C15 Super Booster

Our best-selling 15% vitamin C brightens skin, improves the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles & boosts glow in 15 minutes for immediate results–without irritation. <ul> <li>15% vitamin C visibly brightens skin</li> <li>Ferulic acid & ergothioneine boost visible results</li> <li>Gentle formula absorbs quickly for immediate results</li> <li>Use alone or add to your non-SPF moisturizer or serum</li> </ul>

Diminishes visible signs of aging for brighter, smoother skin with an exclusive blend of 15% stabilized vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid) at a pH range of 3.1–3.5, potent antioxidants ferulic acid, ergothioneine, vitamin E and skin-smoothing peptides. You’ll see younger-looking and more radiant skin with each use.

Use after cleansing, toning & exfoliating, up to twice daily. During the day, finish with a moisturizer with SPF 30 or greater. Can be applied under the eye area, avoiding the eye itself.

Smooth 2-3 drops all over face & neck. Use on its own or add to your favorite serum or moisturizer. Up to 60 uses for full-size 0.67 fl. oz. bottle.

Ascorbic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Ergothioneine, Tridecapeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5

Is the C15 Super Booster good for breakout-prone skin?

Yes, the skin-loving benefits of vitamin C plus key antioxidants in this booster support healthy skin which in turn may eliminate some of the triggers that drive acne. These ingredients can also help fade post-breakout marks.

Is the C15 Super Booster good for rosacea or sensitive skin?

Yes, most people with sensitive skin can use vitamin C safely. The amount of vitamin C (15%) in C15 Super Booster is potent, but the formula is suitable for sensitive skin because of the additional skin-soothing ingredients and extra formulary steps taken to ensure its stability and gentleness. Vitamin C isn’t known to cause skin irritation, but if you notice dryness, redness or stinging, we recommend reducing application frequency, or mixing 2-3 drops into your other serums or non-SPF moisturizer. If you've experienced sensitization to higher amounts of vitamin C, we recommend you consider our C5 Super Boost Moisturizer which contains 5% vitamin C.

Is the effectiveness of the C15 Super Booster reduced if I mix it with other products?

No. The formula was designed to complement the ingredients in our serums and non-SPF moisturizers. We recommend you just don’t mix it into your sunscreen because mixing any non-SPF skin care product with sunscreens can reduce their effectiveness against UV rays.

Are there any products or ingredients the C15 Super Booster cannot be used with?

The only ingredients you shouldn’t use with vitamin C are copper peptides. Copper peptides can oxidize pure vitamin C, 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. Aside from this exception, you can typically use vitamin C along with other ingredients such vitamins, antioxidants, AHA, BHA and more.

Can you combine vitamin C and retinol?

Yes, research shows that vitamin C and retinol work well together to deliver radiant, smooth skin while defending against environmental damage, especially when applied under sunscreen. When combined in the same formula, vitamin C helps to stabilize retinol, prolonging its potency so this proven anti-aging ingredient works better longer.

Can you combine niacinamide and vitamin C?

Yes, niacinamide and vitamin C are complementary antioxidants and research supports using them together, whether in the same product or layered in separate steps. This pairing helps visibly improve dullness, uneven tone, loss of firmness and the look of fine lines, giving skin a healthier, more youthful appearance.

What is the difference between the C15 Super Booster and the 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum?

The C15 Super Booster contains 15% pure ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and is a great option for anyone who wants a daily dose of vitamin C to help fortify skin and improve minor skin discoloration or dullness. It can be used alone or mixed into your favorite serum or non-SPF moisturizer. The 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum contains two vitamin C esters: 23% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and 2% ascorbyl glucoside and is best suited for those with advanced concerns related to discolorations, uneven skin tone and lack of firmness. Each product can be used on its own or in combination with one another (e.g., C15 during the day and 25% Vitamin C at night). Whether to use one or both will depend on your primary concerns and tolerance for these ingredients. We suggest experimenting to see what works best for your skin. As with all bioactive ingredients, start slowly and increase use as desired/needed.

What’s the difference between a booster and a serum?

While boosters and serums both deliver impressive results, there are a couple of things to consider when it comes to how to choose a vitamin C serum. A booster is designed for targeted concentration, while a serum offers a balanced blend of multiple skin-benefiting ingredients. For example, our C15 Super Booster provides 15% pure vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and can be applied alone or mixed into your serum or non-SPF moisturizer for a powerful boost. Our 25% Vitamin C Serum combines vitamin C with other antioxidants, skin-replenishing and skin-restoring ingredients for comprehensive care. Many find using both—the booster for potency and the serum for all-around benefits, delivers optimal results.

When to use vitamin C booster in my skin care routine?

There are two ways to use a vitamin C booster in your skin care routine. Apply on its own after cleansing, toning and exfoliating—before other treatments or moisturizer, or mix it into your other treatment products or non-SPF moisturizer and apply as a single step. The vitamin C booster can be applied morning or night, up to twice daily if your skin tolerates it well. If preferred, adjust frequency based on your skin’s response.

Is the vitamin C in C15 Super Booster safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

Yes, all forms of vitamin C used in skin care, including ascorbic acid, which is in C15 Super Booster, are generally considered safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. However, if you’re uncertain about using any new skin care product or ingredient, check with your physician and follow their advice. For additional information on this topic, be sure to review our article about which skin care products are safe during pregnancy.

Does C15 Super Booster have a noticeable scent?

While Paula's Choice products are fragrance-free, each product may have a unique scent due to its ingredients. While our team worked to improve the scent of this formula, our new and improved C15 Super Booster may have a noticeable scent to some due to the combination of ingredients it contains. This scent dissipates quickly after application. The perception of smell can vary greatly between individuals, so what one person notices, another may not notice at all. Many customers find that they quickly get used to the unique scents of Paula's Choice products and that the benefits outweigh any potential drawbacks. Learn more about fragrance-free skin care. 

How does the packaging of the C15 Super Booster keep the product stable?

To protect the potency of the formula, we've opted for a UV coated glass container (to shield from light) and an internal restrictor which drastically reduces airflow per use. In rigorous testing, these packaging safeguards proved adequate at preserving the effectiveness of the vitamin C and other key ingredients in this formula for a period of three months once opened.

My C15 Super Booster has changed color. Is it still okay to use?

The C15 Super Booster can range from a clear to pale peach and even amber tone. This variation is normal and doesn’t affect its effectiveness. Vitamin C products like the C15 Super Booster tend to darken over time after opening due to exposure to air and light. This darkening doesn’t mean it’s spoiled, but it does indicate a decrease in potency. We recommend using your unopened C15 Super Booster within 18 months (shelf life) of purchase. Once opened, use it within three months (PAO) for optimal effectiveness. If your C15 Super Booster turns dark orange or brown along with a noticeable texture change, it’s a sign that the vitamin C has degraded significantly and it’s time to replace it for full benefits. Tip: use a Sharpie-type marker to write the date of opening on the bottom of the bottle. To learn more about the C15 Super Booster color changes, visit our Help Center article.