Trader Joe’s $10 Serum Is Being Compared to a $185 Skin Care Favorite
There are some skin care products with such devoted followings that their formulas become almost as recognizable as their packaging. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is one of them, but at $185 for a one-ounce bottle, it’s also an investment.
So when Trader Joe’s introduced a $9.99 Vitamin C Serum featuring the same concentrations of three key antioxidants, it didn’t take long for people to notice.
Lora (@lorafied) recently spotted the serum at Trader Joe’s and compared it to the much pricier skincare favorite, saying, “This could be the best dupe Trader Joe’s has ever done.”
Why Trader Joe’s $10 Vitamin C Serum Is Drawing SkinCeuticals Comparisons
And at first glance, it’s easy to see why people are making the comparison. Trader Joe’s Vitamin C Serum contains 15% L-ascorbic acid, 1% tocopherols, and 0.5% ferulic acid. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic uses the same concentrations: 15% L-ascorbic acid, 1% alpha-tocopherol, and 0.5% ferulic acid.
But the similarities don’t stop there.
Trader Joe’s lists water, ethoxydiglycol, ascorbic acid, propylene glycol, polyglyceryl-10 caprylate, glycerin, triethanolamine, phenoxyethanol, ferulic acid, sunflower seed oil, tocopherol, panthenol, sodium hyaluronate, and citric acid.
SkinCeuticals lists water, ethoxydiglycol, ascorbic acid, glycerin, propylene glycol, laureth-23, tocopherol, phenoxyethanol, sodium hydroxide, ferulic acid, carnosine, panthenol, sodium hyaluronate, pentylene glycol, dandelion rhizome/root extract, maltodextrin, citric acid, and Eperua falcata bark extract.
That means the formulas share 11 listed ingredients.
That’s a meaningful amount of overlap, particularly considering the price difference. Still, similar ingredient lists don’t necessarily mean two serums will perform identically. The order and concentrations of ingredients beyond the three disclosed antioxidants vary, and factors such as pH, stability, and the overall formulation can be especially important when working with L-ascorbic acid.
So while I wouldn’t call Trader Joe’s serum an exact SkinCeuticals dupe based on an ingredient list alone, there’s certainly more behind the comparison than a viral claim.
Why Vitamin C Can Be a Valuable Addition to Your Skin Care Routine
Vitamin C has many benefits when applied topically. It’s a powerful antioxidant that can help neutralize free radical damage caused by sun exposure and pollution. It can also help support natural collagen production, fade the appearance of hyperpigmentation, and brighten the overall complexion.
As a licensed esthetician, I wouldn’t consider two products interchangeable simply because they share many of the same ingredients. How a product is formulated matters, particularly with an ingredient like L-ascorbic acid.
But Trader Joe’s has put together an interesting formula for $9.99 per one-ounce bottle. For anyone who wants to incorporate a vitamin C serum into their routine without spending $185, this one may be worth trying. At that price, you can see how it performs on your skin and decide for yourself.
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