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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer versus Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 .

Published on March 14, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA, peptides and Vitamin C

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

General Moisturizer American Brand United States
General Moisturizer American Brand United States

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

Shop

Buy C5 Super Boost Moisturizer

Starts at $45.00
Shop

Buy Vitamin C + Peptide 24

Starts at $11.98

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin C (3)
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Redness Reducing (3)
Skin Texture (3)
Anti-Aging (4)
Dark Spots (3)
Scar Healing (4)
Brightening (4)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin C (2)
Niacinamide
Peptides (2)

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots (3)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (4)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (4)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Antioxidant, Buffering, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.

Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.

Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.

Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!

Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.

Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.

The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.

Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.

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.

Learn more about Ascorbic Acid

Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 1.

Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 contains this as ingredient number 25.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 3.

Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 contains this as ingredient number 1.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

You might know this ingredient as Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a more stable version of ascorbic acid.

Like other types of vitamin C, this ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.

3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid interferes with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. It also encourages the skin to produce more collagen.

Once applied, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is converted to Vitamin C deeper in the skin's layers. This process is slow but makes this ingredient more tolerable for skin.

The optimum pH range for this ingredient is 4 - 5.5

Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 5.

Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 contains this as ingredient number 10.

4
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 6.

Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 contains this as ingredient number 5.

5
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.

Cetyl Alcohol is not related to SD alcohol, denatured alcohol, or ethyl alcohol. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 26.

Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 contains this as ingredient number 18.

6
What it does: Masking, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

Sodium Benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate

Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 48.

Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 contains this as ingredient number 23.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

37% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
37% are disliked or very disliked
12% have no rating yet
44% are loved or liked
4% have mixed ratings
48% are disliked or very disliked
4% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer 49 ingredients

C5 Super Boost Moisturizer hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 25 ingredients

1.0 /5
from 1 review
MichelleR's Avatar'
Nov 11, 2023

What is with Olay?...
Olay has a permanent place in my ‘never put on my face’ shelf. The only trend I see with Olay products is that they use Dimethicone in everything. Not sure what else it could be, but as of today this is a 67% match...

What is with Olay?...
Olay has a permanent place in my ‘never put on my face’ shelf. The only trend I see with Olay products is that they use Dimethicone in everything. Not sure what else it could be, but as of today this is a 67% match for me. No thanks!

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 5 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer.

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