Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer - US Versus Physician's Formula Rosé All Stay Illuminating Setting Spray
Updated on January 27, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer 47 ingredients
Physician's Formula Rosé All Stay Illuminating Setting Spray 26 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer 47 ingredients
Physician's Formula Rosé All Stay Illuminating Setting Spray 26 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
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
EmulsifyingTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
SolventJojoba Esters
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Acetyl Zingerone
Antioxidant
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Lecithin
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingBacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingPhytic 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 ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Manihot Esculenta Tuber Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientPoloxamer 338
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
CI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Pvp, Hydrolyzed Manihot Esculenta Tuber Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Poloxamer 338, Polysorbate 20, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Parfum, Tin Oxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, CI 75470, CI 77491, Mica, CI 77891
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterButylene 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.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
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 GlycolSodium 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 HydroxideEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant. Glycols are a class of alcohols. Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, Hexylene Glycol helps gather dirt and oil on your skin to be washed away.
As an emulsifier, Hexylene Glycol helps keep water and oil together. This prevents them from separating in a product. Hexylene Glycol also thins out the texture of a product by lessening viscosity.
Hexylene Glycol has a small molecular weight.
Learn more about Hexylene GlycolCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
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.
It 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 BenzoatePotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer 47 ingredients
Physician's Formula Rosé All Stay Illuminating Setting Spray 26 ingredients
