Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer Versus Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer - US
Updated on January 27, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing 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 oils
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
Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer 59 ingredients
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer 47 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer 59 ingredients
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer 47 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Propanediol
SolventC9-12 Alkane
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Soy Acid
EmollientFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Elastin
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingLactic Acid
Buffering
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Wheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Olus Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium PCA
HumectantSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Lactate
BufferingLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningArachidic Acid
Cleansing
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingHistidine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCarnosine
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lauryl Alcohol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Propanediol, C9-12 Alkane, Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Behenyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Cetyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Oleic Acid, Soy Acid, Ferulic Acid, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Elastin, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Lactic Acid, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Wheat Amino Acids, Glycine Soja Sterols, Saccharomyces Ferment, Jojoba Esters, Olus Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Gluconolactone, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Myristic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lactate, Lauroyl Lysine, Arachidic Acid, Lauric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Histidine Hcl, Carnosine, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Lauryl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, CI 15985, CI 19140
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
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 WaterPropanediol 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 PropanediolCetyl Palmitate is a wax-like substance.
It comes from palmitic acid and palmityl alcohol. Cetyl Palmitate may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne.
This ingredient is naturally found in the guava fruit and stony corals.
Learn more about Cetyl PalmitateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateJojoba Esters is a wax created from Jojoba oil. It is an emollient and film-forming ingredient. In bead form, it is an exfoliator.
This ingredient has high oxidative stability, meaning it doesn't break down when exposed to oxygen.
Its similarity to our skin's natural oils makes it a great emollient. Emollients help soften and soothe our skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier helps trap moisture in, keeping skin hydrated.
It is created using either the hydrogenation or transesterification processes on jojoba oil.
Learn more about Jojoba EstersSodium 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 BenzoateSodium 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 HydroxidePotassium 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 SorbatePolyglyceryl-6 Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax isn't fungal acne safe.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer 59 ingredients
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer 47 ingredients
