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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA versus Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer .

Published on October 06, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA, hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C

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

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Serum American Brand United States
General Moisturizer American Brand United States

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

Shop

Buy Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA

Starts at $85.90
Shop

Buy C5 Super Boost Moisturizer

Starts at $45.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin C (2)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (4)
Dark Spots (5)
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin C (3)
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Redness Reducing (3)
Skin Texture (3)
Anti-Aging (4)
Dark Spots (3)
Scar Healing (4)
Brightening (4)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Water

Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA contains this as ingredient number 1.

Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 3.

2
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

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 Propanediol

Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA contains this as ingredient number 4.

Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 20.

3
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA contains this as ingredient number 5.

Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 7.

4
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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 Hyaluronate

Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA contains this as ingredient number 22.

Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 18.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA contains this as ingredient number 29.

Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 32.

6
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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.

Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA contains this as ingredient number 30.

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.

40% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
10% are disliked or very disliked
40% have no rating yet
37% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
37% are disliked or very disliked
12% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA 30 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 1 review

Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer 49 ingredients

C5 Super Boost Moisturizer hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 5 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA.

See 5 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 5 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer.

See 5 alternatives
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