SkinCeuticals Serum 10 AOX+ Review
The Verdict
Serum 10 AOX+ is SkinCeuticals' entry point into vitamin C, not its strongest option — a lower concentration of L-ascorbic acid and ferulic acid than C E Ferulic or Phloretin CF, formulated for sensitive, sensitised or first-time users who want a daily antioxidant step without the intensity of the brand's higher-strength serums. It's a sensible starting point for dull or combination skin easing into actives; anyone already comfortable with vitamin C, or dealing with more pronounced discolouration, ageing or blemishes, is likely better served by C E Ferulic, Phloretin CF or Silymarin CF instead.
SkinCeuticals Serum 10 AOX+ | Vitamin C Serum | 30ml
£105.00
SkinCeuticals Serum 10 AOX+ is the gentlest entry point into SkinCeuticals' vitamin C range: a 30ml, morning-use antioxidant serum combining 10% L-ascorbic acid (pure vitamin C) with 0.2% ferulic acid in a lightweight, fast-absorbing base. It's formulated for dull, sensitised and combination skin, and for anyone new to leave-on vitamin C before stepping up to a formula like C E Ferulic or Phloretin CF.
What is SkinCeuticals Serum 10 AOX+?
Serum 10 AOX+ sits in SkinCeuticals' antioxidant serum family alongside C E Ferulic, Phloretin CF and Silymarin CF, but at a lower vitamin C concentration than any of them. SkinCeuticals positions it as the range's most accessible starting point — a fragrance-free, paraben-free formula built for skin that's sensitive, sensitised, or simply new to daily vitamin C, rather than a maximum-strength option. It's designed as a once-daily morning step, applied before moisturiser and SPF, and it's suitable across normal, dry, combination, oily and sensitive skin.
Key ingredients
- L-ascorbic acid (10%) — pure vitamin C, included here at a lower concentration than SkinCeuticals' other daytime serums to suit sensitive or first-time users, while still working as a daily antioxidant step against everyday environmental exposure such as UV and pollution
- Ferulic acid (0.2%) — a plant-derived antioxidant included alongside the vitamin C to support the formula's stability, at a lower level than in either C E Ferulic or Phloretin CF
Together, these actives are formulated to help improve the appearance of dull, uneven-looking skin and support the skin's own defences day to day. SkinCeuticals states that once absorbed, the serum remains active on skin for a minimum of 72 hours, which is why it's applied once each morning rather than reapplied through the day. The formula is lightweight and non-oily, and layers under moisturiser and sunscreen without leaving residue.
Who it's for
- Anyone trying a leave-on vitamin C serum for the first time
- Sensitive or sensitised skin that reacts to higher-strength actives
- Combination or normal skin wanting a lightweight AM antioxidant step
- Dull or uneven-looking skin looking for a daily brightening step, without starting on a higher-strength formula
If your skin tolerates Serum 10 AOX+ comfortably over time, SkinCeuticals' higher-strength options such as C E Ferulic or Phloretin CF may be worth considering as a next step — see the comparison below. If oiliness or blemishes are part of the picture too, Silymarin CF is SkinCeuticals' own pick for that skin type instead.
Who should patch test first
Even at a lower strength, this is still a leave-on vitamin C serum. A patch test on the inner forearm, left for 24 hours, is worth doing before applying it to the full face, particularly if you've reacted to vitamin C or other actives before. If irritation is more than mild or doesn't settle, pause use and seek advice.
How to use it
Apply a few drops to clean, dry skin each morning, before moisturiser and sunscreen. As with SkinCeuticals' other daytime antioxidant serums, it's formulated to work alongside daily SPF, not replace it — vitamin C serums are not a substitute for sun protection. Store the bottle away from direct light and heat; expect the formula's colour to shift slightly over time as the vitamin C naturally oxidises, which is a normal characteristic of ascorbic acid formulas rather than a sign it's stopped working.
Serum 10 AOX+ vs the rest of the SkinCeuticals vitamin C range
| Serum | Key actives | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Serum 10 AOX+ | 10% L-ascorbic acid, 0.2% ferulic acid | Sensitive or first-time vitamin C users, dull or combination skin |
| C E Ferulic | Higher-strength vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid formula | Normal, dry or sensitive skin ready for a stronger antioxidant serum |
| Phloretin CF | Vitamin C, phloretin and ferulic acid formula | Normal, oily or combination skin dealing with discolouration |
| Silymarin CF | Vitamin C, silymarin, ferulic acid and salicylic acid formula | Oily, combination or blemish-prone skin |
DATA GAP: exact vitamin E, phloretin and salicylic acid percentages for C E Ferulic, Phloretin CF and Silymarin CF are confirmed on their own review pages rather than repeated here — see each linked review for the sourced concentrations.
Read the full reviews for C E Ferulic, Phloretin CF and Silymarin CF, or see the best SkinCeuticals vitamin C serum guide for the full range side by side. For vitamin C options across other brands stocked at Skintique, our guide to the best vitamin C serums in the UK covers the wider market. For the rest of the SkinCeuticals range, start with our SkinCeuticals brand overview.
Safety, sensitivity and pregnancy
Serum 10 AOX+ is formulated to be gentler than SkinCeuticals' other daytime vitamin C serums, but mild tingling on first use is still possible with any leave-on vitamin C product; if irritation is more than mild or doesn't settle, pause use and seek advice. It's designed to be layered under moisturiser and SPF rather than used alone, and it's not indicated for use at night. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, please contact our team for advice before use.