Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum vs. Skinceuticals C E Ferulic

~AG~

C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum is one of Drunk Elephant's best-selling product. It costs US$80 (S$109) for 30 ml of product. It is an expensive product! But it is worth having as part of your skincare regimen. 

This Vitamin C day serum contains fruit enzymes and antioxidant to combat environmental aggressors and free radicals. Active ingredients include:
-  Vitamin C, ferulic acid and vitamin E: firm and brighten skin 
- Chronocyclin: has antioxidant benefits for more youthful-looking skin.
- Pumpkin ferment and pomegranate extract: to enzymatically dissolve dead surface skin cells
- Vitis vinifera (grape juice): antioxidant improes skin tone.
- Indian gooseberry: that helps slow signs of oxidative stress 
- Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer: delivers excellent hydration and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

This Drunk Elephant serum is similar to award-winning Skinceuticals C E Ferulic. So below is a comparison of the two Vitamin C Serums.

Similarities
1) Both comes in 30 ml bottle 

2) Both serums contains 15% pure Vitamin C, 1% Vitamin E and 0.5% feluric acid.

3) Both serums has a dark smokey scent. Though Skinceuticals has a stronger scent. 

4) Both claims to have an reservoir effect on the skin. Both can stay on skin for 72 hours and not be washed off. 

5) Both has a slightly sticky texture. 

Differences 
1) Skinceuticals comes in a brown glass packaging with a dropper. Drunk Elephant C-Firma comes in a plastic packaging with a twistable pump. This makes the Drunk Elephant a more convenient product to travel with. 

2) Skinceuticals is considerably more expensive. It costs S$230 while Drunk Elephant costs less than half at S$109. 

3) Drunk Elephant C-Firma does not cause make skin to be irritated. When I was using the Skinceuticals C E Ferulic and had used AHA scrub, my skin felt a slight stinging. 

4) Drunk Elephant C-Firma works better for my combination skin, as Skinceuticals seemed to cause some breakouts. That is why I stopped using Skinceuticals C E Ferulic. 

Overall, I would highly recommend Drunk Elephant C-Firma as part of your daily skincare routine. It helps to brighten skin tone and firms the skin. If you are in your 30s like me, it is good to incorporate some anti-aging products to your skincare regimen. Thought Drunk Elephant C-Firma is not cheap, it is worth buying. Unlike Skinceuticals C E Ferulic which is even more expensive and it not suitable for my sensitive, combination skin. 

REVIEW: Skinceuticals C E Ferulic

~AG~

Bought this popular Skinceuticals C E Ferulic to try out. This is the first product from Skinceuticals that I have tried. Ever since falling in love with Derma-RX Max C, Vitamin C serum has become an essential part of my skincare regimen. Vitamin C helps to brighten my skintone and counteracts free radicals which causes premature aging. This Skinceuticals C E Ferulic is suppose to be one of the best Vitamin C serums in the market. It is an established product, having won 24 beauty awards.  Wow! That is a major feat.

This daytime Vitamin C serum delivers advanced environmental protection and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and brightens skin's complexion. The serum contains 15% pure Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), 1% Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) and 0.5% feluric acid. Their Duke Antioxidant patent formula delivers effective and stable Vitamin C to the skin. Once absorbed, this serum remains effective for a minimum of 72 hours. I have not heard of this claim from other serum.  

So instead of using this serum in the morning as directed, I use 2-3 drops of Skinceuticals C E Ferulic at night. Why do I not follow the directions? Because Vitamin C makes skin more susceptible to sunburn. Since I do not wash my face in the morning, only use toner and continue the rest of my skin care regimen. Thus, the serum is effectively on my skin for a longer time. 

The serum (30ml) comes in a dark glass bottle with a dropper. The first thing I noticed about Skinceuticals C E Ferulic is that it has a strong smoky scent. I would say it reminds me of smoky wood. Been using it daily for over three months, and there is no noticeable skin improvements. The serum does has a slight tacky feeling upon application, and it takes a while for the product to be fully absorbed into the skin. After using Skinceuticals C E Ferulic, my skin has been more sensitive to some products. So, I avoid using any facial polish or scrub that contains AHAS and BHAs. 

