C5 Super Boost Moisturizer

The C5 Super Boost Moisturizer is a silky, gel-cream moisturizer that provides long-lasting hydration and improves visible signs of aging from sun damage. Dual-encapsulated lipid blend supports the skin’s barrier for a supple, youthful-looking complexion that is perfectly primed for makeup application.

This lightweight moisturizer superboosts hydration, evenness and radiance with a blend of powerful ingredients. First, 5% stabilized vitamin C visibly lifts dullness and promotes firmness by fighting free-radical damage. Then, hexapeptide-5, lipids and polyglutamic acid strengthen the moisture barrier for lasting hydration over time.

- Use once or twice daily.
- Apply a small amount to face and neck.
- For daytime, always finish withsunscreen.

Key Ingredients: 3-O Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Squalane, Acetyl sh-Hexapeptide-5 Amide Acetate, Acetyl Zingerone

All Ingredients: Water (Solvent | Good), Dicaprylyl Carbonate (Emollient, Solvent | Good), 3-O Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (Antioxidant | Best), Dimethicone (Silicone, Emollient | Best), Butylene Glycol (Humectant, Texture Enhancer | Good), Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate (Emollient, Emulsifier, Cleansing Agent | Good), Ascorbyl Glucoside (Antioxidant | Best), Squalane (Emollient, Antioxidant | Best), Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer (Suspending/Dispersing Agent, Texture Enhancer, Polymer | Good), Acetyl sh-Hexapeptide-5 Amide Acetate (Peptides | Best), Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil (Antioxidant, Plant Extracts | Best), Hydrogenated Lecithin (Emollient, Emulsifier, Suspending/Dispersing Agent | Best), Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter (Emollient, Plant Extracts, Antioxidant | Best), Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine (Emollient, Emulsifier | Good), Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (Antioxidant | Good), Sodium Hyaluronate (Humectant, Antioxidant | Best), Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract (Humectant, Antioxidant, Chelating Agent | Best), Propanediol (Solvent, Texture Enhancer | Good), Jojoba Esters (Emollient, Plant Extracts, Texture Enhancer | Best), Tocopherol (Antioxidant | Best), Acetyl Zingerone (Antioxidant, Plant Extracts | Best), Cetyl Palmitate (Texture Enhancer, Emollient | Good), Caprylyl Glycol (Preservative, Plant Extracts | Good), Cetyl Alcohol (Texture Enhancer, Emollient, Emulsifier | Good), Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax (Cleansing Agent, Emulsifier | Good), Sodium Hydroxide (pH Adjuster/Stabilizer | Average), Sorbitan Olivate (Cleansing Agent, Emulsifier | Good), Sorbitan Palmitate (Emulsifier, Cleansing Agent | Good), Helianthus Annuus Sunflower Seed Extract (Antioxidant, Plant Extracts | Best), Ethylhexylglycerin (Preservative, Humectant | Good), Hexylene Glycol (Solvent, Texture Enhancer | Good), Sodium Phytate (Chelating Agent | Good), Polysorbate 60 (Cleansing Agent, Emulsifier | Good), Sorbitan Isostearate (Cleansing Agent, Emulsifier | Good), Lecithin (Emollient, Emulsifier, Cleansing Agent | Best), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract (Plant Extracts, Antioxidant | Good), Glycine Soja Oil (Antioxidant, Plant Extracts, Emollient | Best), Lysolecithin (Cleansing Agent, Emulsifier | Good), Bacillus Ferment (Humectant, Peptides, Prebiotic/Probiotic/Postbiotic | Best), Citric Acid (pH Adjuster/Stabilizer, Chelating Agent | Good), Polyglutamic Acid (Humectant, Polymer | Best), Beta-Sitosterol (Plant Extracts, Emollient | Best), Phytic Acid (Humectant, Chelating Agent, Exfoliant | Good), Squalene (Emollient, Antioxidant | Best), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative | Good), Sodium Benzoate (Preservative | Good), Potassium Sorbate (Preservative | Good)

Ingredient Spotlight:

