Paula's Choice
🇺🇸
C15 Super Booster
Face Skincare
4.5
(49)
Ratings & Reviews
4.5
49 Reviews
Rating Distribution
Product Attributes
Alcohol-free
Paraben-free
Silicone-free
Sulfate-free
Allergen-free
Cruelty-free
Fragrance-free
Pregnancy-friendly
Eczema-Safe
Photo Reviews
33 Reviews
DR81
Dry/Sensitive
| 26 March, 2021
The quest for the perfect vitamin C serum is still going strong! The Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster is one of the top contenders for this title. Let’s check it out!
Vitamin C serums are one of the staples of my skincare routine.
I couldn’t find anything more effective to give my skin a glow plus a solid antioxidant protection!
It’s quite difficult to find a vitamin C serum that meets my demanding specifications.
In a vitamin C serum, I’m looking for:
– a liquid, non-greasy, water-based texture, for better absorption and effectiveness on my skin,
– a formula that contains vitamin C L-Ascorbic (I prefer this ingredient to its derivatives, which are less effective on me),
– a sufficient concentration of L-ascorbic acid (between 10 and 20%),
– ideally, I prefer when there are other antioxidant ingredients in its formula (vitamin E, ferulic acid…) to make it more stable,
– a formula with a pH of 3.5 or less to ensure better stability of the formula,
– a bottle that protects the formula from air and light (no transparent glass),
– a good price, and a decent quantity of product (ideally 30ml).
Reminder: If I’m so picky and have all these criteria, it’s because L-ascorbic acid/ vitamin C is certainly the most effective form of vitamin C but it’s also the least stable in a water-based formula (which is the case for a lot of vitamin C serums). And a non-stabilized formula has the opposite effect to what I expect from a vitamin C serum, which is mainly great antioxidant protection. A non-stabilized formula tends indeed to be pro-oxidant instead of anti-oxidant. Hence the importance of its stability!
Unfortunately, it’s quite difficult to find vitamin C serums that tick all these boxes!
Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster:
This concentrated booster with 15% pure vitamin C dramatically brightens uneven skin while improving the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
- Reveals a more radiant complexion.
- Vitamin C visibly brightens skin.
- Feather-light, liquid formula absorbs quickly.
- Use alone or add to your moisturizer or serum.
If I had to summarize it, I would say that the brand uses scientifically recognized ingredients in its formulas for better effectiveness (vitamin C, retinol, exfoliating acids, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides, sunscreen…) and that they systematically discard any ingredient that may be irritating to the skin (alcohol, perfume, essential oils…).
I also like the idea of “boosters”, these treatments that you can add to your skincare routine to jazz it a little bit and to treat your skin when it needs it (or you can just do like me and use them all the time because #moreismore 😉 ).
I consider the C15 Super Booster as a serum and I use it every morning to give my complexion a glow and also to help my skin protect itself from environmental aggressions.
With its 15% vitamin C L-Ascorbic concentration, it’s been very effective on my dark pigmentation spots and also on boosting collagen production.
For the boosting collagen effect, the results are visible in the very long term so I’ll probably talk about it again in ten years??
If you check the specifications of the perfect vitamin C serum I gave you earlier, the C15 Super Booster is doing a pretty good job!
– its texture is liquid and non-greasy
– it contains 15% L-ascorbic acid
– it also contains vitamin E and Ferulic acid and even a peptide and hyaluronic acid,
– its pH is 3.0
– its bottle is not transparent (it’s an opaque white tinted glass)
However, It’s Not cheap for a product that lasts me a maximum of 2 and a half months, by using it once a day in the morning on my face and neck (I also apply it to the eye area as recommended by the brand).
Regarding my user experience, I appreciated it! I use it at the very beginning of my morning routine, before the rest of my products. It’s very liquid and absorbs quickly into the skin (it tends to be a little bit sticky, but nothing too bad).
It didn’t irritate my skin, despite its low pH, wasn’t drying either, thanks to its moisturizing ingredients (a peptide and some low molecular weight hyaluronic acid).
It also gave me good results on the radiance of my complexion, which is always good!
