I’m a Harvard-Trained Derm—This Is the One Serum I Use Every Morning
By Dr. Iris Rubin
As a dermatologist who develops her own skincare formulations regularly, you might assume I’m a product junkie. The truth is, I’m a product minimalist. I’ve been breakout-prone since my teens, and also deal with melasma, so I don’t have time or patience for fluff. I want multitasking products backed by science, with real results, not marketing hype. And yes, I can spot the phony skincare marketing jargon from a mile away.
So, when I say SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is my go-to vitamin C serum, I mean it. It’s the gold standard for my skin, hands down. This powerhouse protects against environmental aggressors like pollution and UV damage, helps brighten my skin, reduces the pigmentation I have, and smooths the look of fine lines. My only regret? Not discovering it 20 years ago.
SkinCeuticals was one of the first brands to truly dive into the science of vitamin C, and they’ve been leading the charge for nearly 30 years. Their patented C E Ferulic formula is no accident: it’s precisely calibrated with 15% L-ascorbic acid (the most studied form of vitamin C), vitamin E, and ferulic acid, to deliver maximum antioxidant benefits.
My personal routine is simple. After cleansing in the morning, I apply a few drops of C E Ferulic, then follow with moisturizer and of course sunscreen. That’s it. No twelve-step ritual, no unnecessary extras. Just the essentials—and this serum is one of them.
Take it from someone who creates skincare products for a living and reads ingredient lists like novels: this one earns its spot in my routine. I didn’t make it, but I absolutely swear by it.
About Dr. Iris Rubin, MD + SEEN
Harvard-trained dermatologist Dr. Iris Rubin created SEEN after seeing countless patients face skin concerns like acne (herself included), eczema, and irritation, without ever realizing that their hair care products could be a contributing factor. A scientist with 5 diplomas from Harvard Medical School, she knew there had to be a better way to get beautiful hair without compromising her skin. Dr. Rubin set out to create a haircare line that was not only tested just like the best skincare products, but also free from ingredients that can clog your pores or irritate the skin. It took Dr. Rubin and her Co-Founder Greg Maged 4+ years and countless formulation iterations to bring SEEN to life. SEEN is a patented, science-backed, award-winning line of skin and hair care designed to promote healthy skin and healthy hair. SEEN’s mission is to help people shine their brightest and be “seen” for their best self. SEEN’s formulas are clinically-proven to be safe for all skin types including sensitive, acne-prone and eczema-prone skin, bridging the gap between healthy hair and skin. SEEN is proud to be clean, vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated without clogging oils, silicones, phthalates, parabens, dyes, gluten, or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. SEEN provides financial support to laser clinics in Armenia and Vietnam, which treat children with disfiguring birthmarks and scars. Prior to launching SEEN, Dr. Iris Rubin was Medical Director of the Dermatologic and Vascular Laser Surgery Program at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington D.C. and Maryland, where she treated children with disfiguring vascular birthmarks and scars.