Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer versus Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer .
Published on November 13, 2022
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin C and Vitamin E
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, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils and 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
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
Price
Ingredient Info
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer 49 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer 47 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer 49 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer 47 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer 49 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer 47 ingredients
Ascorbic Acid • Hexapeptide-5 • 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
Water • Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate • Cetyl Alcohol • Ascorbyl Glucoside • Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate • Potassium Cetyl Phosphate • Glyceryl Stearate • Peg-100 Stearate • Glycerin • Peg-12 Glyceryl Dimyristate • Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 • Dimethicone • Glyceryl Ascorbate • Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate • Retinol • Ceramide NP • Ceramide Ns • Ceramide AP • Ceramide EOP • Ceramide Eos • Cholesterol • Caprooyl Phytosphingosine • Caprooyl Sphingosine • Squalane • Punica Granatum Fruit Extract • Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract • Tocopheryl Acetate • Carnosine • Panthenol • Sodium PCA • Butylene Glycol • Sodium Citrate • Ceteareth-25 • Polysorbate 20 • Ethylhexyl Stearate • Sodium Hydroxide • Trideceth-6 • Propyl Gallate • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Sodium Polyacrylate • Behenic Acid • Disodium EDTA • Phenoxyethanol • Caprylyl Glycol • Chlorphenesin
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterPaula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 3.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 1.
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.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 12.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 7.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 33.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is a stable form of Vitamin C. It is created by combining glucose from starch.
When applied to skin, Ascorbyl Glucoside turns into Ascorbic Acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage skin cells.
It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosidePaula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 9.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 4.
Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.
Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.
Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).
In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.
The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.
Is squalane vegan? This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Learn more about SqualanePaula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 10.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 24.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolPaula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 25.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 46.
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.
Its main roles are:
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholPaula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 26.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 3.
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.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxidePaula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 28.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 38.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 47.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 45.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer 49 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer 47 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer 49 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer 47 ingredients
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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