Paula's Choice C25 Super Booster Versus L'Oreal Revitalift Clinical 12% Pure Vitamin C Serum

Paula's Choice C25 Super Booster Versus L'Oreal Revitalift Clinical 12% Pure Vitamin C Serum

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

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

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Cyclopentasiloxane

Ascorbic Acid

Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate

Polysilicone-11

Dimethicone

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Disteardimonium Hectorite

Propylene Carbonate

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

Water

Glycerin

Alcohol Denat.

Potassium Hydroxide

Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate

Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester

Adenosine

Sodium Hyaluronate

Tocopherol

Silica

Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate

Butylene Glycol

Caprylyl Glycol

C13-14 Isoparaffin

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Laureth-7

PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate

Poloxamer 338

Polyacrylamide

Sorbitan Laurate

Xanthan Gum

Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate

Salicylic Acid

Parfum

Water, Ascorbic Acid, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Potassium Hydroxide, Polysilicone-11, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Silica, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Laureth-7, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Poloxamer 338, Polyacrylamide, Sorbitan Laurate, Xanthan Gum, Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Salicylic Acid, Parfum

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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.

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.

Polysilicone-11 is a film-forming silicone that creates a non-tacky and matte finish on the skin. It's commonly used to improve texture, absorb excess oil, and help active ingredients spread evenly.

Due to its "rubber-like" structure, it stays on the skin's surface instead of being absorbed. On the skin, it creates a flexible layer that enhances wearability and stability.

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