Medik8 Super C Ferulic for oily skin
Ascorbic Acid
Ferulic AcidAverage
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 brightening and antioxidant protection for your oily skin due to the presence of 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Ferulic Acid, which help even skin tone and shield from environmental stressors.
- While these ingredients offer general skincare benefits and potential seboregulation, they are not specifically targeted to address your primary concern of oily shine.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer for the best results.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before applying the next product.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive and you want to target oily shine. This helps control excess oil throughout the night.
- Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before using the serum for the very first time.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 500+ reviewsThis oil-based serum is highly regarded for brightening and smoothing skin, particularly for those with mature or sun-damaged complexions. Many users experience rapid anti-aging effects and a radiant glow. However, its high Vitamin C concentration can cause irritation and breakouts for individuals with sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Highlights
Visible brightening Often Mentioned
- “immediate glow”
- “faded dark spots”
- “brighter complexion”
Fast absorption Sometimes Noted
- “sinks in instantly”
- “non-greasy finish”
- “velvety texture”
Skin smoothing Sometimes Noted
- “smoother skin texture”
- “reduced fine lines”
- “plumper feel”
Irritation and burning Sometimes Noted
- “stinging sensation”
- “burning on application”
- “redness”
Value for money Rarely Noted
- “better value than Skinceuticals”
- “great price point”
Breakouts Rarely Noted
- “cluster of breakouts”
- “clogged pores”
Oily or sticky Rarely Noted
- “too oily”
- “sticky residue”
- “drips easily”
Unpleasant smell Rarely Noted
- “metallic scent”
- “strong chemical smell”
- “fake citrus odor”
Sources: lovi.care, lookfantastic.com, cultbeauty.com, spacenk.com, dermstore.com, elle.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Super C Ferulic work for oily skin?
Medik8 Super C Ferulic works moderately well for oily skin by offering brightening and antioxidant protection, though it is not specifically targeted to address oily shine. It is safe and unlikely to cause irritation, but a treatment for oily skin needs ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA to control excess oil and manage shine.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
Medik8 Super C Ferulic works for your oily skin because it contains 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Ferulic Acid, which help even skin tone and shield it from environmental stressors. However, since it is an average fit that does not specifically target oily shine, an ideal treatment for this skin needs ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA to control excess oil and pores, along with soothing and hydrating ingredients that feel comfortable every day.
Polymers, 2023Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008
What does Vitamin C do for oily skin?
Vitamin C helps brighten skin tone and smooth texture while providing antioxidant protection that prevents sebum oxidation. For oily skin, this type of product typically needs to be paired with oil-controlling or pore-clearing ingredients like salicylic acid or plant extracts.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
What does Ferulic Acid do for oily skin?
Ferulic acid helps protect oily skin from sun damage and environmental stress when used as part of a daytime antioxidant serum. It is often combined with vitamins C and E to boost overall defense and keep skin healthy.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine, applied after cleansing and before moisturizing. Oily skin works best with products that specifically target and control excess shine.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum in your morning routine before your moisturizer and keep retinol for the evening routine. This helps protect your oily skin during the day while avoiding irritation from mixing potent actives at the same time.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this serum in your evening routine, applying it once a week at first and carefully increasing frequency if your skin tolerates it well. It is unlikely to irritate your skin, though an oily skin type also needs ingredients that specifically target oily shine.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts for oily skin, as it has a safe makeup without harsh ingredients, though a few reviewers have occasionally reported mild breakouts. To better manage oily shine, this skin needs lightweight ingredients that help control excess oil.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A 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, 2008A 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, 2023Topical 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, 2025
Why other serums fit oily skin better
A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
Methoxymethylbutanol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Ferulic Acid, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Water, Tocopheryl Acetate
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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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.