Ingredient or product comparison
Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster Versus Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer
Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster Versus Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster versus Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer US. This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Ferulic
This source-based comparison does not add ratings or recommend a winner.
Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster Versus Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster versus Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer US. This brightening serum is formulated around Ascorbic Acid and Ferulic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles. This brightening moisturizer is formulated around 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Ascorbyl Glucoside to brighten dull-looking skin. 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 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 Jojoba Esters Acetyl Zingerone Cetyl Palmitate Caprylyl Glycol Cetyl Alcohol Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax Sorbitan Olivate Sorbitan Palmitate Helianthus Annuus Extract Ethylhexylglycerin Hexylene Glycol Polysorbate 60 Sorbitan Isostearate Lecithin Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Glycine Soja Oil Lysolecithin Bacillus Ferment Citric Acid Polyglutamic Acid Beta-Sitosterol Phytic Acid Squalene Sodium Benzoate Potassium Sorbate 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. 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. Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. It’s often used to: Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent. Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective. In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline. Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated. "Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic. Sodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds. Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product. Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E. You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells. Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defen