Overall, I would not repurchase this serum because it is too expensive and does not show significant results. It does not brighten my skin tone.  Moreover, the texture of the serum is rather sticky. Vitamin E might be detrimental for those with acne-prone skin as it can clog the pores. 

NEW BUY: Drunk Elephant Haul

~AG~
MG and I have been eyeing on Drunk Elephants product for a while. The packaging of their products is simple, and yet it is eye-catching with the colorful top. Drunk Elephants products are frequently raved online for being effective in improving skin clarity and texture. On my recent trip to the States, we decided to buy Drunk Elephant products as it is not available in Singapore. I bought two of their products: C-Firma Day Serum and C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Serum. While, MG chose four products: C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Serum, T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial, Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil and T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Night Serum. Drunk Elephant's products are pricey but we have such high expectations from them.  We cannot wait to empty our current skincare products and try these Drunk Elephants purchases.

C-Firma Day Serum 
US$80 (S$109)
30 ml
Instyle 2017 Best Beauty Buys
This Vitamin C day serum contains 15% l-ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid and 1% Vitamin E to brighten and firm skin. It also contains fruit enzymes and antioxidant to combat environmental aggressors and free radicals. C-Firma Day Serum is one of Drunk Elephant's best-selling products.

C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Serum 
US$64 (S$88)
15 ml
This Eye Serum contains 8 peptides, 5 forms of Vitamin C and cucumber extract to brighten and firm the eye area. This product has rave reviews to combat dark circles. 

T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial 
US80 (S$109)
50 ml
-- Allure 2017 Best of Beauty Award Winners
-- Instyle 2017 Readers' Choice Beauty Awards
-- Into the Gloss Top 25 Winners 
This award-winning T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial is Drunk Elephant's most famous product. It contains 25% AHA and 2% BHA to resurface skin and improve skin texture. The AHAs and BHAs in Babyfacial are a combination of Glycolic, Tartaric, Lactic, Citric and Salicylic acids. AHAs works on the skin surface while BHAs penetrate into the skin's surface to unclog pores. This product is supposedly a game changer for at-home facial as it smooth skin texture, minimize fine lines and wrinkles, and improve skin clarity.

 

Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil
US$40(S$55)
15ml 
This facial oil nourishes and moisturizes skin to create a more youthful glow. Rich in antioxidants, this pure Marula oil can be easily absorbed into the skin. This good-for-skin oil helps to minimize fine lines, wrinkles, redness and dryness.

T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Night Serum 
US$134 (S$182)
50 ml 
This night serum contains 12% AHA & BHA to gently lift dead skin cells and resurface skin texture. As with chemical exfoliator, this product helps to dramatically diminish fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, oiliness and visible pores. Seems like a powerful skincare product. This product can be combined with Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil for maximum effectiveness. 

Images courtesy of Drunk Elephant

NEW BUY: Skinceuticals C E Ferulic

~AG~

Bought this award-winning serum from Skinceuticals. The C E Ferulic Serum has won a total of 24 beauty awards! This is the most expensive serum I have ever bought at Euro 145.98 (S$231). This daytime Vitamin C serum delivers advanced environmental protection and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and brightens skin's complexion. Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum claims to help neutralize free radicals, which accelerates skin aging, induced by UVA/UVB, infrared radiation and ozone pollution. This serum is suitable for normal, dry and sensitive skin types. 

The serum contains 15% pure Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), 1% Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) and 0.5% feluric acid. Their Duke Antioxidant patent formula delivers effective and stable Vitamin C to the skin. The high potency combination claims to show visible anti-aging results. Once absorbed, this serum remains effective for a minimum of 72 hours. I have not heard of this claim from other serum.  The direction recommends to use 4-5 drops in the morning on the face, neck and chest. I have been only using it for a week, so will have to use it for at least a month to give it a fair review. Stay tuned for my review of this popular Vitamin C Serum. 

REVIEW: Klairs Freshly Juice Vitamin C Serum

 ~MG~

Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum is a highly raved online by korean beauty youtubers and by wishtrend. Bought it in Korea at Aland Myeongdong on March 2017.

