Compare Products: C15 Super Booster vs SuperSolutions 20% Niacinamide Serum

Paula's Choice

C15 Super Booster

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

SuperSolutions 20% Niacinamide Serum

Budget20%
$17.99 / 30ml — $0.60/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
  • Very oily skin seeking maximum oil control
  • Stubborn enlarged pores unresponsive to lower niacinamide concentrations
  • Users who have tolerated 10-15% niacinamide and want to increase strength
  • Budget-conscious users wanting clinical-strength actives
  • Those seeking exfoliating effects (20% niacinamide has mild exfoliating properties)

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 (20%), Zinc PCA (0.5%), Squalane (3%)

Product Composition

20% similarity (7 ingredients in common)

Shared Ingredients
water (aqua/eau)glycerinsodium hyaluronatesodium gluconatesodium phytatesodium hydroxidephenoxyethanol
Only in Paula's Choice (19)
ascorbic acidethoxydiglycolppg-26-buteth-26mannitoltridecapeptide-1palmitoyl tripeptide-5pentylene glycolpeg-40 hydrogenated castor oilbisabololdecylene glycolferulic acidoryza sativa (rice) bran extracttocopherolpolyacrylate crosspolymer-612-hexanediolpanthenolcitric acidergothioneine
Only in The Inkey List (9)
niacinamidebutylene glycolsqualanebenzyl alcoholammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerzinc pcapolysorbate 60dehydroacetic acidsorbitan isostearate

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
Serious oil control

Users with very oily skin consistently report this as one of the most effective oil-control products they have tried. Many note all-day mattifying effect.

Strong but not irritating

Despite the 20% concentration, most users report no irritation. However, patch testing is frequently mentioned as important for first-time users.

Better than The Ordinary

Users who found The Ordinary's 10% niacinamide too weak or pilling-prone often prefer this. The gel texture absorbs cleanly.

Can leave white cast if overused

Some users report a white film if they apply too much. The brand addresses this: use less product and follow immediately with moisturizer.

Which Should You Buy?

The Inkey List SuperSolutions 20% Niacinamide 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.

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