A January 2026 split-face trial found CE Ferulic serum helped skin heal after ablative fractional CO2 laser for atrophic acne scars. For people with these pitted scars, the meaning is practical: the serum aided recovery after laser, not scar removal alone. PubMed Central records the study by Shi, Xu and Zhang as a randomized, investigator-blinded, split-face controlled trial registered as ChiCTR2300078214 the January 2026 trial record in PubMed Central.
Medscape identifies the formula as 15% L-ascorbic acid, 1% vitamin E and 0.5% ferulic acid. The U.S. National Library of Medicine abstract reports lower redness and melanin plus better hydration on the treated side.
Medical information disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional about symptoms, medications, tests, or treatment decisions.
Table of Contents
- What did the trial test?
- How did recovery differ on the treated side?
- Who was studied, and where are the limits?
- What should you ask before booking laser?
What did the trial test?
Wiley Online Library describes a same-day comparison: CE Ferulic serum on one side of the face and normal saline on the other after the same laser the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology report on Wiley Online Library. Each participant served as their own control for healing and barrier change.
Investigators scoring outcomes did not know which side received serum. That setup separates the serum effect from differences in age, skin tone and scar depth.
How did recovery differ on the treated side?
The serum side showed faster wound healing with lower erythema and melanin levels and better hydration than saline. Less redness means calmer early inflammation.
Lower melanin signals less post-laser darkening. ConsultantLive reports treated skin kept more water and lost less: hydration was higher (P=.0367) and transepidermal water loss was lower (P=.0246) than saline-treated skin ConsultantLive's report on the trial. Higher hydration plus lower water loss points to better barrier preservation after laser injury.
Who was studied, and where are the limits?
An Archyde summary describes adults 18-50 with moderate-to-severe atrophic facial scars in a Chinese cohort. It calls the study the first randomized split-face placebo-controlled trial of this question in China.
A Medscape abstract of earlier University of Minnesota work found no complications from one immediate post-laser application. It also cautioned that the result may not extend to longer courses or other cosmeceutical formulas.
What should you ask before booking laser?
The June 2025 MDPI systematic review notes fractional CO2 often improves atrophic scars by 30-70% but commonly brings transient redness, swelling and hyperpigmentation the June 2025 fractional CO2 review in MDPI. Treat the antioxidant serum as a recovery aid for those after-effects, not as a replacement for laser, subcision or filler. Ask your dermatologist: Bring photos of past dark marks after pimples or procedures, plus a list of vitamin C products that irritated you.
- Do my scars match the studied group: moderate-to-severe pitted facial scars?
- What redness, swelling and dark-spot risk do you expect for my skin tone?
- Would you apply CE Ferulic once right after laser, or use a different aftercare plan?
- How will we track hydration, barrier healing and pigment change?