Which to Choose: Skinceuticals CE Ferulic or Phloretin CF?
After a few days of using Skinceuticals’ new Phloretin CF instead of my beloved Skinceuticals CE Ferulic,
I have come to a surprising decision on what works best: using both together!
After speaking to a friend in the beauty business, it was suggested that perhaps Skinceuticals manufactured Phloretin CF without vitamin E so that CE Ferulic fans would buy Phloretin CF in addition to, rather than instead of, CE Ferulic. This logic also made since because my (normal, somewhat sensitive) skin felt awfully dry after three days’ use of solely Phloretin CF. However, during that time, I felt that Phloretin CF on its own made my undereye skin look somewhat firmer.
For the next week, I used Phloretin CF and CE Ferulic together, with the product with the thinner consistency (Phloretin CF) underneath. The results really were extraordinary: my skin looks extremely smooth, to the point that indoor light reflects from it. The sunspot under my right eye (from a childhood vacation in Florida, don’t ask, haha) also looks a bit lighter. I personally love the idea of getting 2% phloretin, 10% vitamin C as L-ascorbic acid, and 0.5% ferulic acid in Phloretin CF and also 1% vitamin E as tocopherol acetate, 15% vitamin C as L-ascorbic acid, and 0.5% ferulic acid in CE Ferulic. There is no known reported research indicating that the mixture can in any way be detrimental to the skin.
However, for the record, Skinceuticals states that Phloretin CF and CE Ferulic are made to address “different photo-aging concerns and skin types.” According to a recent company brochure, the new Phloretin CF is designed:
- for oily, problematic, and normal skin
- to diminish age spots and other forms of hyperpigmentation
- to accelerate cell renewal
- to improve laxity
- to retexturize skin
On the other hand, according to the brochure, CE Ferulic is best suited:
- for dry, combination, and normal skin
- to replenish lipids
- to stimulate collagen synthesis
- to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
With that said, I offer the following advice: If you have normal skin, and can afford to use both products, I would do so to get increased antioxidant protection, increased skin firmness, and truly advanced hyperpigmentation treatment. (And I am not affiliated with Skinceuticals in any way, so I am saying this as an unbiased, unpaid recommendation! 
) However, if you have dry skin, I would recommend only CE Ferulic, because Phloretin CF tends to dry out the skin. And, if you have oily skin, I would conversely recommend trying both Phloretin CF and CE Ferulic, because CE Ferulic is not as hydrating as Phloretin CF is drying. However, if your oily skin breaks out after using CE Ferulic, then definitely use only Phloretin CF. (Get your CE Ferulic from a company with a forgiving return policy like Amazon!)
I am truly loving my Phloretin CF and CE Ferulic in combination, and I hope that you find this post helpful too!
P.S.– Keep commenting! The FutureDerm and Skinmedix.com $500 skincare giveaway is this Friday, June 19, 2008!
Just wondering… do you have a post with everything you use?? :]
If you are using them together…which do you apply first? AM/PM??
Let me ask you this…do you not use the B5 gel after applying CE or the new Phloretin serums? I was advised to use this gel after using either or product. Also, is there any significance in using the Phyto + for hyperpigmentation? Thx
Can you please email me back at suzi.dominguez@spservicing.com and at szdmngz13@msn.com.
Hi Nicki
Great review on the skinceuticals phloretin CF. I intend to try this product and according to your blog skinmedix sell ths products. Do you get this product from them too. If you get it from them then it will be safe for us to buy from them .
Thank you.
Can pregnant women use Phloretin CF?
Are Skinceuticals’ new Phloretin and Skinceuticals CE Ferulic safe during pregnancy and nursing?
Can you use Phloretin CF anywhere on your face, including around the eyes and neck?
Thank-you!
Patrice
Thanks for the review. You didn’t mention the AOX versions. They were supposedly made for people with oily skin as well. How do they stack up against these two?
Is Skinceuticals Pholretin CF safe to use while pregnant?
Here are the answers (sorry for the delay…I am on break from med school now.
