Taking care of your skin is more important than hiding the blemishes away under a pile of make-up! Wouldn’t you agree. Who doesn’t desire skin that glows from within and smiles on the outside. A women blessed with good skin wears it with confidence and they own it, but not everybody has this privilege. Just like the rest of your body, skin requires care, nourishment, protection, and love.
You might be wondering why we are comparing a luxury priced brand and a much cheaper option. Well, both Maelove and Skinceuticals are well known for their ferulic acid ( vitamin c ) serums. Maeloves glow maker is often seen as a potential alternative dupe for skinceuticals expensive and famous CE ferulic acid. Let’s find out whether it can compete and have an effect on your skin at a much lower price point.
Just like a healthy diet, regular exercise, applying better quality skin care products onto the surface of your skin equally contributes to more beautiful and healthy looking skin. The market is flooded with products that come wrapped in fancy, glamorous, and enticing packaging. But, have you wondered what goes inside them. All that glitters isn’t gold, right? Not every product that promises that instant glow will suit your skin type.
We have shortlisted 2 of the best skincare brands on the market- Maelove vs SkinCeuticals and we are going to give you an unbiased review, so you can find out which brand deserves to become a part of your skincare ritual and whether low price skincare really does mean less effective or are you getting some bang for your bucks.
Contents
Comparing the brands Maelove and Skinceuticals
Maelove write on their website that they are looking to offer elite skincare that is accessible to everyone. The entire brand strategy of Maelove was created by MIT graduates. I like their idea of simple low cost skincare products, which is the opposite of Skinceuticals much more expensive range of skincare products.
Despite such a difference in price there are a lot of similarities between these 2 brands, especially the Skinceuticals C E Ferulic serum and Maelove Glowmaker which is seen as a reputable dupe. Let’s take a look at them and see which vitamin C serum you should be adding into your skincare routine.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum and Maelove Glow Maker
Serums are like a green vegetable for your skin-benefiting you abundantly in every aspect- skin texture, brightness, elasticity, plumpness while also targeting the fine lines. The major comparison between these serums that is touted on every skincare lovers blog is that the Maelove glow maker is the affordable version and the perfect dupe for the Skinceuticals CE Ferulic serum.
Not that the brands lack anything in terms of formulation, research. Similar to any other reputed brand and formula, the formula has been backed up with scientific research, artificial intelligence, and data. Skin aficionados have all praise for the cult favourite Glow maker serum which has not only surpassed other brands when it comes to formulation but has also made a serum that is highly affordable.
You can own the glow maker for around $30 compared to the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum that often costs over $150. Distinguishing between both the brands and making one sound more dependable and worthy than the other would be a crime! This is why we are going to take a closer look at their ingredients, both good and bad.
Ingredient comparison – Maelove vs. Skinceuticals
Glow Maker is a pretty solid dupe of C E Ferulic. Maelove Glow Maker has the same 15% concentration of L-ascorbic acid, as well as vitamin E, Ferulic acid, and Hyaluronic acid. The best advantage is that it is available for only a sixth of the price. Moreover, Glow maker is also much gentler. The Glow Maker by Maelove is an excellent vitamin C serum. Maelove makes high glow-making claims. It’s also a pretty solid dupe without any oily or greasy residue. Let’s study the ingredients of both the products- C E Ferulic Serum and Glow Maker.
1. SkinCeuticals-C E Ferulic serum
C E Ferulic Serum is considered to be the “gold standard” of vitamin C serums. It contains 15% L-Ascorbic Acid. Skinceuticals has established C E Ferulic Serum and other skin products utilising data collected from multiple patents and academic publications.
Ferulic Serum was initially a single-phase solution composition of L-ascorbic acid. Compared to competitors, it provided increased stability, better solubility, and a photo protective effect for the treatment of radical-induced skin.
The best USP of C E Ferulic Serum is a patented product. The composition of CE Ferulic becomes public. It gives the consumer more transparency to its formulation. 15% L-Ascorbic Acid becomes its USP when determining levels of sensitivities.
The main ingredients of C E Ferulic Serum are:
- Ethoxydiglycol-Surfactant and Solvent to dilute a thick formulation.
- Ascorbic Acid-15% L-ascorbic acid is the star ingredient found in the serum. It is the most important antioxidant in the skin. In addition, ascorbic acid possesses an anti-aging effect, anti-pigmentary effect
- Glycerin-Active-Glycerin is a Humectant agent. It hydrates and moistens the skin.
- Propylene Glycol- It is a moisturizing agent.
- Laureth-23-It functions as a surfactant, skin-conditioning agent. It is
also a fragrant ingredient.
