Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster Versus Vibriance Super C Penetrating Serum

Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster Versus Vibriance Super C Penetrating Serum

This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Ferulic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles.

This brightening serum is formulated around 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Hexylresorcinol to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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

Citrus Limon Fruit Water

Butylene Glycol

Cyclopentasiloxane

Dimethicone

PEG-8

Isododecane

Polysilicone-11

3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

Sodium Hyaluronate

Glucomannan

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil

Hexylresorcinol

Acetyl Glucosamine

Allantoin

Panthenol

Tocopheryl Acetate

Caffeine

Decyl Glucoside

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

Polyacrylate-13

Polyisobutene

Polysorbate 20

Ethylhexylglycerin

Ethylhexyl Palmitate

Trihydroxystearin

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer

Disodium EDTA

Triethanolamine

Citrus Limon Fruit Water, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, PEG-8, Isododecane, Water, Polysilicone-11, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Hexylresorcinol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Allantoin, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caffeine, Decyl Glucoside, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Trihydroxystearin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Triethanolamine

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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.

Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).

It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.

On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.

Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).

You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.

Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.

Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.

Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!

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