil control and redness.
- Ergothioneine: An amino acid-derived antioxidant that helps protect skin cells and works with other antioxidants to fight damage.
- Glutathione: Another natural antioxidant in your body. Supports brightening and protection against free radicals.
- Xanthophylls: Plant pigments (think leafy greens) with antioxidant activity. Help neutralize damage from UV exposure.
- Glycine Soja Seed Extract (Soybean Extract): Rich in antioxidants and phytoestrogens. Can help even out skin tone and support barrier health.
- Glycerin: Humectant that draws water into skin, keeping it plump and soft. Super reliable, works for all skin types.
- Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract (Bearberry Extract): Contains arbutin, a natural skin-brightener that can fade dark spots.
- Lupinus Albus Seed Extract (White Lupin Extract): Plant extract with antioxidant benefits and potential skin-firming effects.
- Curcuma Longa Root Extract (Turmeric Extract): Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powerhouse. Helps with brightness and calming redness. Can stain yellow if concentrated.
- Elaeis Guineensis Oil (Palm Oil): An emollient that softens and moisturizes skin. Also a source of vitamin E. Heavier texture, so not everyone with oily skin will love it.
- Phenoxyethanol: The preservative that keeps the whole formula from turning into a bacteria playground.
WHICH FORMULA IS BETTER?
Skinceuticals CE Ferulic keeps it basic: Vitamins C + E + ferulic acid with a sprinkle of
hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate skin (it works by attracting moisture from the air into the skin).
Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate has no hyaluronic acid. Instead, it’s loaded to the brim with antioxidants. Green tea. Ubiquinone. Superoxide dismutase. You mention it, it’s there. All together they patrol the body looking for free radicals to destroy before they can give you wrinkle and dark spots.
What does this means? Well, while Skinceuticals CE Ferulic has enough L-Ascorbic Acid to boost collagen and reverse some photo damage, Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate is all about preventing new wrinkles from forming in the first place.
Related: Common Antioxidants Used In Skincare Products
What’s The Texture Like?
- SkinCeuticals feels runny, almost watery, and when you first put it on there’s this weird sticky film that makes you think, “oh no, this is going to stay tacky forever.” But give it a minute and it soaks in, so you can throw on sunscreen or makeup without it balling up.
- Paula’s Choice is the opposite – thick, silky, almost greasy at first. It’s that heavy silicone slip that some people love because it makes skin feel instantly smooth, but if you’ve got oily skin it can feel like a layer sitting on top of your face instead of disappearing.
What’s The Fragrance Like?
Neither of these serums has added fragrance, but they definitely don’t smell the same. SkinCeuticals has that infamous “hot dog water” scent that vitamin C fans joke about – not exactly luxurious, but it fades quickly. Paula’s Choice doesn’t really smell of much at all. It’s more neutral, which makes sense since the formula leans on antioxidants that don’t have strong odors.
What’s The Packaging Like?
- SkinCeuticals sticks with a dark amber glass dropper bottle, which makes sense because pure vitamin C is super unstable and needs that extra protection from light and air. The downside? Every time you open the dropper, oxygen sneaks in, so you’ve got to use it up fairly quickly before it turns brown.
- Paula’s Choice takes a more practical route with a pump bottle. It’s opaque, air-tight, and way less messy. You don’t have to worry about spillage or contamination, and the antioxidants inside stay stable for longer.
How To Use Them
SKINCEUTICALS CE FERULIC
Use it in the morning, right after cleansing and before moisturizer or sunscreen. Put 4-5 drops in your palm, press it into your skin (don’t waste time rubbing it between your hands first or it just sinks into your fingers). Let it sit for a minute because it can feel sticky at first, then go in with moisturizer and SPF. That’s it – vitamin C is a morning thing because it makes your sunscreen work harder against UV damage.
PAULA’S CHOICE RESIST SUPER ANTIOXIDANT CONCENTRATE
This one’s more flexible. You can use it morning or night, since it’s stable and loaded with antioxidants. It’s thicker, so if you’re layering, put it on after lighter serums but before your moisturizer. One small pump is enough – it spreads easily because of the silicones. If you’ve got oily skin, you’ll probably prefer it at night so you don’t feel greasy during the day.
Which Of The Two Should You Go For?
Go with Skinceuticals CE Ferulic if:
- You’re serious about anti-aging. It’s the most powerful of the two.
- You want to brighten skin a little faster. Again, it does the job better than derivatives.
Go with Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum if:
- You have sensitive skin that can’t tolerate L-Ascorbic Acid.
- You have acne-prone skin (L-Ascorbic Acid can cause breakouts).
- You want a Vitamin C serum that lasts for months.
Related: Can You Use A Vitamin C Serum If You Have Sensitive Skin?
Availability
Skinceuticals CE Ferulic: $185.00 at Dermstore, Face The Future, Look Fantastic, and Skinceuticals
Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum: $49.00 at Paula’s Choice
Is Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum A Dupe For Skinceuticals CE Ferulic?
Nope. Paula’s Choice Resist Antioxidant Concentrate Serum contains less effective forms of Vitamin C. While Skinceuticals treats photo damage, Paula’s Choice can only prevent it. But if you’re looking for a gentler CEF alternative for your sensitive skin or you’re tired of wasting your hard-earned cash on a serum you can’t finish, Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum may be worth the trade-off.
More Dupes For Skinceuticals CE Ferulic:
Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Ingredients
Water, Ethoxydiglycol, Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Laureth-23, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Triethanolamine, Ferulic Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum Ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone (hydrations/suspending agents), Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (vitamin c/antioxidant), Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 (skin-restoring ingredient), Ceramide NP, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol (vitamin e/antioxidant), Ubiquinone (coenzyme q10/antioxidant), Thioctic Acid (alpha lipoic acid/antioxidant), Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin e/antioxidant), Magnesium Ascorbyl, Phosphate ( vitamin c/antioxidant), Ferulic Acid (antioxidant), Beta-Glucan (skin-soothing), Superoxide Dismutase (antioxidant), Epigallocatechin Gallate (antioxidant), Ergothioneine (antioxidant), Glutathione (antioxidant), Xanthophylls (antioxidant), Glycine Soja Seed Extract (soybean extract/antioxidant), Glycerin (hydration/skin replenishing), Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract (bearberry extract/skin-soothing), Lupinus Albus Seed Extract (white lupin extract/antioxidant), Curcuma Longa Root Extract (turmeric extract/antioxidant), Elaeis Guineensis Oil (palm oil/emollient), Phenoxyethanol (preservative)
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
