Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster Versus La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Eye Serum

Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster Versus La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Eye Serum Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster versus La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Eye Serum. This pore-care treatment is formulated around Niacinamide and Acetyl Glucosa

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Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster Versus La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Eye Serum Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster versus La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Eye Serum. This pore-care treatment is formulated around Niacinamide and Acetyl Glucosamine to refine the look of pores and refine skin texture. This barrier-repair eye moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Panthenol to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin. Water Niacinamide Acetyl Glucosamine Ascorbyl Glucoside Butylene Glycol Phospholipids Sodium Hyaluronate Allantoin Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract Glycerin Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Ubiquinone Epigallocatechin Gallate Beta-Glucan Panthenol Carnosine Genistein Citric Acid Sodium Citrate Sodium Hydroxide Xanthan Gum Disodium EDTA Ethylhexylglycerin Phenoxyethanol Water, Niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Phospholipids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Glycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ubiquinone, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Beta-Glucan, Panthenol, Carnosine, Genistein, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid Pentylene Glycol Caffeine Hydroxyacetophenone Caprylyl Glycol Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate Water, Glycerin, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Ascorbyl Glucoside (AA-2G) is one of the most stable vitamin C derivatives out there. It's made by attaching a glucose molecule to ascorbic acid; this glucose "cap" shields the vitamin C from air, light, heat, and metal ions that normally cause pure ascorbic acid to oxidize. Once on your skin, the enzyme alpha-glucosidase snips off the glucose and gradually releases active ascorbic acid right where it's needed. Basically, it behaves like a slow-release pro-vitamin C with less of a stinging that high-strength ascorbic acid can cause. The research supports the classic vitamin C benefits as well. In lab and human studies, AA-2G slowed down the skin's production of melanin (the pigment behind dark spots) and helped shield skin cells against sun damage better than ascorbyl phosphate. These studies also showed AA-2G released vitamin C over a longer period. A frequently cited manufacturer trial found that a 2% AA-2G face cream significantly improved wrinkle depth and skin roughness after 45 days. And in 2009, a clinical trial showed it meaningfully lightened dark patches on the gums compared to a placebo. There's also collagen-synthesis support (since vitamin C is a required cofactor for that) and an antioxidant effect too. Typical usage is usually between 0.5-5% and most studies/products land around 2%. AA-2G performs best when formulated at a mildly acidic pH (~5-7) which is much gentler than the pH that pure vitamin C demands (~2.5-3.5). Just one thing worth knowing: the in-skin conversation rate is only about 55-60% by weight. So a 5% AA-2G product delivers roughly 2.75-3% of actual active vitamin C. On top of that, skin absorption is relatively low because the ingredient is water-soluble. 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