SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

the fabulous kokolaroo on youtube raved about it again and again and made me really curious about this serum, but i thought it was again something you can't get your hands on here in germany. and for skincare i don't want to spend too much money on without testing or return options.
so i was very happy when i saw a SkinCeuticals display in a pharmacy when i went to buy some new Avène Thermal Water.

i knew SkinCeuticals have generous testers so i asked the pharmacist for one, and i see they are really nice testers!!! it is a mini glass bottle with a mini pipette. i wish every brand would learn a lesson on this, i hate those sachets, they are ok for magazines and such, but not if i go to a counter and ask for testers with the intention of buying-when-pleased.
i started to use serums on a daily basis about a year ago, i don't think they are just something for mature skin. prevention is the key.
this is what is said on the little post-it that came in the tester-box, next to the using directions:

C E Ferulic - high potency triple antioxidant treatment with L-Ascorbic Acid (which in fact is vitamin C), Alpha Tocopherol (vitamin E), and Ferulic Acid (quote: "If added to a topical preparation of ascorbic acid and vitamin E, ferulic acid may reduce oxidative stress and formation of thymine dimers in skin." professor wikipedia)

Ingredients: 740019 15 - aqua/water, dipropylene glycol, ascorbic acid, sodium hydroxide, glycerin, laureth-23, phenoxyethanol, tocopherol, ferulic acid, methylparaben, sodium hyaluronate, D26860/3

so this is packed full with antioxidants, it's to protect your skin from free radicals.  the high concentration of L-Ascorbic Acid could even irritate your skin, so testing is very important with this.
the little bottle contains 5ml of product, it lasted me about 3 weeks. it's a watery brown liquid which slightly smells like caramel. i used about 4 drops of it i the mornings, sometimes even at night. i tapped it on my face with my fingertips, it got soaked in right away, then i would use my eye cream and after that it would be sunk in enough so i could use my regular moisturiser over it.
it didn't irritate my skin or caused me break outs.

i really did notice an improvement of my skin in this short testing phase. it got clearer and my skin tone got more even in this time. it also felt soft and plump.

now i need to decide wether i should get the C E Ferulic or go on with my search. the big stopping point for me is the hefty price tag for it: 30ml would cost 123€. does my relatively young skin  needs such a pricey care? could i also get away with a beautiful complexion at a lower price point? i have never splurged so much for skin care...