Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer versus Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer .
Last updated on October 06, 2023. Published on March 19, 2023
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, 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 oils
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
Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer 59 ingredients
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer 49 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
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 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
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 🎉
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 49 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
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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.
Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer 59 ingredients
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer 49 ingredients
Water • 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
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
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 WaterPeter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 1.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 3.
Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.
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 PropanediolPeter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 3.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 20.
Cetyl 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 PalmitatePeter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 9.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 24.
Sodium 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 HyaluronatePeter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 23.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 18.
Jojoba 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 EstersPeter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 28.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 21.
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 BenzoatePeter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 33.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 48.
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 HydroxidePeter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 37.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 28.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePeter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 42.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 49.
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 47.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 8.
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 AlcoholPeter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 49.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 26.
Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax isn't fungal acne safe.
Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 53.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 27.
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.
Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 54.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 32.
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.
Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 57.
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 47.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer 59 ingredients
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer 49 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer 59 ingredients
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer 49 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 5 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer.
See 5 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 5 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer.
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