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Skin science article

Glossier Super Glow Versus Paula's Choice C25 Super Booster

Glossier Super Glow Versus Paula's Choice C25 Super Booster This brightening serum is formulated around Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate to brighten dull-looking skin and refine skin texture. This brightening treatment is formulated around Ascorbic Acid to fade th

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

Glossier Super Glow Versus Paula's Choice C25 Super Booster

This brightening serum is formulated around Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate to brighten dull-looking skin and refine skin texture.

This brightening treatment is formulated around Ascorbic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Propanediol

Dimethicone

Glyceryl Stearate Se

Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Cetyl Alcohol

Glycerin

Magnesium PCA

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract

Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Corallina Officinalis Extract

Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract

1,2-Hexanediol

Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate

Betaine

Sodium Citrate

Xanthan Gum

Caprylhydroxamic Acid

Water, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Magnesium PCA, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Betaine, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Caprylhydroxamic Acid

Cyclopentasiloxane

Ascorbic Acid

Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate

Polysilicone-11

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Disteardimonium Hectorite

Propylene Carbonate

Cyclopentasiloxane, Ascorbic Acid, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Polysilicone-11, Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate

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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.

Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.

What it does:

Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:

Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.

Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.

This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.

Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.

Similar Comparisons

The reference edit

Ingredients, questions
& further reading.

Connected source records selected through this article’s public topic index.

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Formula cabinet

Ingredients & structured notes

Ingredient index

Ingredients Explained

  1. 01These ingredients are found in both products.
  2. 02Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
  3. 03Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
  4. 04Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
  5. 05Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
  6. 06It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
  7. 07Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
  8. 08This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
  9. 09Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
  10. 10Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
  11. 11Beta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
  12. 12It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
  13. 13On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
  14. 14The more interesting story is underneath:
  15. 15Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
  16. 16A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
  17. 17It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
  18. 18This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
  19. 19Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
  20. 20Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
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