Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Versus Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Versus Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer Detailed comparison of The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG versus Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer US. This calming eye moisturizer is formulated around Caf

This source-based comparison does not add ratings or recommend a winner.

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Versus Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer Detailed comparison of The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG versus Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer US. This calming eye moisturizer is formulated around Caffeine and Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside to calm redness 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 Caffeine Maltodextrin Glycerin Propanediol Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside Gallyl Glucoside Hyaluronic Acid Oxidized Glutathione Melanin Glycine Soja Seed Extract Pentylene Glycol Hydroxyethylcellulose Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 Xanthan Gum Lactic Acid Dehydroacetic Acid Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate Propyl Gallate Dimethyl Isosorbide Benzyl Alcohol 1,2-Hexanediol Ethylhexylglycerin Phenoxyethanol Caprylyl Glycol Water, Caffeine, Maltodextrin, Glycerin, Propanediol, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Hyaluronic Acid, Oxidized Glutathione, Melanin, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Propyl Gallate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Benzyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol 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 Tocopherol Acetyl Zingerone Cetyl Palmitate Cetyl Alcohol Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax Sodium Hydroxide Sorbitan Olivate Sorbitan Palmitate Helianthus Annuus Extract 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 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. Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created. Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin. Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on). Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that: The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure. Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations. 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. 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 hydra