After discovering that ferulic acid greatly enhances the performance of creams containing vitamins C and E, I threw in a phial of the stuff into a vitamin C serum by Somme Institute that I had lying around. I gave the bottle a shake and have been fading age spots ever since. The Somme Institute Serum ($82) has a time-released vitamin C and I have been pleased with the results. However, I keep being asked what other creams would provide a good base for ferulic acid. So here is a round up of my Five Best C and E potions.

Suki Complexion Brightening Cream ($54). This one makes a lot of sense. I have tried it on its own (ie: without the addition of ferulic acid) and it works: not on tough age spots, but on freckles and tanned skin. I would imagine that adding in the ferulic could only make it work all the better. Its vitamin C is time-released. The ingredients are all natural and organic.

Isomers Vitamin C Serum MAP + E ($39). This is, as is characteristic of Isomers products, about as uncomplicated as it gets. Vitamin C and linseed oil, plus tocopherol phosphates (a more stable form of plain old vitamin E and a good anti-inflammatory). The form of vitamin C in Isomers is called MAP (Dermalogica also has a MAP cream). Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP) is superior to ascorbic acid. It is water soluble and stable and is taken into the cells more easily than the ascorbic. MAP is also better or people with sensitive skin, since ascorbic acid is also an exfolliant. It can last up to 200 days before there is loss of activity. I did read somewhere that the 200 day countdown starts when the cream is produced. If that is true, it is impossible to know reliably how long you've got, unless (unlikely) it comes with a sell-by date.

SkinMedica's Vitamin C Complex ($74) has two types of C: tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and the more humble L-ascorbic acid. Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate is about as good as it get as it is by far one of the most potent Cs. And, unlike your more run-of-the mill vit Cs, it can be used in high doses, welcomed by sensitive skin and last up to 18 months. There are also two forms of vitamin E in this SkinMedica cream.

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster ($40). This got a reviewed and recommended by Claire in August. The headlining ingredient of this serum is vitamin C, of which it contains two kinds: magnesium ascorbyl phosphate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate. Together, this complex gives a 10% concentration. Also near the top of the ingredients list is vitamin E.

Stem Organics Balancing Face Fluid ($58). Most vitamin Cs in cosmetics are synthetically concocted in a lab. Stem's products (the entire range, in fact) has an impressive natural source. Its C comes from kakadu plum. This Australian fruit has more vitamin C than a truck full of oranges. Imagine what it would be like turbo charged with ferulic acid. There is also vitamin E in stable form. And no nasty preservatives.

Ingredients in Suki

Infusion of organic roses, organic jojoba, evening primrose, rose hip, grapeseed, & rice germ oils infused with organic roses, chamomile, calendula, comfrey, & lavender, beeswax, shea butter, rose wax, time release vitamin c, flaxseed extract, standardized white willow, green tea, grapeseed, & chamomile extracts, organic calendula, chamomile, rose extracts, l-carnitine amino acid, brewers yeast extract, true wasabi extract, lecithin, gums arabic & xanthan, & pure, premium, steam distilled essential oils

Ingredients in Isomers

Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP), Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates (Vitamin E Phosphates), Methylparaben, Propylparaben

Ingredients in SkinMedica

Cyclomethicone, L-Ascorbic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Polysilicone-11, Phytantriol, Ethoxydiglycol, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol

Ingredients in Ole Henriksen

Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Oleth-20, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Magnesium Ascorbate (Vitamin C), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe Vera), Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) fruit Extract, Rosa Canina (Rose Hips) Extract, Euphrasia Officinalis (Eyebright)n Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Leaf Extract, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Benzophenone-4, Dimethicone Copolyol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Citric Acid, Fragrance (Parfum).

Ingredients in Stem Organics

Organic Aloe, Organic Jojoba Oil, Vegetable Emulsifying Wax, Vegetable Glycerin, Beta Glucan, Niacinamide (Vit B3), Willow Bark,
Cetyl Alcohol, D-alpha Tocopherol (Vit E), Goldenseal Extract, Panthenol (Vit B5), Bearberry Extract, Organic Echinacea Extract,
Kakadu Plum Extract, Pomegranate Extract, Little Flannel Flower Bush Flower Essence, Carbomer, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Hydroxy
Methylglycinate (amino acid based preservative), Olive Leaf Extract, Tea Tree Essential Oil, Rose Essential Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Lacti Acid.