C5 Super Boost Moisturizer

Paula's Choice

Where to buy Possibly in stock

About this product

The Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer is a moisturizer. Our analysis of its 47 ingredients (36 low-risk) rates it Excellent (99/100).

Reef-safe

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Moisturizers
Ingredients
47
Low-risk
36
Fragrance
Fragrance-free
Origin
United States

The evidence

Quick Product Notes

Paraben-Free Sulfate-Free Alcohol-Free Silicone-Free EU Allergen-Free Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe

Notable Effects & Ingredients

No Notable Effects & Ingredients

Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Good   Bad — tap a skin type to see which ingredients · estimated from ingredient functions
Dry Skin 12/13
Good for dry skin
Dicaprylyl Carbonate Cetyl Alcohol Cetyl Palmitate Squalane Squalene Caprylyl Glycol Butylene Glycol Sodium Hyaluronate Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate Jojoba Esters Dimethicone Lecithin
Caution for dry skin
Lysolecithin Cetyl Alcohol Sorbitan Olivate Sorbitan Isostearate Sorbitan Palmitate Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine Hexylene Glycol Hydrogenated Lecithin Sodium Hydroxide Polysorbate 60 Lecithin
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin No data
Sensitive Skin 4/9
Good for sensitive skin
Ascorbyl Glucoside Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate Jojoba Esters Dimethicone
Caution for sensitive skin
Beta-Sitosterol Cetyl Alcohol Cetyl Palmitate Butylene Glycol Hexylene Glycol Citric Acid Sodium Benzoate Potassium Sorbate Phenoxyethanol

Ingredients list

47 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (4)
All47 Skin Conditioning37 Surfactant12 Emulsifying12 Fragrance11 Emollient10 Masking6 Skin Protecting5 Skin Conditioning Emollient4
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1
Water
(Solvent)
1
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient)
3-O-ETHYL ASCORBIC ACID
(Skin Conditioning)
3
A
Dimethicone
(Antifoaming Agent, Skin Protecting, Emollient, Skin Conditioning)
Silicone
Silicone
1
A
Butylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscositydecreasing Agent, Humectant, Masking, Viscosity Controlling)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
1
B
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying, Surfactant)
1
Ascorbyl Glucoside
(Antioxidant)
1
A
Squalane
(Emollient, Hair Conditioning, Refatting, Skin Conditioning)
1
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling)
Acetyl Sh-Hexapeptide-5 Amide Acetate
(Skin Conditioning)
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Emollient)
2
A
Hydrogenated Lecithin
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant)
THEOBROMA CACAO SEED BUTTER
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Emollient, Skin Protecting)
1
A
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant)
1
A
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
(Antioxidant)
1
A
Sodium Hyaluronate
(Skin Conditioning, Humectant)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting)
1
Propanediol
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Jojoba Esters
(Emollient, Moisturising, Skin Conditioning, Soothing)
TOCOPHEROL
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
Acetyl Zingerone
(Antioxidant, Chelating, Skin Protecting)
1
B
Cetyl Palmitate
(Fragrance, Emollient, Masking, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Caprylyl Glycol
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Humectant)
1
A
Cetyl Alcohol
(Emulsion Stabilising, Fragrance, Opacifying, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Masking, Viscosity Controlling)
1
B
Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
3
B
Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
1
A
Sorbitan Olivate
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
Sorbitan Palmitate
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
Helianthus Annuus Extract
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Emollient)
1
A
Ethylhexylglycerin
(Deodorant, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Hexylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Emulsifying, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant)
1
Sodium Phytate
(Chelating Agent, Oral Care Agent)
3
B
Polysorbate 60
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
Sorbitan Isostearate
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
2
3
Lecithin
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Antistatic Agent, Emollient)
rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract
(Antimicrobial, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
Glycine Soja Oil
(Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Emollient)
1
A
Lysolecithin
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
1
Bacillus Ferment
(Skin Conditioning)
2
A
Citric Acid
(Chelating Agent, Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
1
Polyglutamic Acid
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Beta-Sitosterol
(Emulsion Stabilising, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Stabilising)
1
Phytic Acid
(Chelating Agent, Oral Care Agent)
1
A
Squalene
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Antistatic Agent, Refatting)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
4
A
Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative)
Paraben
Paraben
3
A
Sodium Benzoate
(Fragrance, Preservative, Anticorrosive, Masking)
3
A
Potassium Sorbate
(Fragrance, Preservative)

My Ingredient Notes

No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.

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Key ingredients

Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Skin Conditioning, Emollient
3-O-ETHYL ASCORBIC ACID
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Skin Protecting, Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Humectant
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant

Benefits

No standout benefits flagged for this product.

Concerns

Contains paraben
Contains silicone
Not fungal acne (malassezia) safe
May not suit dry skin
May not suit sensitive skin

Ingredients explained

Water
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Skin conditioning, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioningEmollient
3-O-ETHYL ASCORBIC ACID
Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioning
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Skin conditioning, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B Skin conditioningEmollientEmulsifyingSurfactant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient, Hair conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmollientHair conditioningRefattingSkin conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion stabilising, Viscosity controlling
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Emulsion stabilisingViscosity controlling
Acetyl Sh-Hexapeptide-5 Amide Acetate
Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioning
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Skin conditioning, Skin conditioning emollient
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioningSkin conditioning emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Skin conditioning, Emulsifying
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A Skin conditioningEmulsifyingSurfactantSuspending agent- nonsurfactant
THEOBROMA CACAO SEED BUTTER
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragranceSkin conditioningSkin conditioning emollientSkin protecting
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Skin conditioning, Emulsifying
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioningEmulsifyingSurfactant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Antioxidant
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin conditioning, Skin protecting
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioningSkin protecting
Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity decreasing agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 SolventViscosity decreasing agentViscosity controlling
+ 23 more — see the full ingredients list above
Dimethicone
Antifoaming agent, Skin protecting
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Antifoaming agentSkin protectingEmollientSkin conditioning Silicone
Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSkin conditioningSolventViscositydecreasing agentHumectantMaskingViscosity controlling Good for Dry Skin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin conditioning, Humectant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioningHumectant Good for Dry Skin
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying, Surfactant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmulsifyingSurfactant Fungal-acne trigger
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying, Surfactant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmulsifyingSurfactant Fungal-acne trigger
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying, Surfactant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR B EmulsifyingSurfactant Fungal-acne trigger
Citric Acid
Chelating agent, Fragrance
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A Chelating agentFragrancePh adjusterBuffering agentMasking Bad for Sensitive Skin
Squalene
Hair conditioning, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Hair conditioningSkin conditioningEmollientAntistatic agentRefatting Fungal-acne trigger
Phenoxyethanol
Fragrance, Preservative
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR A FragrancePreservative Paraben

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Where it fits: Apply near the end of your routine, after thinner serums.
  • 2 Morning works well: Antioxidants like vitamin C pair well with daytime use under sunscreen.

General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.

Trust & honesty

Officially notified as a cosmetic in Malaysia (NPRA). Government registration record.

Effective levels — general guide

The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.

Vitamin C (ascorbic) 5–20%

L-ascorbic acid is usually used at 5–20% (around 10–15% is common). Above ~20% adds little and tends to irritate more; it also needs a low pH to work.

3-O-ETHYL ASCORBIC ACID, Ascorbyl Glucoside

INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.

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