Skin science article
BeautyStat Vitamin C Skin Refiner Versus Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster
BeautyStat Vitamin C Skin Refiner Versus Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Tartaric Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and refine skin texture. This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Ac
BeautyStat Vitamin C Skin Refiner Versus Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster
This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Tartaric Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and refine skin texture.
This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Ferulic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
Isododecane
Ascorbic Acid
Polysilicone-11
Isocetyl Stearate
Petrolatum
Squalane
Dimethicone
Tartaric Acid
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Sodium Hyaluronate
Disteardimonium Hectorite
Triethyl Citrate
Caprylyl Glycol
Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Ascorbic Acid, Polysilicone-11, Isocetyl Stearate, Petrolatum, Squalane, Dimethicone, Tartaric Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethyl Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Dipropylene Glycol
Propanediol
Glycerin
Ethoxydiglycol
Sodium Hydroxide
PPG-26-Buteth-26
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Bisabolol
Ferulic Acid
Sodium Phytate
Decylene Glycol
Tocopherol
1,2-Hexanediol
Sphingomonas Ferment Extract
Phenoxyethanol
Water, Ascorbic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Ethoxydiglycol, Sodium Hydroxide, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Bisabolol, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Decylene Glycol, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Phenoxyethanol
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Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:
Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.
One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.
While vitamin C doesn’t replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.
The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% being the upper limit for effective absorption.
Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin won’t keep absorbing more once it’s full of vitamin C. This is why more isn’t always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations don’t necessarily give extra benefits.
Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at the same time; they are often recommended for use at different times of day.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.