Medik8 Super C Ferulic Review: 30% Vitamin C Serum
The Verdict
Super C Ferulic is Medik8's most concentrated vitamin C serum: a 30% ethylated ascorbic acid formula built around the classic vitamin C, ferulic acid and vitamin E antioxidant trio, aimed at mature or sun-damaged skin that already tolerates vitamin C well. It isn't the place to start if your skin is sensitive or new to vitamin C — Medik8 itself points people there towards C-Tetra instead. For experienced users wanting maximum strength from the range, it's a well-stabilised, credibly formulated option in a crowded category.
Medik8 Super C Ferulic | Vitamin C Serum | 30ml
£69.00
Medik8 Super C Ferulic is the most concentrated vitamin C serum in the Medik8 range, built around 30% ethylated ascorbic acid paired with ferulic acid and vitamin E. Formulated for mature, sun-damaged skin, it's positioned to help improve the appearance of dullness, dark spots and uneven tone. Medik8 is explicit that it is not recommended for sensitive skin — for that, the brand points to the gentler C-Tetra instead.
Quick facts
| Detail | What it is |
|---|---|
| Product type | Vitamin C serum |
| Format | 30ml dry-touch serum |
| Key actives | 30% Ethylated L-Ascorbic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Vitamin E |
| Also contains | Turmeric Root Extract |
| Suits | Mature, normal to dry skin with visible sun damage, dark spots or uneven tone; experienced vitamin C users wanting maximum strength |
| Not recommended for | Sensitive skin — Medik8 suggests C-Tetra instead |
| When to use | Mornings, on cleansed dry skin, before moisturiser and SPF |
| Price band | Premium — the top of Medik8's vitamin C range; see the product page for current pricing |
What's actually in the formula
The headline ingredient is 30% ethylated L-ascorbic acid — an ester form of vitamin C that Medik8 selects for stability. Straight L-ascorbic acid is notoriously prone to oxidising, turning yellow or brown and losing potency once a bottle is opened; the ethylated form is designed to hold up better over the life of the product, which is part of why Medik8 positions this as its most advanced vitamin C formula rather than simply its highest-percentage one.
Vitamin C is paired with ferulic acid and vitamin E — a well-established antioxidant combination in skincare, where each ingredient is generally understood to support the others' stability and antioxidant activity when formulated together. Turmeric Root Extract is also included, contributing to the formula's brightening positioning. Together, the aim is a serum that helps improve the appearance of dullness, uneven tone and the visible effects of environmental exposure, rather than a single-ingredient vitamin C shot.
It's worth being clear on what "30%" actually describes: it's the concentration of the ethylated ascorbic acid ingredient in the formula, not a claim about how much of that reaches active skin cells or how it performs against a lower-percentage, non-ethylated vitamin C. Percentage alone doesn't tell the whole story with any active ingredient — formulation, pH and stability all play a part — but within Medik8's own range, 30% ethylated ascorbic acid is the highest concentration of vitamin C the brand offers, which is why Super C Ferulic is positioned as the step up from C-Tetra and Daily Radiance Vitamin C rather than a direct swap for either.
Texture and how it feels
It's a lightweight, fast-absorbing, dry-touch serum rather than an oily or tacky one — it's designed to sit comfortably under moisturiser and SPF without pilling. A warming or tingling sensation on first application is normal with a serum this concentrated, and typically settles within seconds; if it doesn't, or if you see redness or discomfort that persists, that's a sign to stop use and, if needed, get in touch with our team.
Who it's formulated for — and who it isn't
- Mature skin showing visible signs of sun damage, dullness or uneven tone
- Experienced vitamin C users who already tolerate the ingredient well and want to step up to a stronger formula
- Normal to dry skin types wanting more intensive daily antioxidant support
Medik8 is explicit that Super C Ferulic is not recommended for sensitive skin because of its potency. If your skin is reactive, easily irritated, or you're new to vitamin C altogether, the brand's own guidance points towards C-Tetra as the gentler alternative — it's worth starting there and working up, rather than beginning with the strongest formula in the range.
How it compares within the Medik8 range
Medik8's vitamin C line-up is built in steps rather than as a single product. C-Tetra and C-Tetra Luxe use a gentler vitamin C derivative and are the sensible entry point for sensitive or first-time users; Daily Radiance Vitamin C is a lighter, everyday option. Super C Ferulic sits above all three as the most concentrated formula, aimed at people who already have a vitamin C serum in their routine and want the brand's strongest version. For a fuller comparison across the range, see our Best Medik8 Vitamin C Serum guide, or browse the full Medik8 brand hub.
Outside the Medik8 range, Super C Ferulic is often mentioned alongside SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, one of the best-known vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid serums on the market and a formula built on the same antioxidant trio. See our Super C Ferulic vs SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic comparison for how the two stack up on ingredients, texture and who each suits.
The broader point worth making is that a vitamin C, ferulic acid and vitamin E combination isn't unique to any one brand — it's a well-established antioxidant approach that shows up across several respected serums at different price points. What varies between them is the specific form of vitamin C used, its concentration, the supporting ingredients, and how the formula is stabilised. Super C Ferulic's contribution to that category is the ethylated ascorbic acid, which is Medik8's answer to the stability question that comes with any high-percentage vitamin C serum.
How to use it
Apply a few drops in the morning to cleansed, dry skin, before moisturiser and SPF. Because it's a high-strength formula, it's worth patch-testing before working it into a daily routine, especially if you're building up to it from a gentler vitamin C serum rather than starting fresh. Vitamin C serums like this one are typically used once daily rather than layered with other active-heavy steps in the same routine — if you're not sure how it fits with what you're already using, our team can help you sequence a routine around it.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of vitamin C is in Medik8 Super C Ferulic?
It's formulated with 30% ethylated L-ascorbic acid, making it the most concentrated vitamin C serum in Medik8's range.
Is Medik8 Super C Ferulic suitable for sensitive skin?
No. Medik8 does not recommend it for sensitive skin because of its potency, and suggests C-Tetra as a gentler alternative for reactive or first-time vitamin C users.
How does Super C Ferulic compare to C-Tetra and C-Tetra Luxe?
C-Tetra and C-Tetra Luxe use a gentler vitamin C derivative and suit sensitive or first-time users. Super C Ferulic is the strongest formula in the range, aimed at people who already tolerate vitamin C well and want maximum strength — see our C-Tetra review for the comparison.
Can I use Super C Ferulic if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, please contact our team for advice before use.
When should I apply it in my routine?
In the morning, on cleansed dry skin, before moisturiser and SPF. A brief warming or tingling sensation on application is normal and should settle within seconds.
The Skintique Academy view
Super C Ferulic earns its place as Medik8's flagship vitamin C serum: the ethylated ascorbic acid is a genuinely more stable form of vitamin C than the standard L-ascorbic acid used lower down the range, and pairing it with ferulic acid and vitamin E puts it in good company alongside other well-regarded vitamin C, E and ferulic acid formulas. The trade-off is potency — this is not a gentle introduction to vitamin C, and Medik8's own advice to steer sensitive or first-time users towards C-Tetra is worth taking seriously rather than reaching straight for the strongest option in the range. For mature skin that already gets on with vitamin C and wants to step up, it's a credible, well-stabilised choice. As always, if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or unsure how it fits your existing routine, our team is here to help — just get in touch.