In conclusion:
I really like this C15 Super Booster from Paula’s Choice. Its formula is very well made, as often with Paula’s Choice products, with all the essential ingredients for a good result on the skin, and without unnecessary fillers.
Pros:
- it contains 15% of vitamin C L-ascorbic
- the low pH which allows the formula to be effective (3.0)
- the presence of vitamin E and ferulic acid both of which stabilize vitamin C
- it doesn't dehydrate the skin (thanks to some moisturizing active ingredients in the formula)
- it protects the skin thanks to its antioxidant properties
- it maintained the radiance of my skin
- it also helps to smooth the texture of my skin
- I appreciate its boosting protection effect when combined with a sunscreen product
- the super-liquid texture is easily absorbed
- no added fragrance or dyes
Cons:
- expensive but worth it
Packaging:
A white opaque tinted glass bottle with a pipette.
Fragrance:
It smells a bit like orange, yet there is no added perfume in it.
Texture:
Very liquid but tends to be a little bit sticky.
For:
– all skin types, including the most sensitive
– tired, dull skin, smokers or people living in a highly polluted environment
– skins with uneven texture
– skins with hyperpigmentation
– skins with a lack of firmness and elasticity
Concerns:
– tired skin
– lack of radiance
– smokers
– skins exposed to pollution
– mature skin
– lack of firmness
– wrinkles, fine lines
– scars
– pigment spots
– hyperpigmentation
Method I Used:
I use it every morning on my face and neck after I have cleansed my skin with a low pH foaming cleanser and toned my skin. Usually, I wait a few seconds for my face to dry a little because the skin moisture can decrease somewhat the effectiveness of vitamin C.
I apply 7 to 9 drops of product on my face and neck and I let it absorb for a few minutes before carrying on with the rest of my routine.
I particularly appreciate that it absorbs very quickly in my skin because I layer several skincare products in my routine, so I really like this very liquid texture.
Key Ingredients:
The formula of this serum is very well made, each ingredient is super useful to the skin here. Inside, you can find:
– an ANTIOXIDANT complex containing 15% L-ASCORBIC ACID, FERULIC ACID, and VITAMIN E: these three combined ingredients boost the antioxidant effects of vitamin C and also make it more stable (paired vitamin C is more effective and can be used over a longer period of time without it oxidizing too quickly).
– GLYCERIN: a humectant ingredient that retains the skin’s natural moisture.
– LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT HYALURONIC ACID: deeply moisturizes the skin, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
– a PEPTIDE (Hexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate): anti-aging effect.
– BISABOLOL: soothing.
– PANTHENOL: soothing, moisturizing, repairing.
The C15 Super Booster serum also has an acidic pH (3.0) which allows vitamin C to be more stable and effective for longer. Despite this acidic pH, I didn’t feel any irritation when I was using it.
It’s a little on the expensive side!!
11
Comment
Janengz
Dry/Resilient
| 28 July, 2021
This specific vitamin C product was on my to try this for the longest time EVER and I’m pretty content now that I have tried it!
My skin is really prone to hyperpigmentations so using a vitamin c as a part of my morning routine is pretty essential but I’ve heard that this PC Vit C serum is a dupe for Skinceuticals CE Ferulic and I’m like yes definitely adding this to the bag hahah
I enjoyed this a lot. It’s probably in my top 3 Vitamin C products! I like how the product include different ingredients that combine and work to brighten, rather than just focusing on Vitamin C alone.
This includes:
🍊Ascorbic Acid
🍊Tocopherol
🍊Sodium Hyaluronate
🍊Ferulic Acid
🍊Panthenol
This did a pretty good job in fading my pigmentations but what I noticed a lot is that any up coming/new pigments were a lot lighter/less pigmented? Idk if that made any sense hahah but yeah like if I was to have a spot and I always get hyperpigmention after my spots, the hyperpigmentation would be a lot lighter in general!
The first few times I used this I did notice a slight tingling sensation, but after that it was all good! The only thing I will nitpick on is the price point😞 it’s a bit steep for sure but the quality of the product is really good!