):
For Rosa, a list of my skin care products:
http://www.futurederm.com/2008/07/
Hilary – I use the Skinceuticals CE Ferulic in the morning and the Phloretin CF under retinol cream at night. If using both together, I would use the CE Ferulic first, because it has a lighter consistency and is more easily absorbed into the skin.
Suzi – I don’t think the Skinceuticals B5 serum is necessary , but if you feel more comfortable using it, then I would use it after Skinceuticals CE Ferulic in the morning and after Skinceuticals Phloretin at night. However, this is just a personal preference, not based on any science, I am sorry
Ben – You’re welcome.
Sarah – As far as I know, Skinceuticals CE Ferulic and Phloretin are safe during pregnancy and nursing. Talk to your dermatologist and ob/gyn to be sure. Here is an additional article on all of the ingredients I know of that are dangerous during pregnancy and nursing; hope that this helps you as well.
http://www.futurederm.com/2007/11/03/skin-care-ingredients-and-supplements-pregnant-or-nursing-women-should-not-use/
Patrice – On the record, Skinceuticals CE Ferulic and Phloretin are great for use on the face and neck. Off the record, I *may* know of someone who uses it around her eyes and absolutely swears by it…:-)
Isah – The AOX versions I am less fond of, as these contain less than the 15% L-ascorbic acid and 2% tocopheryl acetate found in CE Ferulic. However, if you find that the AOX is more suitable for your skin, that is more important than the 5% L-ascorbic acid you are losing. Hope this helped; good luck!
HHA – I think so, but check with your dermatologist or ob/gyn. Here is an additional article on all of the ingredients I know of that are dangerous during pregnancy and nursing; hope that this helps you as well.
http://www.futurederm.com/2007/11/03/skin-care-ingredients-and-supplements-pregnant-or-nursing-women-should-not-use/
I used to use Ferulic CE and switched to Phloretin the first time I needed to repurchase after Phloretin came out. I think it is a bit more drying than the Ferulic. I can use neither on my neck, but strangely, neither bothers my undereye area even though, at age 59, I definitely have mature, dryish skin.
I had a facial at a salon that uses Skinceuticals products and the facialist said that some of her clients alternate, 1 A.M. on Ferulic and 1 A.M. on Phloretin. What do you think of that regime?
Hi Andee,
I am not sure why 1 A.M. is the time of choice, but I personally think that both are great products. Two thoughts:
1.) If you want to make them last longer, sure, alternating them is a great way to do so.
2.) If you can afford both, I love Skinceuticals CE Ferulic for day and Phloretin CF for night (under retinol cream and niacinamide).
Hope that helped!
Sincerely,
Nicki
Thanks for this really informative post!!! CE Ferulic broke me out, so I’m trialing the new Phloretin CF which is more suitable for oily, problematic skin. I’ve read on Paula Begoun’s website however that the amount of alcohol in Phloretin CF “negates any antioxident benefit” of the Phloretin CF – is this accurate? How problematic is alcohol for the skin?
Thanks, Rachel
Hi Rachel,
There is indeed a high concentration of low molecular weight alcohol in Phloretin CF. To be honest, I can’t confirm or deny with any scientific evidence that the amount of alcohol “negates any antioxidant benefit.” At worst, alcohol (as denatured ethyl alcohol) is drying and stimulates inflammation in the skin. At best, antioxidants phloretin, L-ascorbic acid, and ferulic acid fight free radicals and hence prevent free radical-induced damage. Without direct experimental evidence, I can’t say for sure that these antioxidants prevent more free radical induced damage than the alcohol induces, but that would be my guess.
(Just don’t hold me to it…and I’ll let you know if experimental evidence of some sort ever surfaces!)
More on alcohol is here:
http://www.futurederm.com/2007/10/15/the-most-misunderstood-skincare-ingredient-alcohol/
Hope that helps!
Sincerely,
Nicki
Hi Nikki – have you reviewed Skinceuticals newest AGE Interrupter? I just read a good review in the latest issue of Heatlh magazine. Thanks.