Medik8 Super C Ferulic vs SkinCeuticals

Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.

Vitamin C might just be the most talked about skincare ingredient, ever.

Sure, retinol and glycolic acid get a lot of attention, and everyone raves about niacinamide and hyaluronic acid...

But vitamin C serums? They're in a whole other league - and probably a regular in your Google search history.

But what is vitamin C, what does vitamin C for skin do, and which is the best vitamin C serum?

You can find out everything you need to know about vitamin C and antioxidants by listening to the Week 5 episode of Skincare School the podcast below (or keep scrolling for the quick version).

What Is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient, but it's also an active ingredient found in skincare with a high antioxidant content.

The most common and effective form of vitamin C is Ascorbic acid/L-ascorbic acid.

Whether it's natural or synthetic, vitamin C is a notoriously unstable ingredient, so you'll find one of its derivatives in your product's ingredients list.

You can browse and shop all vitamin C products here.

Types of Vitamin C in Skin Care.

Here are the most common vitamin C derivatives:

• Ascorbic acid/L-ascorbic acid - Most effective, water-soluble, can be unstable.

• Sodium ascorbyl phosphate - Gentle, stable, water-soluble.

• Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate - Gentle, stable, water-soluble.

• Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate - Gentle, stable, oil-soluble.

If vitamin C serums usually irritate your skin or break you out, try a vitamin C serum containing one of the gentler vitamin C derivatives.

Learn more about the different types of vitamin C in our YouTube video here.

What Does Vitamin C for Skin Do?

The benefits of using a vitamin C skincare product in the morning under moisturiser and SPF include:

• Protection from age-accelerating free radicals.

• Repairing of existing environmental damage.

• Treatment of pigmentation, discolouration and uneven skin tone.

• A brightening and radiance-inducing effect for the skin.

Is vitamin C the best thing to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation?

Skin care-wise, yes. Other ingredients like vitamin A and exfoliating acids also do a good job.

However, the most effective hyperpigmentation treatments are things like Fraxel laser and skin needling, done in-clinic with a dermatologist or dermal therapist.

You can learn more about managing hyperpigmentation in our YouTube video below.

How to Apply A Vitamin C Serum.

OK, now we know what vitamin C is and why it's great for skin, let's answer some of your questions on how to apply a vitamin C serum.

• When do you use vitamin C? You can use vitamin C morning and night, however the best way is in the morning combined with sunscreen. Then, you can use your other active skincare ingredients (vitamin A or exfoliating acids) at night.

• Do you apply vitamin C before or after a hyaluronic acid serum? Layer your serums based on your main skin concerns, but personally, I like to apply vitamin C before my hydrating serum.

• Do you apply on damp or dry skin? Whichever works best for you! I apply my vitamin C serum to slightly damp skin after using a face mist.

• How often can you use vitamin C? You can use vitamin C every day, if your skin can tolerate it!

• How do I know if my vitamin C has oxidised? If the formula looks darker or smells stronger, feels more irritating on the skin, or if it's well past the product expiry date.

Watch how I use vitamin C in my skincare routine in this YouTube video below.

What You Can (and Can't) Use Vitamin C With.

You can use vitamin C with other active ingredients in a skincare routine, but the 'when' is important.

A general rule of thumb: Stick to one core active ingredient per skincare application (i.e. your morning routine or your night routine).

For example, in the morning, vitamin C is your core active ingredient. You can layer it with a hydrating serum, moisturiser and sunscreen.

At night, it's not recommended to use products containing vitamin C, vitamin A (retinol), alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs like glycolic acid) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs like salicylic acid) at the same time.

Why? Because it's too much and can actually break your skin barrier.

The exception to the rule is if you're using a product like Murad Vita-C Triple Exfoliating Facial or Alpha-H Liquid Gold Midnight Reboot Serum 50ml that has been expertly formulated to combine multiple active ingredients without risk.

Want to know more about layering skincare products? Check out this YouTube video below.

Best Vitamin C Serum.

The best vitamin C serum for you will depend on your skin type, your experience with active ingredients, and your budget.

What you like to use also plays a part. For example, one of the most common questions I get is, are there effective vitamin C serums that don't have a meaty smell?

The famous SkinCeuticals vitamin C serums all have a trademark ham-like scent.

I don't mind it, but it takes some getting used to and it's not going to be for everyone!

Some of my favourites that don't smell like a deli include:

• asap super C complex - This one also happens to be my top pick for the best vitamin C serum under $100.

• Société Triple C Vitamin Therapy Serum

• Medik8 Super C Ferulic 30ml

• Dermalogica Age Smart Biolumin-C Serum

Another common vitamin C question: Is there a vitamin C serum that won't cause breakouts?

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you may find some vitamin C serums cause you to break out.

Another reason you might get pimples after using vitamin C is simply because it's too irritating for your skin type and tolerance level, or you have sensitive/sensitised skin.

Here are two vitamin C serums for blemish-prone skin:

• SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF - This one just launched (more info below).