2
Comment
SherlockMinute
Oily/Sensitive
| 17 April, 2021
Benefits:
🎯 The texture of this serum is great for my oily skin and absorbs well without leaving a residue. It can turn milky when it hasn’t received enough time to absorb before the next product is layered.
🍊 The serum does have a very pale yellow/orange tint to it, but this is normal.
💝 There is no fragrance contained in this product and I did not detect any offensive odors during use.
🛡 During my use of this product, I did not experience any irritation and while it did not clear up my two stubborn pigmentation spots it did leave my skin feeling healthy and glowy.
Claims:
🎯 Paula’s Choice RESIST C15 Super Booster contains 15% vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid, along with vitamin E (tocopherol) and ferulic acid. This antioxidant triple combo is commonly known as C+E+Ferulic. Antioxidant ingredients can work synergistically to replenish each other, which means greater overall antioxidant ability (read: anti-aging action). This means it works better on the skin – vitamins C and E together are twice as effective at UV protection as either vitamin alone, while C+E+Ferulic was found to be twice as good as vitamins C + E together or ferulic acid alone.
🧴 It also oxidises slower in the bottle, so the shelf life is much better. A water-based ascorbic acid serum by itself has a shelf life of a few weeks before it’s too oxidised to be beneficial, which you can see as the serum turns yellow in colour. In contrast, the C+E+Ferulic combo has a shelf life of a few months (longer if you keep it in the dark, without air exposure and in a cold place).
💨 It will oxidize after a few months like all vitamin c products. The cap can be a bit of a hassle sometimes, so make sure to close it tight to prevent leaks and oxidize.
🍊 This is a high concentration of 15% Ascorbic Acid. If you have sensitive skin, this may be too potent so patch test prior to application, or search for a weaker / derivative form of Vitamin C.
2
Comment
LALABeautyGirl
Oily/Sensitive
| 12 April, 2021
I was gifted this product by Paula’s Choice earlier this year, and I absolutely had an enjoyable experience. The serum is very easy to use , as it is fragrance free. I love how it incorporates vitamin C as a main ingredient. Very hydrating and great effect on my skin.
There are no disadvantages
2
Comment
Jane12345
Oily/Resilient
| 3 March, 2021
This stuff has been working well for me! I don’t think I see a drastic difference compared to other Vitamin C serums I’ve used but it does the job well and it’s not irritating.
I think the smell wasn’t the best but what Vitamin C is?
2
Comment
vbyerley
Oily/Resilient
| 24 February, 2021
Upon opening, I was pleasantly surprised to see the dropper packaged separately from the bottle. The application itself was smooth and did not leave my face sticky.
I really like how it feels on my skin, and am incorporating it as part of my morning routine. I nearly immediately noticed my skin glowing. I believe it will continue to help with my acne scars and brighten my face.
The scent wasn’t as refreshing as I’d like (it was unscented/natural). Someone likened it to the smell of “hot dog water” and that seems pretty accurate in terms of scent. It was fairly runny when trying to apply, and is really easy to get in your eyes if not careful!
1
Comment
W
WITHINSKINCARE
Oily/Sensitive
| 25 November, 2021
talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, shit on it, vomit on it, eat it, give birth to it.
Paula’s Choice is a fantastic brand, even though prices are quite hugh. The serum is a fantastic blend of vitamin c, vitamin e and ferulic acid. It’s better to store it in the fridge.
I’ve experienced fantastic results.
Nothing at all. Paula’s Choice is an assurance of quality and scientific research.
T
tschenge
Oily/Resilient
| 22 November, 2021
I really like this product, really lightweight.
My skin absorbs it in quite quickly, but it leaves a sticky residue, so I have to wait till I can apply the moisturizer.
secubu
Oily/Sensitive
| 11 September, 2021
This was my 1st Vitamin C serum and I don’t want to look for the alternatives :) My skin is sensitive, but this serum never irritated me. Helped me with my red cheeks, some dark spots, made my skin soft and radiant.
The price is high, especially in my country.
F
funnytiger
Oily/Resilient
| 5 February, 2021
I really like the texture of this
Absorbs to my skin really well
Does what it claims
Good opaque packaging so vit c won’t oxidize
Very pricey, going to find cheaper alternatives
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