Compare Products: C-Firma Fresh Day Serum vs Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum

Drunk Elephant

C-Firma Fresh Day Serum

Premium
$78 / 28ml — $2.79/ml
The Ordinary

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum

Budget10%
$6 / 30ml — $0.20/ml

Who It's Designed For

Drunk Elephant
  • Those who want maximum freshness from their vitamin C serum
  • Users seeking a CE Ferulic formula with added botanical antioxidants
  • People comfortable with a premium price for innovative packaging and formulation
  • Sephora shoppers who want a luxury alternative to SkinCeuticals
  • Those following the Drunk Elephant 'Suspicious 6-free' philosophy
The Ordinary
  • Oily and combination skin seeking oil control
  • Those who want a no-frills, high-potency niacinamide serum
  • Budget-conscious skincare users
  • People targeting enlarged pores and textural irregularities
  • Users building ingredient-focused routines

Key Ingredients

Drunk Elephant

15% L-Ascorbic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Pumpkin Ferment Extract, Pomegranate Ferment Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate

The Ordinary

Niacinamide (10%), Zinc PCA (1%)

Product Composition

9% similarity (4 ingredients in common)

Shared Ingredients
water/aqua/eaudimethyl isosorbidehydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerphenoxyethanol
Only in Drunk Elephant (33)
ascorbic acidlaureth-23glycerinlactobacillus/pumpkin ferment extractsclerocarya birrea seed oildipotassium glycyrrhizateglycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extractvitis vinifera (grape) juice extractphyllanthus emblica fruit extractcamellia sinensis leaf extracttocopherollactobacillus/punica granatum fruit ferment extractsodium hyaluronate crosspolymerhydrolyzed quinoaphytosterolsglutamylamidoethyl imidazolehydrolyzed wheat proteinferulic acidacetyl glucosaminesodium hyaluronatetetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethanetetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethanetetrahydrodiferuloylmethaneglycineleuconostoc/radish root ferment filtratesucrosemaltodextrinchondrus crispus extractisohexadecanecaprylhydroxamic acidcaprylyl glycolsorbitan isostearatepropanediol
Only in The Ordinary (8)
niacinamidepentylene glycolzinc pcatamarindus indica seed gumxanthan gumisoceteth-20ethoxydiglycolchlorphenesin

User Feedback Patterns

Drunk Elephant
Freshness system is appreciated

The mix-before-use system is the most praised unique feature. Users trust that their vitamin C starts fresh, unlike pre-mixed serums that may have oxidized on shelves.

Sticky texture divides opinion

Some users find the serum slightly tacky or sticky. This resolves once other products are layered on top, but it is a commonly noted drawback.

Effective brightening

Users report noticeable glow and brighter skin within 2-4 weeks. Many compare results favorably to SkinCeuticals at a lower price.

Best-seller status at Sephora

Consistently ranked among Sephora's top-selling serums. The brand's strong Sephora presence drives discovery and repeat purchases.

The Ordinary
Holy grail for oily skin

Many users with oily skin report significant oil control and fewer breakouts. High repurchase rate in this demographic.

Pilling under other products

Commonly reported issue. Users recommend applying to damp skin or mixing with a hydrating serum to improve layering.

Tacky texture

The formula can feel sticky, especially if too much is applied. Most users adapt application technique over time.

Purging or breakouts

Some users report initial breakouts. Unclear whether this is purging, sensitivity, or coincidence. Most who push through report improvement.

Value for money

Almost universally praised for price-to-performance ratio. Common comment: 'can't believe this costs $6.'

Which Should You Buy?

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum offers great value at a lower price point. Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum may be worth the premium if you want 15% L-Ascorbic Acid.

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