written by: Tom Qiao
last update: January 11, 2023
Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Serum Review
Now, for the differences:
- Vichy uses pinus pinaster bark extract (a.k.a. Pycnogenol), rich in plant antioxidants and derived from French Maritime pine trees, instead of 0.5% ferulic acid
- Vichy uses hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, a lower molecular weight and "chopped up" version of its bigger brother, hyaluronic acid, instead of sodium hyaluronate
- Vichy is miles more affordable versus SkinCeuticals (twice the price!) plus the smaller bottle size limits vitamin C oxidation
Unfortunately, Vichy doesn't disclose the pH (one customer said it's 2.5) whereas SkinCeuticals is formulated at a pH between 2.0-3.5, in line with the Duke Antioxidant Patent.
Nonetheless, I'd bet that Vichy is using a pH below 3.5 since research has shown it's required for L-ascorbic acid to effectively penetrate your skin barrier (Pinnell, 2001).
Our Verdict: With over 7K+ reviews, Vichy Liftactiv Vitamin C Serum is our Editor's Choice because it's simple, effective, and affordable for everyone! Featuring 15% pure vitamin C, vitamin E, pine bark extract, and hyaluronic acid, this popular vitamin C serum is almost identical to the world-class SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic for a fraction of the price.
Article written by Tom Qiao
Tom is the founder and editor of TheDermDetective.com where he applies his decades of personal experience with skincare problems like acne and acne scarring to provide readers with practical advice and product recommendations.