There are few skincare products so legendary that the mere mention of them inspires a giddy response from celebrities, editors, and consumers alike. Augustinus Bader’s The Cream is one of those skincare unicorns, followed closely by La Mer’s Crème de la Mer, or even the SK-II Treatment Essence. But there’s one product that’s seemingly eclipsed them all in the beauty zeitgeist, and that’s the SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic ($166). The fine-line smoothing, dark spot-brightening vitamin C serum has reached cult-status among beauty lovers all over the world, who consistently tout it as a life-changing skincare secret. The only problem? That hefty price tag.
With known celebrity fans including Gwyneth Paltrow, Tracee Ellis Ross, Hailey Bieber, Sienna Miller, and more, this serum has more than solidified its spot in the skincare Hall of Fame. That’s why we were so ecstatic to learn that Dermstore is offering 15% off the entire SkinCeuticals line when you use code SKINC15 at checkout from September 12 through September 17.
As professional beauty sale sleuths, we can tell you that SkinCeuticicals never gets discounted. Use this rare savings event to snag yourself a bottle of the magical CE Ferulic elixir, and keep scrolling for more top-rated SkinCeuticals picks that celebrities, Who What Wear staffers, and Dermstore reviewers can’t get enough of.
Rating: 5/5 stars, 2657 reviews. Glowing celebrity review: Tracee Ellis Ross recently took to Instagram to share her love of CE Ferulic, saying, “[It] helps you look radiant and it keeps working even after it’s applied! BOOM!” She continues, “You can feel all of the yummy stuff in this serum.” All true!
Rating: 5/5 stars, 752 reviews. Glowing staffer review: “This is the best moisturizer I’ve ever used. I’ve gone through jars and jars of La Mer feeling fine, but never in love. When a friend who has the same oily-combination skin type as I do recommended I try this SkinCeuticals moisturizer, I was excited to make the change. The consistency is thick but soft (never greasy) and it smells divine. I love that it transformed some of the fine lines around my eyes I started noticing the minute I turned 30 and generally makes my skin feel bouncy af.” — Nayiri Mampourian, Who What Wear senior fashion editor
Rating: 5/5 stars, 730 reviews. Glowing Dermstore review: “This product is liquid gold. I have tried a few times to go without it, and my fine lines quickly become more visible and my skin looks tired, making me look older. It beautifully adsorbs into your skin, leaving no sticky film or anything. It makes your skin beautifully hydrated and youthful. Highly, highly recommend this amazing product!”
Rating: 5/5 stars, 608 reviews. Glowing Dermstore review: “I’m new to this line. My mom swears by the retinol and I wanted to try something not already in my line up, so I tried this product first. I’m enjoying it. I have acne-prone skin and it hasn’t caused any issues there for me. I have seen some improvement in my skin but it’s more like I notice it when I don’t use this product. I’m extremely picky about skin products and will reorder this when it runs out. I can see it being more helpful during the dry months of winter.”
Rating: 5/5 stars, 579 reviews. Glowing staffer review: “I started using this eye cream at the recommendation of an absurdly youthful-looking colleague, and took some before-and-after pics that show what using the product for five months can do to your eye area. In the photos I linked, you can see the difference in my eye area, specifically where my lines are less deeply etched, and the skin tone under my eyes is more even. I used to think eye creams were extra, aka not necessary, especially when I’m spending so much on serums and face creams. I assumed they were a waste of money when I could just as well spread my other face products all the way up to my eyes. But after using this one, I’m all in on shelling out for eye cream and will be taking advantage of the sale to re-up.” — Kat Collings, Who What Wear editor-in-chief
Rating: 5/5 stars, 528 reviews. Glowing Dermstore review: “I love the SkinCeuticals line and added this sunscreen to my regimen. A little goes a long way. It does not feel heavy and provides excellent coverage and good protection BUT there are a couple of things to keep in mind. 1. If you have a darker complexion you will get that “ghostlike” appearance if you use it alone. So I mix it with either my Specific Beauty or Olay moisturizer. It mixes and blends well. 2. As mentioned by another user, it does have a bit of a gritty texture, but I find it blends in well. 3. I have very sensitive skin and it is one of the few sunscreen moisturizers I can use by itself and not cause breakouts.”
