Prequel Lucent-C Brightening Vitamin C Serum Versus SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic® With 15% L-Ascorbic Acid
Updated on June 22, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin C
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Prequel Lucent-C Brightening Vitamin C Serum 14 ingredients
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic® With 15% L-Ascorbic Acid 12 ingredients
Free from
Safety & Ethics
American Brand
Free from
Safety & Ethics
pH Level 2.75
American Brand
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Prequel Lucent-C Brightening Vitamin C Serum 14 ingredients
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic® With 15% L-Ascorbic Acid 12 ingredients
Ingredients, at a glance
What's in this product, and how it might affect your skin.
Notable Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients, at a glance
What's in this product, and how it might affect your skin.
Notable Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Antioxidant7 Benefits
Ferulic Acid is a plant based antioxidant. By fighting free-radicals, ferulic acid can help reduce the formation of fine lines and hyperpigmentation.
2 Benefits
Ergothioneine is an amino acid found naturally in mushrooms, grains, and meat. It has antioxidant and skin soothing properties.
Inulin is a polysaccharide (carbohydrate) with prebiotic and antioxidant properties.
Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
9 Benefits
Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant and helps with skin conditioning.
Aminomethyl Propanol is used to adjust the pH of products. It is also used as a base to create other organic compounds. Having a balanced pH is important for protecting your skin.
1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
Mannitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a humectant and moisturizes the skin. In vitro (not tested on a living organism), mannitol displays antioxidant properties.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Antioxidant7 Benefits
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
2 Concerns
Laureth-23 is created by reacting ethylene oxide with Lauryl Alcohol.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Antioxidant3 Benefits
Triethanolamine is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
Ferulic Acid is a plant based antioxidant. By fighting free-radicals, ferulic acid can help reduce the formation of fine lines and hyperpigmentation.
2 Benefits
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterAscorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidEthoxydiglycol is a synthetic solvent.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Ethoxydiglycol also helps deliver other key ingredients into the skin.
Learn more about EthoxydiglycolFerulic Acid is a plant based antioxidant. By fighting free-radicals, ferulic acid can help reduce the formation of fine lines and hyperpigmentation.
When used with Vitamin C, Ferulic Acid has shown to prevent Vitamin C from breaking down. In other words, it acts as a stabilizer.
Ferulic Acid is sometimes used to preserve food. Foods containing Ferulic Acid include: oats, rice, eggplant, citrus.
In medicine, Ferulic Acid is being studied for helping with diabetes, Alzheimer's, and cardiovascular diseases.
Learn more about Ferulic AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Prequel Lucent-C Brightening Vitamin C Serum 14 ingredients
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic® With 15% L-Ascorbic Acid 12 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Prequel Lucent-C Brightening Vitamin C Serum 14 ingredients
Claire L.
I really like this Vitamin C serum and have noticed an improvement in some of my dark spots. The serum is packaged in opaque glass to protect it...
I really like this Vitamin C serum and have noticed an improvement in some of my dark spots. The serum is packaged in opaque glass to protect it from UV. I don't like the pump very much as the formula is very liquid and it shoots out fast - something to be aware of. It also has to go on first (before other serums) as things can pill on top of it. However, for the price and effectiveness, I'm willing to overlook these things and will re-purchase.
denice
i have SUPER sensitive skin and it’s really hard to branch out with products. The oily texture wasn’t for me but it made my skin smooth/glowy with...
i have SUPER sensitive skin and it’s really hard to branch out with products. The oily texture wasn’t for me but it made my skin smooth/glowy with no major breakouts, I think if I used it longer there could’ve been better results.
Ooh, I've been wanting to try this! Thanks for the review.
Ooh, I've been wanting to try this! Thanks for the review.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic® With 15% L-Ascorbic Acid 12 ingredients
indindi
the most cruel thing that anyone has done to me was give me a free sample of this product while its retail price is half of the cost of my weekly...
the most cruel thing that anyone has done to me was give me a free sample of this product while its retail price is half of the cost of my weekly mortgage repayment 🫥
It really is so ridiculously expensive. I’m about to Try Dr. Brenner’s Vitamin C serum. Do a comparison, the ingredients are identical.
It really is so ridiculously expensive. I’m about to Try Dr. Brenner’s Vitamin C serum. Do a comparison, the ingredients are identical.
