Compare Products: C15 Super Booster vs Niacinamide Oil Control Serum

Paula's Choice

C15 Super Booster

Premium
$55 / 20ml — $2.75/ml
The Inkey List

Niacinamide Oil Control Serum

Budget10%
$10.5 / 30ml — $0.35/ml

Who It's Designed For

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
The Inkey List
  • Oily and combination skin seeking oil control
  • Acne-prone skin wanting to reduce blemishes
  • Enlarged pores and uneven texture
  • Those sensitive to zinc who want a niacinamide serum
  • Niacinamide beginners looking for a gentle entry point

Key Ingredients

Paula's Choice

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

The Inkey List

Niacinamide (10%), Hyaluronic Acid (1%)

Product Composition

22% similarity (9 ingredients in common)

Shared Ingredients
water (aqua/eau)glycerinsodium hyaluronatesodium gluconatepanthenolsodium phytatesodium hydroxidecitric acidphenoxyethanol
Only in Paula's Choice (17)
ascorbic acidethoxydiglycolppg-26-buteth-26mannitoltridecapeptide-1palmitoyl tripeptide-5pentylene glycolpeg-40 hydrogenated castor oilbisabololdecylene glycolferulic acidoryza sativa (rice) bran extracttocopherolpolyacrylate crosspolymer-612-hexanediolergothioneine
Only in The Inkey List (15)
niacinamidepropanediolbutylene glycolhydroxyethylcellulosephospholipidssqualanexanthan gumglycine soja (soybean) oilallantoinpolysorbate 60glycolipidsleuconostoc/radish root ferment filtratesorbitan isostearateglycine soja (soybean) sterolshyaluronic acid

User Feedback Patterns

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.

The Inkey List
No pilling

Multiple users note this formula does not ball up under other products or makeup, unlike some competing niacinamide serums.

More hydrating than expected

Users with dry or combination skin report this feels more hydrating than pure niacinamide serums with zinc, likely due to the squalane, HA, and lack of zinc.

Packaging frustrations

The squeeze bottle with press-down cap makes it difficult to control how much product dispenses. Some users report buildup around the opening.

Visible pore improvement

Consistent feedback about reduced pore appearance within 2-4 weeks of daily use.

Which Should You Buy?

The Inkey List Niacinamide Oil Control Serum 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