SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF Vitamin C Salicylic Acid Antioxidant Serum
Works for
Evens skin toneAscorbic acid, Ferulic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Improves skin clarity, radiance, and uneven skin tone”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: ascorbic acid.
In addition, this product contains salicylic acid. This ingredient (ingredients) might help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the effect, if any, is likely to be small.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: ferulic acid.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-agingAscorbic acid, Ferulic acidWorks well
“This oil-free formula is clinically demonstrated to reduce oil oxidation by up to 76%, as well as reduce oiliness, refine skin texture, and visibly improve skin clarity and fine lines.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains ascorbic acid.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: ferulic acid.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
MoisturizingPropylene glycolNot delivered
“Years of research and development have allowed the concoction to be highly effective and thorough, with 15% Pure Vitamin C helping to brighten and encourage a barrier against harsh external aggressors.”
Does not contain good ingredients to help with moisturization.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Ascorbic acid, Ferulic acidWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbic acid, ferulic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Anti-blemishSide benefit the brand mentions · Salicylic acidWorks well
“0.5% Salicylic Acid: a beta-hydroxy acid provides effective exfoliation, refines pores, and helps reduce the formation of blemishes.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Alcohol denat.Medium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
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Ingredients
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Water~40–60%
Alcohol denat.~8.8–13.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Ascorbic acid~4.1–6.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidPropylene glycol~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolDipropylene glycol~1.8–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolLaureth-23~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Laureth-23Silybum marianum fruit extract~1–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium citrate~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateSalicylic acid~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidFerulic acid~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A potent anti-oxidant that has been shown to be effective in neutralizing free radicals in skin. There seem to have a synergetic effect of ferulic acid, vitamin E and C, meaning that when the ingredients are used together, they enhance each other's ability protect the skin against free radicals. Ferulic acid also helps to stabilize other ingredients - including vitamins C and E. It can help to even out the skin tone. Ferulic acid is approved for use as a sunscreen ingredient in Japan in concentrations up to 10%
More about Ferulic acidIngredient list view
Water, Alcohol denat., Ascorbic acid, Propylene glycol, Dipropylene glycol, Laureth-23, Silybum marianum fruit extract, Sodium citrate, Salicylic acid, Ferulic acid
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| SkinCeuticalsSilymarin CF Vitamin C Salicylic Acid Antioxidant SerumYOUR PRODUCT | Glow Jar8% AM Vitamin C Serum | Urban Skin Rx Pro StrengthSuper C Brightening Serum | La Roche-PosayPure Vitamin C Face Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 95% | 84% | 84% |
| Price | $185.00 | $41.38−$143.62 | $58.00−$127.00 | $44.91−$140.09 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Lactic Acid | Niacinamide | Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | High | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Clinique Fresh Pressed Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C 10%Reform Skincare HYAL Vitamin C + E Serum
Product summary
"SkinCeuticals - Silymarin CF Vitamin C Salicylic Acid Antioxidant Serum" is effective for: Evens skin tone, Anti-aging and Anti-blemish
Ingredient callouts
- This product also contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). It can be an effective active for anti-aging and evening out the skin tone, but in this product it is used for stabilizing other ingredients in the formulation. In this concentration (15.00% (declared)) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
Price
The product retails from 139.99£ up to 184.99£ in the United Kingdom and from 169.00$ up to 217.50$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 6A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
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