Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer Versus Paula's Choice Defense Triple Algae Pollution Shield
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
Emollient3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Sh-Hexapeptide-5 Amide Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Acetyl Zingerone
Antioxidant
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingBacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Phytic Acid
Squalene
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
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
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Decyl Oleate
Emollient
Cucumis Sativus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glutathione
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Curcumin
Antioxidant
Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEpigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Leontopodium Alpinum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningEmblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Phytosphingosine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Decyl Oleate, Cucumis Sativus Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Propanediol, Glutathione, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Ubiquinone, Curcumin, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower Extract, Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Phytosphingosine Phosphate, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Tocopherol, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Acacia Senegal Gum, Ectoin, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyacrylamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polysorbate 80, 1,2-Hexanediol, Laureth-7, Dipropylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol 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 defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 hydrated!
Learn more about Water