• 3-O Ethyl Ascorbic Acid: This potent antioxidant is a highly stable form of vitamin C that improves skin tone, helps fade discolorations, and visibly firms skin. A more stable derivative of pure vitamin C; Capable of helping fade dark spots; Has water- and oil-soluble properties
• Ascorbyl Glucoside: Stable, water-soluble form of vitamin C that brightens dull skin and fades discolorations. Stable form of vitamin C easily penetrates skin; Brightening benefits enhanced by niacinamide; Helps improve skin’s environmental defenses
• Squalane: Prevents moisture loss and restores suppleness to skin. Also strengthens skin’s barrier and provides antioxidant support. Helps prevent moisture loss; Restores suppleness to skin; Helps strengthen skin’s barrier
• Acetyl sh-Hexapeptide-5 Amide Acetate: Often called simply "hexapeptide-5", this peptide is derived from the versatile protein versican, which plays a role in skin’s extracellular matrix. Topical use promotes a firmer look and feel. Helps reinforce skin’s firmness and resilience; Topical use helps improves skin’s tautness; Considered gentle on skin
• Acetyl Zingerone: This ginger-derived antioxidant offers a long list of benefits to skin, mostly around offsetting the visible impact of environmental exposure and helping to visibly repair past damage. Potent, ginger-derived antioxidant; Helps offset numerous visible signs of aging from environmental damage; Very good stability in the presence of UV light

Free Radical Biology and Medicine, July 2021, pages 151–169
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, July 2021, pages 194–202
Journal of Food Biochemistry, June 2021, ePublication
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, December 2020 Supplement, page AB192
Nanomaterials, August 2020, pages 1–13
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, July 2019, pages 1–9
ACS Open, July 2017, pages 3,989–3,996
Indian Journal of Dermatology, May-June 2016, pages 279–297
Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, April 2014, pages 153–158

What types of vitamin C are used in C5 Super Boost Moisturizer?

The C5 Super Boost Moisturizer is made with two highly stable types of vitamin C: 3-O ethyl ascorbic acid (3%) and ascorbyl glucoside (2%). The 3-O form is both water- and oil-soluble, while ascorbyl glucoside is water-soluble. Together, they deliver multi-level vitamin C benefits. Skin converts 3-O ethyl ascorbic acid and ascorbyl glucoside to L-ascorbic acid, the most research-backed form of vitamin C. L-ascorbic acid helps fight off free radicals and external stressors, lessening the aging impact of both.

Why did we choose to use these two forms of vitamin C vs. L-ascorbic acid?

We chose these types of vitamin C because of their stability, efficacy, and global regulatory compliance which helps ensure we can offer these amazing products to Paula’s Choice customers around the world. They’re both highly stable and work on all skin types, including those who tend to be a bit sensitive to our other vitamin C products.

Is C5 Super Boost Moisturizer suitable for rosacea-prone or sensitive skin?

Yes, the C5 Super Boost Moisturizer is suitable for rosacea-prone and sensitive skin, but we recommend starting slow and using it 2-3 times per week in case you experience any redness or sensitivity. Let skin adjust to the new product, then work your way up.

Is C5 Super Boost Moisturizer good for acne-prone skin?

Yes, C5 Super Boost Moisturizer is suitable for acne-prone skin, especially when used as part of a completeanti-acne skin care routine.

Can you use two products with vitamin C at the same time?

Yes, you can use two or more vitamin C formulas together. For example, you can use C5 Super Boost Moisturizer with othervitamin C skin care products. By combining vitamin C products, you get better free-radical protection and environmental defense, plus improvements in discolorations, wrinkles and loss of firmness. Try using them in the morning, always following with SPF.

Can you use this vitamin C cream under and around your eyes?

Yes, C5 Super Boost Moisturizer is safe to use under and around your eyes, but we recommend avoiding eyelids and along the lower lash line.

Can you use vitamin C with other active ingredients like retinol or peptides?

Research shows that vitamin C works even better with other active ingredients like niacinamide, retinol, peptides and AHA/BHA. Here are a few of our favorite combos:

Vitamin C + Retinol: Retinol (in the form of retinyl palmitate) and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) are naturally present in skin, where they work together to keep it healthy.Vitamin C and retinolcan coexist and maintain their benefits in a single formula, or they may be formulated separately and layered.

Vitamin C + Peptides: Ascorbic acid plays well with almost all peptides, working to protect skin and help visibly repair damage. The only exception: copper peptides. These tend to oxidize ascorbic acid, making it less effective on skin. When using vitamin C and copper peptides in your routine, we recommend using one in the morning and the other at night to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Vitamin C + Niacinamide: Together,vitamin C and niacinamideform a powerhouse combo that addresses uneven tone, wrinkles, loss of firmness and dullness. All skin types will see radiant, smooth, more even, and younger-looking skin when pairing these two ingredients.

Vitamin C + AHA/BHA: The exfoliating action of AHA or BHA sheds buildup of dead cells to help vitamin C sink into skin better. UsingAHA/BHAbefore vitamin C helps it be more effective.