Rating: 5/5 stars, 457 reviews. Glowing Dermstore review: “My skin has gone a bit haywire ever since the craziness of this year began. I wake up with new bumps several times a week whereas I used to just get them around my period. I was trying too many things and my skin retaliated big time. I ultimately pared back to washing my face with gentle Cetaphil twice a day, using this serum daily, a Province Apothecary spot treatment for painful zits, jojoba oil for moisturizer, and a trusted sunscreen. Nothing else. My skin seems a lot happier with this routine and I can see my blemishes clearing up and not popping up every night. Fingers crossed the progress continues!”
Rating: 5/5 stars, 451 reviews. Glowing staffer review: “While C E Ferulic may get all the praise, those in the know often opt for Phloretin CF. It shares many common ingredients with C E Ferulic like vitamin C and ferulic acid, but the also has phloretin, which is a powerful antioxidant that helps with cell turnover and improves any discoloration. Generally, it’s said that those with oilier skin should opt for Phloretin CF, which C E Ferulic is better for those with drier skin. My boyfriend has oilier skin than me, and loves the Phloretin formulation, while I’m quite happy with my C E Ferulic.” — Kat Collings, Who What Wear editor-in-chief
Rating: 5/5 stars, 452 reviews. Glowing Dermstore review: “I put this moisturizer on every morning and love it! I have normal to dry skin and this moisturizer soaks in quickly and keeps my skin hydrated all day. I put it on before my sunscreen. (I don’t wear foundation.) I’ll be ordering this again!”
Rating: 5/5 stars, 414 reviews. Glowing Dermstore review: “My skin used to be quite problematic and I was on all kinds of prescriptions and harsh treatments for acne. Now that I’ve progressed into more aging skin and repair zone, this treatment is lovely. I use it every 3 days or so at night and it has helped repair some of the pitting and scarring on my cheeks that have been there for a decade.”
Rating: 5/5 stars, 401 reviews. Glowing Dermstore review: “I was hesitant to try this cleanser because I hate spending money only for a product to not work as well as its description claims. This cleanser has surprised me though and I will definitely be repurchasing. It’s a thicker gel that works up a little lather. It is a great exfoliant that I have been alternating with a gentle cleanser.”
Rating: 5/5 stars, 293 reviews. Glowing Dermstore review: “This is sort of a necessary product for those with sensitive rosacea skin. It feels wonderful and plumps up the skin. Just a really worthwhile serum for an incredibly low price. At first, I expected little from this, but I’ve come to love it, and it’s lasted a very long time.”
Rating: 5/5 stars, 257 reviews. Glowing Dermstore review: “I started with the 0.3 strength for everyday use and just recently switched to this 0.5 level for 3 days a week. There was no harsh peeling or redness on my face. The texture is creamier than the 0.3. I plan to up usage to every day of the week. My skin doesn’t appear to be dull after I started adding retinol to my skincare routine. After this tube, I will switch to the 1.0 strength. No noticeable scent. The tube does make it a bit difficult towards the end, making sure you get to use every last drop.”
Rating: 5/5 stars, 246 reviews. Glowing staffer review: “I love the SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub, it’s amazing. I bought it when Dermstore had a special value pack of the scrub and CE Ferulic. I use the exfoliant two to three times a week in my nightly routine. I love it because it’s like a buffing polish for my skin, which is an oily-dry combination. I find it’s really nice for my skin type and immediately I see a restored glow and smoothness after rinsing. I love the fine, immaculate sandy texture, but it’s still really gentle as it removes the sweat and dead skin layers that build during the week.” — Charlotte Acevedo, Who What Wear analyst
Rating: 5/5 stars, 42 reviews. Glowing celebrity review: “B vitamins are good for you on the inside, and they say that the skin is the largest organ on the body, so seems like you you need the B also on the face”, Ross shared in the same Instagram post where she lauded the CE Ferulic formula. “It’s really like a gel, it’s clear. It’ll just keep absorbing into my skin,” she goes while demonstrating her intense facial massage method. Up next, 5 Editors With Different Skin Types Test SkinCeuticals’ Viral Brightening Potion.