Started using it in August, it has been three months of usage already. Initially I only used it at night and only 2 drops of serum because I wanted to test whether it would irritate my skin. It contains 5% of Vitamin C and is gentle enough for sensitive skin. I did not see any adverse reaction so I started to use it in the morning too but I always made sure to use an SPF product afterwards. It is important to use a sunscreen after using Vitamin C serum, as the latter will make our skin more sensitive to the sun. Since I had no bad reaction after using the serum twice a day, I decided to increase to 4 drops during each use. Despite the increase in product usage, it did not break me out.

A slight warm sensation can be felt when I pat the product onto my face but it is actually normal because that means pure Vitamin C is being absorbed into my skin. It does feel slightly sticky, but once you apply it onto your face, the tackiness will go away. I apply it after my toner, essence, eye cream and before my moisturizer/facial oil.

Klairs Vitamin C Serum is the best Vitamin C serum that I have used so far! It made my face more radiant, and helped to fade my acne scars rapidly. Acne scar is a big problem I always deal with. All my acne, even if I did not pop it, will always gift me a scar at the end. I feel like this is the more affordable version of the Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution which I loved and went through two bottles. The Kiehl's retails at USD50 (S$68) for 30ml while Klairs Vitamin C Serum retails at USD23 (S$32) for 35ml. Klairs is half the price of Kiehl's Serum. Even though the packaging of both products looks similar, in that it comes in clear packaging and has dropper applicator. Another difference is that Klairs Vitamin C Serum comes in a plastic packaging which makes it convenient to travel with, while Kiehl's Solution came in a glass packaging.

Highly recommend to all acne prone people who always have acne scars! One bottle of Klairs Serum can lasts at least six months. For those with very sensitive skin, I would suggest you to use only 2 drops and mix it with your moisturizer. For those new to Vitmain C product, I would suggest you to start conservatively, starting with 2 drops first and only increasing the number of droplets if the product does not irritate your skin. For all skin types, I would not go over 5 drops though.

Nature Republic Vitamin C Facial Mist

~MG~

AG got me this facial mist while on her trip to Seoul. I already used up one bottle of it but am still trying to finish up hers because she also bought one for herself, which later she decided not to use because her skin is rather sensitive. 

Using it day and night, this mini bottle of 50ml only lasted me for about 1 month. 

I kinda feel this facial mist is not fit to be called a 'Natural Vitamin Facial Mist' because its scent is overpowering which might scare sensitive skin people (hint hint *AG!*). Well... even to not-so sensitive skin person like me, I feel that the scent is abit too much. Sometimes while spritzing it on my face, I feel that the strong scent will make me break out instead because it smells too much and has an non-natural and non-gentle scent. So far, it hasn't break me out! Thankfully!

What I only like about this product is its mini size and the plastic bottle which makes it perfect for travelling. 

Would I repurchase it? That would be a no, because I prefer a more natural facial mist, even in its scent, and one that has better moisturizing benefit.

REVIEW PART 2: Ole Henriksen Truth is in the Eyes Vitamin C Peel Concentrate

~AG~

This is an update of my experience with Ole Henriksen Truth is in the Eyes Vitamin C Peel Concentrate. 

Pictures of my under eye area. 
As you can see there are noticeable milia under my eye area. It is more obvious in the second picture.

JULY 5

SEP 15  

I started using it in July, once a day at night. Generally, I use half a pea-size amount. With this Vitamin C peel concentrate, I find that it stings the eye area if I apply too much.  

It has been almost 3 months and my milia is still there. Some people said it takes some time to see the effects of skincare products. For me, I like to see instant effects. My skin is quite receptive to skincare products. I usually give it a month to give me the desired result. However, I decided to give this Vitamin C peel concentrate a longer testing time. I have been using this product consistently for three months now.

 

So what do I have to say about this product? 

Ole Henriksen Truth is in the Eyes Vitamin C Peel Concentrate is a major disappointment. I will not recommend it to anyone. Totally not worth the USD$42. The lactic & glycolic acid are supposed to act as exfoliating agents, and the saleslady at Sephora told me that it will help get rid of milia. The Vitamin C was supposed to help brighten the under eye area, but it did not do anything for my dark circles.

