First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum Versus Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer

First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum Versus Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer Detailed comparison of First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Brightening Serum versus Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer US. This brightening serum is formulated around 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Colloidal Oatmeal to brighten dull-looking skin and calm redness. This brightening moisturizer is formulated around 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Ascorbyl Glucoside to brighten dull-looking skin. Water 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid Squalane Sodium Citrate Tocopheryl Acetate Colloidal Oatmeal Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Glycerin Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate Xanthan Gum Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate Phenoxyethanol Citric Acid Sodium Benzoate Potassium Sorbate Sodium Hydroxide Tetrasodium EDTA Water, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Squalane, Sodium Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Colloidal Oatmeal, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA Dicaprylyl Carbonate Dimethicone Butylene Glycol Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate Ascorbyl Glucoside Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer Acetyl Sh-Hexapeptide-5 Amide Acetate Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil Hydrogenated Lecithin Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate Sodium Hyaluronate Oryza Sativa Bran Extract Propanediol Jojoba Esters Tocopherol Acetyl Zingerone Cetyl Palmitate Caprylyl Glycol Cetyl Alcohol Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax Sorbitan Olivate Sorbitan Palmitate Helianthus Annuus Extract Ethylhexylglycerin Hexylene Glycol Sodium Phytate Polysorbate 60 Sorbitan Isostearate Lecithin Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Glycine Soja Oil Lysolecithin Bacillus Ferment Polyglutamic Acid Beta-Sitosterol Phytic Acid Squalene Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Squalane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acetyl Sh-Hexapeptide-5 Amide Acetate, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Propanediol, Jojoba Esters, Tocopherol, Acetyl Zingerone, Cetyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Olivate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Lecithin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Lysolecithin, Bacillus Ferment, Citric Acid, Polyglutamic Acid, Beta-Sitosterol, Phytic Acid, Squalene, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate Be the first to review These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is one of the most popular "stable" vitamin C derivatives in skincare. Plain ascorbic acid is fantastic but notoriously fragile; it browns, oxidizes, and loses potency fast. So attaching an ethyl group to the third carbon of the molecule gives it some cool perks: In a formula, it does the 3 classic vitamin C jobs: it acts as an antioxidant, helps brighten skin tone by inhibiting tyrosinase, and supports collagen. The evidence is reasonably solid for a cosmetic ingredient; Liao and colleagues (2018) showed it's significantly more stable than ascorbic acid while still being effective. A 2021 study by Zerbinati and colleagues tested a serum with 30% 3-O-ethyl-l-ascorbic acid and 1% lactic acid significantly increased collagen production, reduced UVB-induced DNA damage, and decreased melanin on a reconstructed pigmented skin model. Typical real world usage sits around 0.5-5% (and 1-2% is common for daily serums). Amounts up to 30% have been shown to be non-irritating on human skin samples, but two isolated cases reported allergic contact dermatitis so a patch test is sensible if you have reactive skin. Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes. Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath. However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products. Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH. In skincare formulas, citric acid can: While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants. Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations. Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger. However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure. 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 mic