Compare Products: Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% vs C15 Super Booster

Naturium

Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%

Budget12%
$17 / 30ml — $0.57/ml
Paula's Choice

C15 Super Booster

Premium
$55 / 20ml — $2.75/ml

Who It's Designed For

Naturium
  • Oily and combination skin seeking sebum control
  • Uneven skin tone and dark spots
  • Fine lines and early signs of aging
  • Enlarged pores and textured skin
  • Those who want higher niacinamide concentration than standard 10%
Paula's Choice
  • Those seeking a CE Ferulic serum with added peptide benefits
  • Users who want collagen stimulation from both vitamin C and peptides
  • People who prefer mixing a vitamin C booster into their existing products
  • Prestige skincare shoppers who want the formula at Sephora
  • Users comfortable with 15% L-ascorbic acid concentration

Key Ingredients

Naturium

Niacinamide (12%), Zinc PCA (2%)

Paula's Choice

15% L-Ascorbic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Peptides (Tridecapeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5), Sodium Hyaluronate

Product Composition

22% similarity (7 ingredients in common)

Shared Ingredients
waterglycerinpolyacrylate crosspolymer-11sodium hyaluronatephenoxyethanolglyceryl polyacrylatecitric acid
Only in Naturium (9)
niacinamidepropanediolzinc pcadimethiconecaprylyl glycolxanthan gumpotassium sorbatetocopheryl acetatehexylene glycol
Only in Paula's Choice (16)
ascorbic acidethoxydiglycolppg-26-buteth-26mannitoltridecapeptide-1palmitoyl tripeptide-5pentylene glycolpeg-40 hydrogenated castor oilbisabololdecylene glycolferulic acidoryza sativa (rice) bran extracttocopherol2-hexanediolpanthenolergothioneine

User Feedback Patterns

Naturium
Higher quality than The Ordinary

Users who have tried both brands frequently note Naturium feels 'better quality' with faster absorption and less pilling, though acknowledging The Ordinary costs less.

Effective but requires patience

Most users report visible improvement in skin texture and oil control within 2-4 weeks, with more significant changes at the 6-8 week mark.

Minimal scent issue

Some users note a subtle odd scent, though it dissipates quickly after application. Generally not a dealbreaker.

Layers well

Consistent praise for how this serum absorbs and layers under other products without pilling or feeling heavy.

Paula's Choice
Noticeable brightening

Users consistently report visible brightening and improved skin tone within 2-4 weeks. The 15% concentration is effective for most users.

Expensive per ml

At $55 for 20ml, this is one of the priciest vitamin C serums relative to volume. Users note the small bottle size is a drawback for daily full-face use.

Freshness concerns

Multiple reviewers report receiving bottles that appear already oxidized (yellow or orange). This is a recurring complaint that the brand has acknowledged.

Mixes well with other products

The booster format is praised for flexibility. Users mix it with moisturizer, sunscreen, or other serums without issues.

Which Should You Buy?

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% offers great value at a lower price point. Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster may be worth the premium if you want 15% L-Ascorbic Acid.

View Full Product Details

Related Comparisons