• Aspect Jungle Brew

What about a vitamin C serum for sensitive skin?

• SkinCeuticals Serum 10 AOX+ - Specifically formulated for sensitive skin and/or vitamin C beginners.

• Alpha-H Vitamin C 25ml - Contains a low percentage of a very gentle vitamin C derivative.

• The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% - Resveratrol is an antioxidant, and a great vitamin C alternative.

Here are some other vitamin C serum recommendations.

1. SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF.

Got oily skin? This vitamin C serum was made for you.

It's the same price and size as its sister serum C E Ferulic, but with a crucial ingredient swap to cater towards oily and acne-prone skins.

It contains 10 per cent L-ascorbic acid, Ferulic acid and Phloretin. Phloretin is a flavonoid that is derived from apples. This compound has antioxidant benefits and allows the serum to penetrate more deeply into the skin.

2. asap Super C Serum.

I'm calling it: asap super C complex is one of the most exciting new asap products in ages.

The powerful, non-irritating formula delivers instantly brighter-looking skin as well as long-term skin benefits.

Recently reformulated to get rid of the pilling problem, this cosmeceutical vitamin C serum contains a whopping 20 per cent L-ascorbic acid.

*Comparatively, the cult CE Ferulic vitamin C serum contains 15 per cent.

For those who didn't love the old texture, the new super C formula is smooth and silky and smells like a scoop of zesty orange sorbet.

Oh, and under $90 for 30ml = very reasonable for an active vitamin C serum.

3. SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF.

SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF is a potent oil-free vitamin C serum specifically for oily and blemish-prone skin.

The formula contains 15 per cent L-ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, 0.5 per cent silymarin and 0.5 per cent salicylic acid.

This serum has been clinically proven to:

• Reduce oil oxidation (which can lead to breakouts) by up to 76 per cent.

• Reduce oiliness by 16 per cent in one week.

• Improve the look of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation by 13 per cent in four weeks.

• Improve overall skin appearance by 41 per cent in eight weeks.

4. La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum.

Suitable for more sensitive skin types, and those prone to congestion, this more affordable formula features a high concentration of 10% pure vitamin C, combined with salicylic acid and a patented soothing complex.

La Roche-Posay Redermic Vitamin C10 Serum 30ml has a lightweight, water gel texture that absorbs quickly and works to boost radiance and clarity, without irritation.

5. Société Triple C Vitamin Therapy Serum.

When we spoke to Clinical Educator at Advanced Skin Technology Brooke Child on the Beauty IQ Uncensored podcast, she said the Société Triple C Vitamin Therapy Serum is her favourite vitamin C serum right now.

It's pricey, but you're paying for the elegant, advanced formulation. This product blends three stable forms of vitamin C to give you the highest antioxidant protection, without irritation. The formula won't breakdown or oxidise, either.

6. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum.

This is the OG, cult favourite vitamin C serum of beauty editors around the world.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum is also the product Adore founder Kate Morris wouldn't be caught without.

Yes, it smells like off Christmas ham, but the formula's combination of 15% vitamin C, 1% Vitamin E and Ferulic acid helps to prevent premature signs of ageing and stimulate collagen production.

7. Aspect Jungle Brew.

Another excellent choice for anyone who finds vitamin C serums break them out, Aspect Jungle Brew has been formulated to be an antioxidant serum and blemish serum, all in one.

This serum contains stay-C 50, a stable and effective ingredient that can help minimise the severity and frequency of breakouts without the harsh side effects of traditional chemical treatments. It also has a matte finish, win!

8. Alpha-H Vitamin C.

Another brilliant entry level vitamin C serum, the Alpha-H Vitamin C 25ml serum will also look chic in your bathroom.

This Aussie-made serum contains Ethyl Ascorbic acid and antioxidants to assist the strengthening, firming and preservation of the skin against further UVA and UVB damage. Hyaluronic acid is in there too for added hydration.

9. Medik8 Super C Ferulic.

If you're here for the strong sh*t, this is it.

Medik8 Super C Ferulic 30ml is a high-strength, high-performing antioxidant serum for experienced skincare users looking to take their hyperpigmentation prevention to the next level.

Contains 30 per cent ethyl ascorbic acid (a stable form of vitamin C), plus ferulic acid, vitamin E and turmeric root.

It stimulates collagen and elastin production while boosting skin with antioxidants to prevent and repair free radical damage, as well as brightening the skin and restoring radiance.

But trust me when I say this strong vitamin C and ferulic acid serum is not for the faint of heart or anyone who hasn't used vitamin C skin care before.

10. KORA Organics Noni Bright Vitamin C Serum.

For natural skincare lovers, the KORA Organics Noni Bright Vitamin C Serum 30ml features a blend of 12% Ascorbyl Glucoside, botanical extracts, natural forms of vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to brighten the skin, target pigmentation and protect the skin from environmental damage.

It's also model Miranda Kerr's favourite (she did make it, after all).

Here's a Recap of the Products Mentioned in This Article: