I’ve tried all PC boosters apart from the oil and 25% Vitamin C one, so here we go: an overview of them, my experiences and what skintype they’re for. Plus, my ranking from worst to best. For the best of Paula’s Choice boosters, read on!
Boosters?! What?!
“Paula’s Choice Skincare boosters provide higher concentrations of key ingredients to address your specific skincare concerns from loss of hydration to clogged pores and everything in between.”
Paula’s Choice
Think of them as flavour drops for your skincare: add one or more drops to your regular routine to target and customize. They are formulated to be mixed into other products (I most often mix them into my toner or serums). You could even mix more than one. I usually don’t do that, because most boosters are rather potent.
I love boosters for that: just add a few drops based on how your skin looks and feels on any given day, and customize your skincare so that it fits you.
That’s the beauty of boosters: you can basically use them however you want (there’re even people who use them solo). Just don’t forget your sunscreen as last step.
The best of Paula’s Choice boosters – ranked!
The best
10% Azelaic Acid Booster
For: people who can’t tolerate bezoylperoxide (BPO), but want to fight both outbreaks and hyperpigmentation stemming from breakouts
Texture: thick, white cream
What I think: That’s a booster I use solo over a toner. I do find the texture very light and pleasing – it sinks in quickly and leaves a light, silky finish. The combination of azelaic acid, BHA (salicylic acid) and licorice extract is meant to brighten, help heal marks from outbreaks and fight hyperpigmentation. It can also be used as a spot treatment.
- More on Azelaic Acid
10% Niacinamide Booster
For: uneven skintone, oily skin, outbreak-prone skin, large pores
Texture: Watery liquid
What I think: I mix three drops into my toner both in my AM and PM routine. Don’t use more – Niacinamide CAN be irritating in high concentrations. Studies have shown that concentrations between 2-5% are already effective fighting hyperpigmentation and uneven skintone. This booster can be superfluous, as nowadays so many skincare products already come with niacinamide. Check your products before you buy this one!
(Still, I do like this very much and credit this and the Azelaic Booster in giving me a brighter and more even skintone.)
- More on Niacinamide
The good
1% Retinol Booster
For: ONLY use this one if you’re a practiced retinol user! But then retinol is the No.1 anti-aging and anti-acne ingredient
Texture: a slightly yellow, rather liquid lotion
What I think: This was my first retinol product with a high percentage, and I do love it for its customizability. If your skin is sensitive to retinoids, mix it into a rich cream, for example. Also, it’s not just retinol in a lotiony base: no, it also comes with ceramides, antioxidants and peptides, which means it’s not only soothing, but also crammed full of anti-aging ingredients. The only downside is the pump mechanism – while it protects the formula, I do find it difficult to control.
The meh
Peptide Booster
For: wrinkles, firmness
Texture: thin, gel-like
I do have a difficult relationship with peptides. Most peptide products don’t do a thing for me, and this falls into that category. It’s a formula geared towards long-term anti-aging effects, full of antioxidants and amino acids. Other users use this on wrinkles around their mouths and between the eyes and are enthusiastic about visible effects. I’m just not. I mix this into a toner or serum, because the formula on its own can be sticky.
- More on peptides
Hyaluronic Acid Booster
For: skin in need of hydration, fine lines
Texture: gel-like
What I think: Whoo boy. Here’s my problem with this hyaluronic acid booster: the claim to “visibly plump skin”. No it does not! Sure, it’s moderately hydrating like almost every product with hyaluronic acid, and yes, it’s also somewhat soothing. (That’s from the panthenol and ceramides.) But that’s it. I absolutely don’t see any difference when using this, and I also can’t see any difference to cheap hyaluronic acid serums or toners I use or have used. I mix this into a toner or serum, because the formula on its own can be sticky.
- More on hyaluronic acid
The bad
C15 Super Booster
For: hyperpigmentation, evenness, firmness
Texture: Watery liquid, ranging from yellow to orange
What I think: That’s one of the boosters I use solo, and in generous quantities. Because this is basically PC’s version of Skinceutical’s Vitamin C serum, it uses Ascorbic Acid and Ferulic Acid in a watery base. That also means it starts to oxidise the second you open it. PC claims this is good for 3 months after opening, but I really struggled to use this up in this timeframe before it turned orange. In the end, I had to throw about ¼ of the bottle away, which is incredibly annoying. It’s definitely only for people whose skin tolerates both a rather high amount of ascorbic acid and a low pH. The formula isn’t really that unique, and I’d advise to go for a cheaper version of Vitamin C.
- More on Vitamin C
Please note that this review is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods, or money, for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
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