Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester CCC+ Ferulic Brightening Under-Eye Cream for oily acne-prone skin
Ascorbic Acid Ester
Ferulic Acid
Peptides
Avocado Oil
Squalene
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other eye cares fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate benefits for your oily skin, with 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Ferulic Acid providing antioxidant activity and mild exfoliation to help with oiliness and skin tone. While beneficial for general skin health, these ingredients do not directly address your primary concerns of acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The formulation includes ingredients like Ascorbic Acid and Citric Acid, which can offer some brightening and smoothing effects, but their potential for irritation means they are not ideal for targeting specific skin issues.
- The product is generally safe for your skin, with a low risk of irritation.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.6k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users frequently praise this eye cream for its ability to brighten the under-eye area and reduce the appearance of dark circles, specifically targeting brown, blue, and red discoloration. Many find it lightweight and effective for puffiness, though some users with sensitive or dry skin reported irritation and insufficient hydration.
Highlights
Brightens eyes Mostly Mentioned
- “noticeably brightened my skin”
- “looks a lot brighter”
- “so brightening”
- “refreshed and brightened”
Lightweight formula Often Mentioned
- “absorbs very fast”
- “light and absorbs quickly”
- “fast-absorbing”
- “sinks in beautifully”
Reduces dark circles Often Mentioned
- “dark circles are less noticeable”
- “lighten my under eye dark circles”
- “diminishes appearance of dark circles”
- “faded dark circles”
Reduces puffiness Sometimes Noted
- “makes my under eye less puffy”
- “minimizes puffiness”
- “puff-free”
- “bags are firmer”
Smooths texture Sometimes Noted
- “improves skin texture”
- “leaving my eye area smooth”
- “crepey skin looks better”
- “firming effect”
Expensive price Sometimes Noted
- “too expensive”
- “high price tag”
- “pricey for the amount”
- “investment skincare”
Causes irritation Rarely Noted
- “horrible reaction”
- “burning sensation”
- “irritated my skin”
- “caused redness”
No results Rarely Noted
- “disappointing results”
- “didn't notice a difference”
- “no change in circles”
- “waste of money”
Not hydrating Rarely Noted
- “dried my skin out”
- “doesn't hydrate as much”
- “not moisturizing enough”
- “emphasized dryness”
Sources: lovi.care, macys.com, perriconemd.com, dermstore.com, ulta.com, lovelyskin.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester CCC+ Ferulic Brightening Under-Eye Cream work for oily acne-prone skin?
This eye cream works moderately well for oily acne-prone skin, offering antioxidant protection and mild brightening while carrying a low risk of irritation. Because it does not directly target breakouts or manage excess oil, an eye care product for this skin type needs targeted soothing and oil-balancing ingredients that keep pores clear.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This eye cream works for your oily acne-prone skin because 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Ferulic Acid provide antioxidant activity and mild exfoliation to help manage oiliness and even out skin tone. To work even better for this skin type, a product of this type needs powerful soothing ingredients that address acne and blemishes directly, along with lighter hydrating components that do not clog pores.
Polymers, 2023Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008
What does Ascorbic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Ascorbic acid helps brighten dark spots and calms oily, breakout-prone skin when used regularly. It is generally well-tolerated and may help improve skin texture and reduce blemishes.
What does Ferulic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Ferulic acid helps protect oily, acne-prone skin from sun damage and supports recovery after breakouts or treatments. This ingredient reduces redness and dark marks while helping to calm irritation.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This eye cream works as an average fit for your oily acne-prone skin, offering moderate antioxidant benefits while leaving room for products that target breakouts more directly. To care for this skin type properly, a product needs blemish-fighting ingredients and oil-balancing agents that clear pores while keeping the skin calm and smooth.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream with retinol, applying the retinol first and following with this eye cream after it absorbs. This product is generally safe with a low risk of irritation, but an eye cream for oily acne-prone skin works best when it includes targeted blemish-clearing ingredients and soothing agents to prevent breakouts.
How often should I use this cream?
This eye cream works for your oily skin, though other products fit it better, and it is generally safe with a low risk of irritation. Oily, acne-prone skin needs products with targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and oil-controlling elements to properly manage breakouts.
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause purging, though it does not directly target your breakouts. Oily acne-prone skin needs products with ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to effectively clear blemishes and prevent pimples.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
A multi-component dissolving microneedle patch loaded with glabridin, 3-O-ethyl-L-ascorbic acid, and tranexamic acid effectively reduced chloasma and age spots while demonstrating safety in clinical evaluation, alongside significant antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, and melanin-reduction effects in vitro and in vivo.
Polymers, 2023A topical antioxidant solution of 15% L-ascorbic acid, 1% alpha-tocopherol, and 0.5% ferulic acid provides significant photoprotection against solar-simulated UV radiation in human skin compared to its vehicle.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008Pretreatment with a topical antioxidant mixture of vitamin C, ferulic acid, and phloretin attenuated ultraviolet-induced sunburn cell formation, thymine dimer formation, matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression, p53 protein expression, and the suppression of CD1a-expressing Langerhans cells in human skin compared to vehicle control.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021A novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid showed similar tolerance and efficacy compared with clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in subjects with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Treatment with 14% ferulic acid and 12% l-ascorbic acid significantly reduced pigmentation and erythema while improving hydration and elasticity in 20 women with photoaged skin, with neither acid proving definitively more effective overall though ascorbic acid showed slightly greater skin lightening.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Combining fractional microneedle radiofrequency with a topical antioxidant serum significantly reduced wrinkle severity by 29.9% versus 18.0%, increased elasticity by 12.9% versus 2.3%, and improved aesthetic outcomes in 31 participants compared to radiofrequency and placebo.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2025Topical ferulic acid-containing formulations effectively reduce skin erythema, hyperpigmentation, and signs of aging in adults compared to baseline or alternative conditions.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2025Topical cream containing saffron extract and avocado oil improved wrinkle grading, reduced nasolabial fold area and volume, and increased skin elasticity in twenty healthy volunteers over 12 weeks without allergic reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Topical treatment with SSFAO 50% or avocado oil increased wound contraction, reepithelialization, collagen density, and tensile strength while showing anti-inflammatory activity compared to petroleum jelly in rats.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013A single use of an alpha-tocopherol-enriched rinse-off product strongly increases alpha-tocopherol levels in skin barrier lipids maintained for at least 24 hours and significantly inhibits squalene photooxidation in human volunteers compared to a control product.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2005The investigated actives incorporated into alkyl polyglucoside emulsifier-stabilized creams showed no skin irritation and provided increased skin hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss in 76 healthy volunteers.
Vojnosanitetski Pregled, 2016Topical treatment with a mixed RetinSphere - vitamin E formulation significantly decreased lipid peroxidation levels and oxidized squalene percentage, reduced interleukin-1α concentration in lesional areas, and led to clinical improvement in 18 patients with mild comedonal acne.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2014
Why other eye cares fit oily acne-prone skin better
Topical UP256 cream containing 0.5% bakuchiol administered twice daily significantly reduced inflammatory lesions and improved acne-related post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in 13 subjects with mild or moderate facial acne.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2021Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023
Ingredients
Water, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Persea Gratissima Oil Avocado Oil, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Lecithin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid, Escin, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Metabisulfite, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Citric Acid, Astaxanthin Extract, Tocopherol, Phytic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Potassium Sorbate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Beta-Sitosterol, Squalene
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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