 

I will finish using the Vitaminc C peel concentrate because it was a pricy purchase. but I will not re-purchase. Please do not waste your money and time on this product by Ole Henriksen.

 

Do you know of any effective solution to getting rid of persistent milia? Please let me know. I am in need of your help!

 

Ole Henriksen Truth is in the Eyes Vitaminc C Peel Concentrate Product Details

Review Part 1: Ole Henriksen Truth is in the Eyes Vitamin C Peel Concentrate

 

REVIEW PART 1: Ole Henriksen Truth is in the Eyes Vitamin C Peel Concentrate

~AG~

I've been using this since June 26, that is three weeks of use so far. Since Vitamin C makes the skin sensitive when exposed to sunlight, I only use this product at night. Though the direction does say to use it day and night. But since I do not have an eye cream that has SPF, I skip the day time use. 

I apply a small amount in the eye area. Targeting the dark circles and milia. It has a gel texture that is easily absorbed by the under eye area. I have had no adverse reaction to this product. The citrus scent is light and not too overwhelming. 

For those of you who are not familiar with Milia. Milia is those oil seed that are found on the under eye area. For me, it usually happens when I use an eye cream that is not suitable for my eye area. A "thick" eye cream is usually the culprit. Sometimes, the milia does go away on its own. But there are times when they are persistent. I am experiencing a few of those persistent ones now. I have been plagued by it for over two months.  (Pictured below) The pictures are not that clear but you can see some spots on my under eye area. The other spots closer to my cheeks area are my acne. 

The saleslady at Sephora said that milia are dead skin and oil trapped under the skin. So she recommend that I exfoliate the under eye area. She said this Ole Henriksen Truth is in the Eyes Vitamin C Peel Concentrate helps her get rid of milia. I asked her how long it will take to see result. She said for her, it took about a month to see noticeable differences. She also mentioned that this product also help with dark circles. 

So far, I have not seen any noticeable differences with my dark circles and milia. Maybe it is because I only use it once a day? Anyway, I will use it longer to see whether this product is worth recommending to you reader. Stay tuned.

Ole Henriksen Truth is in the Eyes Vitamin C Peel Concentrate

~AG~

A peel concentrate for the under eye area that offers a natural, gentle antidote to dark circles and fine lines.

Created by Ole Henriksen (skin guru to the stars) to address the specific needs of the eye region—specifically signs of fatigue and age—this exfoliating formula will revolutionize skincare for the under eye region. Because the tissue around the eye is so fragile, it is often recommended NOT to exfoliate that area. This groundbreaking blend represents a new realm of possibility for more youthful skin around the eyes.

-Pepha Tight (Algae Extract): Helps firm skin and boost collagen production.
-Regu-Age (Rice Bran & Soybean Protein): Strengthens under-eye tissue and improves circulation to reduce dark circles and puffiness.
-Lactic & Glycolic Acid (AHA's): Gently exfoliate skin to reduce and prevent wrinkles.
-Vitamin C: Naturally lightens, brightens and tightens skin.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua/ Eau), Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Potassium, Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Saccharide Isomerate , Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Oxido Reductases, Algae Extract, Pullulan, Allantoin, Calcium Ascorbate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sorbitol, Carrageenan, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Oleth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid.

The sales lady at Sephora recommended me this product that she claims can get rid of milia. I have been having persistent milia under my eyelids. She said it is due to the clogged pores & oil gland that is congested. She said this product works for her because it somehow "exfoliate" the area. This product is designed specifically for the under eye area.  It retails for US$42. The Ole Henriksen Vitamin C Line is rather well-known in the beauty market. So I was excited to try this product. She said it takes about a month to see the result. I am been using it nightly for two days now. I don't use it in the day time because I heard Vitamin C makes your skin more susceptible to the sun rays. The direction also mentions to use an SPF for the eye area on top of the peel concentrate for daytime use. Since I don't have a SPF eye cream, I decided to dedicate it solely for nighttime use. 

I will come back in a month to report on the results, and of any adverse reactions. Wish me luck!
Please stay tuned :)