Beauty

e.l.f. Skin has a dupe of the popular serum from Skinceuticals

By Lotte van Scherpenzeel | #!31Sun, 05 Oct 2025 05:00:50 +0200+02:005031#31Sun, 05 Oct 2025 05:00:50 +0200+02:00-5Europe\/Amsterdam3131Europe\/Amsterdam202531 05am31am-31Sun, 05 Oct 2025 05:00:50 +0200+02:005Europe\/Amsterdam3131Europe\/Amsterdam2025312025Sun, 05 Oct 2025 05:00:50 +02000050010amSunday=9#!31Sun, 05 Oct 2025 05:00:50 +0200+02:00Europe\/Amsterdam10#10-05-2025#!31Sun, 05 Oct 2025 05:00:50 +0200+02:005031#\/31Sun, 05 Oct 2025 05:00:50 +0200+02:00-5Europe\/Amsterdam3131Europe\/Amsterdam202531#!31Sun, 05 Oct 2025 05:00:50 +0200+02:00Europe\/Amsterdam10#

Split screen of two influencers showing the e.l.f. SKIN Bright Icon Vitamin C+E Ferulic Serum.

As a true loyal fan of the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum , and yes, I mean those amazing drops of nearly 180 euros (oops), I was quite surprised when I was scrolling on TikTok and heard that e.l.f. has launched a dupe. For, yes, nineteen euros.

The budget version is called: e.l.f. Skin Brightening Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Acid Serum. The secret to its success? The combination of three powerful antioxidants: vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid. And now that the patent on the original SkinCeuticals formula has expired, several brands are jumping on this popular formula. So no, e.l.f. is not the only one, but definitely the most affordable I have seen so far.

women applying makeup in the mirror

Look, it's tempting to say that it's exactly the same: the same ingredients, the same percentages, so the same effect? Unfortunately, it's not that simple. Formulation is a craft in itself, and quality lies not only in what is in it but also in how it is in it. Think about stability, pH value, texture, and how your skin reacts. Also, the vitamin C in the dupe is just a bit different than in the original. There are actually many types of vitamin C. It gets a bit more technical now: the pure and powerful L-ascorbic acid (which is in SkinCeuticals), but also milder and more stable variants like ascorbyl glucoside, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, or tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. In e.l.f.’s serum, you will find a mix of 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (a more stable variant) and ascorbic acid. This already makes it difficult to compare this one-to-one with SkinCeuticals. Each type of vitamin C works a bit differently, which can also affect how it works on your skin.

I have been using the SkinCeuticals version every morning for years, so I know what my skin likes and what works well. I of course immediately shopped the e.l.f. one, so I am very curious about its effect. According to TikTok, the serum absorbs quickly, feels fresh, and does not cause irritation, which can happen with some vitamin C products. Therefore, it is always wise to use a skincare product with active ingredients gradually: start with a few times a week and slowly build it up to daily use, if your skin responds well. With vitamin C, you can get lasting irritations; then it is of course wise to stop using it. Because then it just doesn't work for your skin.

I can't wait to try this out, but to beat my trusted SkinCeuticals, you have to be next level. Is e.l.f. the ultimate dupe king? I'm going to test it for you.

@mysistersskin Vitamin C serum is a powerhouse ingredient for your skin. It protects your skin cells, it lightens dark spots, it addresses hyperpigmentation, it brightens your skin, it boosts collagen production. Vitamin C serum slows down aging. If you have dry skin, you should be using vitamin C serum; if you have mature skin, you should be using vitamin C serum; if you have oily skin, you should be using vitamin C serum. @@SkinCeuticals@@elfcosmetics##vitamincserum##antiagingskincare##matureskin##skincareroutine##creatorsearchinsights ♬ original sound – Gina & Marissa