Whats good and what’s bad
The composition of SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic with 15% L-Ascorbic Acid aligns with the patent. It also matches with scientific research findings. However, there were two skeptical ingredients: Triethanolamine and Laureth-23. Triethanolamine is a preservative that functions as a pH adjuster. It often acts as a skin-conditioning agent but offers the potential for allergic contact dermatitis.
Secondly, Laureth-23, a surfactant, and emulsifier with little science-based research that relates to skin-specific benefits.
2. Maelove- Glow Maker
The main reason why Maelove Glow Maker has gained interest so quickly is that this serum contains many ingredients which are the same as in the C E Ferulic Serum but for a fraction of the cost. A customer can usually pay under $35 for Maelove Glow Maker instead of around $150 for the C E Ferulic Serum to get the same key ingredients: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Ferulic acid, and Hyaluronic acid.
Moreover, the Glow Maker formula contains two moisturising magnets: Hyaluronic acid and Panthenol (provitamin B5). These two ingredients draw moisture into the skin. It gives the user a plumped-up and dewy complexion. The formula of Glow Maker also contains resveratrol, the potent antioxidant to protect against free radical damage.
Glow Maker has a velvety soft touch and lightweight texture. It is absorbed quickly without feeling greasy or heavy. The formula also contains coconut-derived emollients, squalane, and glycerin.
To avoid the patent breach Maelove has added a few different ingredients in Glow Maker. Therefore it is safe to say that the Glow Maker is similar but still very different because it has 15% L-ascorbic acid. It also has both Ferulic acid and vitamin E (Tocopherol). But the % composition is unknown. This is a difference based on ingredients that inhibit Maelove, The Glow Maker from being too similar to C E Ferulic serum. However, other emollient, skin-conditioning, and humectants have been included:
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract
Xanthan Gum
Ethylhexylglycerin
The Glow Maker also includes additional antioxidants:
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Extract
Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract.
Pros
When we compare prices, the Glow Maker is affordable
It is formulated with evidence-based ingredients (vitamin C, vitamin E, Ferulic acid, Hyaluronic acid, Squalane, etc) The Glow Maker is free of fragrance, parabens, and dyes Maelove is cruelty-free.
Cons
Maelove Glow Maker oxidizes easily.
Ingredients List
- L-Ascorbic Acid- 15% L-ascorbic acid
Ethoxydiglycol-It is a decreasing agent used to dilute the viscosity of a potential solution. - Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice- Cosmetic active-Aloe is shown to improve skin hydration
- Glycerin- Emulsifier, Solvent, Cosmetic active
- Lecithin- Structurant, Emulsifier, Emollient, Cosmetic active, Antioxidant
- Triethanolamine- Emulsifier, Acidity Stabilizer, Surfactant, Frother, Perfume ingredient
- Phenoxyethanol,
- Ethylhexylglycerin- Emollient, Cosmetic active, Skin conditioner, Antimicrobial agent.
Sodium Hyaluronate-Skin conditioning and Humectant ingredient with studies demonstrating an increase in skin hydration, wrinkle reduction, and overall skin firmness.
Final thoughts – Is Maelove as good as Skinceuticals?
C E Ferulic is a vitamin C serum. It provides protection against damage from the environment. It also brightens the complexion and improves signs of aging. C E Ferulic also helps to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. C E Ferulic is an incredible product. It has passed the test of efficiency and efficacy. However, it has one major downfall. The product is very expensive often costing over $150 for one bottle.
People are willing to invest in their skin. But before buying such a costly product, the user often looks out for less expensive alternatives with similar benefits. This space of less expensive but with similar benefits has been filled by Maelove the Glow Maker. It has significantly reduced the cost and offers a product with almost similar ingredients and with some additions at one-fifth of the price.
The Glow Maker which was founded by MIT grads, much like C E Ferulic focuses on hyperpigmentation, hydration, and smoothing. The Glow maker contains vitamins C (15% L-ascorbic acid), E, and Ferulic acid. These provide anti-oxidation protection. Hyaluronic acid is for hydration, and benefits of botanicals (grape seed extract, Aloe, Aurantium Dulcis, and magnolia) for nourishment.
The Glow Maker also has some extracts which make the serum better for sensitive skin. The Glow Maker absorbs well and quickly and it smells less like day-old hot-dog water. The texture is also thinner and less sticky. The Glow maker blends better into the face. It does not leave any weird patches. The vitamin C serum is effective, pleasant to use that doesn’t oxidize in few weeks, and is affordable.
With the price tag of The Glow Maker, the user is often generous about how much to apply it. But, there is a considerable percentage of users, that don’t mind spending an extra amount on their skincare. People have fallen in love with the brand and it takes time to switch loyalty at the cost of price. For those who are looking to incorporate vitamin C into their routine, but don’t want to shell out big bucks, The Glow Maker is a better option.
