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skinceuticals ce ferulic and paulas choice resist antioxidant concentrate serum

“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:

  1. They boost one another’s effectiveness (they don’t become ineffective as quickly as they would on their own)
  2. 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?

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.

P.S. The other main difference? Skinceuticals CE Ferulic stinks. Blame it on the ingredients. They may be anti-aging superstars, but they have an awful smell.

Related: Common Antioxidants Used In Skincare Products

What’s The Texture Like?

Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum has a gorgeous silken texture that dries to a matte finish. But, some people may describe it as a bit too siliconey.

Skinceuticals CE Ferulic has a watery, non-sticky texture that sinks in immediately into your skin.

What’s The Packaging Like?

Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum comes in a dark blue tube with a pump applicator for ease of use.

Skinceuticals CE Ferulic comes in a UV-tinted bottle with a dropper applicator. It’s practical, too.

How To Use Them

In the morning after cleansing but before sunscreen (it supercharges its sun protection, remember?).

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:  $166.00 at Dermstore

Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum: $38.00 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.