Paula's Choice C25 Super Booster, 15 ml - Spot Treatment

Vitamin C is known for its brightening abilities, so its great for lightening pigmentation. C25 Super Booster has a thick, goopy texture that’s more like a putty than a serum, but absorbs well into the skin and allows it to stay in place. It’s relatively simple, clean formulation with just eight ingredients in all. While it’s perfectly fine using it over broader areas for the treatment of wrinkles and dark patches, I personally wouldn’t recommend using this over your entire face ( the Ascorbic Acid is the second ingredient)z

A lot to love

I use this as a spot treatment on areas where I'm seeing some fine lines develop. I love the matte texture of this product - it's surprisingly lightweight and removes the shine from previous products on the areas where I apply it. I rarely find the need to use moisturizer after, because I don't find it drying at all. I do believe it has helped a bit with uneven skin tone and fine lines, but I also use the 1% retinol from Paula's Choice, so I'm not sure to what extent it's worked on the fine lines.Finally, I'm amazed at how long this tiny tube lasted me - I use a good dab of it every morning, and I'm just now reordering it after 6 months!

Another PC product I can't be without!

For many, many years I've been using PC products with fabulous results. I started with 2% bha, added the clinical 1% retinol when it came out, cleanser, toner, peptide booster, serums, moisturizers, sunscreen, etc. I use different products at different times but a few things I use everyday. I add a small amount of the vit c to the retinol 1%, azaelic acid, peptide booster and whatever serum I'm using at the time, mix them together and put it on face, neck, décolleté and back of neck. My hands also look great b/c I rub in whatever I have left on my hands. Right away I noticed I looked a little brighter but by the 8th week I had significant fading of all dark spots. Some are completely gone. It also works wonders on blemishes. After putting on all of my skincare ... MoreFor many, many years I've been using PC products with fabulous results. I started with 2% bha, added the clinical 1% retinol when it came out, cleanser, toner, peptide booster, serums, moisturizers, sunscreen, etc. I use different products at different times but a few things I use everyday. I add a small amount of the vit c to the retinol 1%, azaelic acid, peptide booster and whatever serum I'm using at the time, mix them together and put it on face, neck, décolleté and back of neck. My hands also look great b/c I rub in whatever I have left on my hands. Right away I noticed I looked a little brighter but by the 8th week I had significant fading of all dark spots. Some are completely gone. It also works wonders on blemishes. After putting on all of my skincare products a taker a dot of the vit c and put it right on the blemish without rubbing it in. By morning blemishes are much smaller or completely gone.

Just not for me.

This product was recommended to me from a helpful member of the PC team for darkness on my upper lip area - basically, I have a 5 O'clock shadow! I was really happy to try it but unfortunately, it's quite white in colour, chalky in texture and together that left a bit of a sandy residue look, which also caused my skin to feel dry. I also didn't notice much change in the discolouration.I have only said no to recommending it based on if you have combination and or brown or black skin. 2 (rather than 1) stars because the team were great in helping find other new products.

Serum is better

Love the C15 serum and thought this would be a great addition for one really-fine line that is bothering me. I use the serum in the morning and thought I would use this in the evening routine. However, the texture of this product is a dry paste. The finish is dry-powder like, for targeted areas, as opposed to all-over the face.I love most PC products but this one seems pointless. The other Vitamin C serum really gives you an all over radiance when the skin is looking dull. With this product, the reality is that the targeted area hasn't changed at all and I still need and want to apply the serum in the morning.Therefore the one that makes a difference remains the less concentrated vitamin c product and this seems a pointless addition.

Strong reaction to the product

I had used the C15 in the past and thought I'd give the C25 booster a go since I like what the C15 felt like on my skin. As with other reviews, it does have a odd texture to it, silky but a bit chalky feeling as well. After 3 days of use, my skin had a reaction...itchy and inflamed. Five days later, I have incredibly dry areas on my skin (around my eyes, sides of my mouth especially) that are peeling. I had to go see my skin therapist as nothing I was doing was helping reduce the dryness and peeling. I think the advice I would give if you've not used it before, is to go slow and spot areas. Oddly, my forehead did not have much of a reaction to it.

The strangest thing . . . but in a good way!

I used the earlier vitamin C booster off and on for years. While I can't say it ever did anything for my dark spots, I used it because I like the texture, it feels really nice on my skin, and I love the smell. I got this one a little while ago and forgot about it, just used it the other day for the first time. Same great texture and scent. I decided to also put a little on a few dark spots on one hand at the same time. And I noticed the strangest thing shortly after: the arthritis pain in my hand was gone. I thought maybe it was a coincidence, so I tried it again the next day and got the same result. Last night I rubbed a little in my knee, and the pain that had been tormenting me all day was gone in a minute. Is this product responsible? Is it magic? Not sure what ... MoreI used the earlier vitamin C booster off and on for years. While I can't say it ever did anything for my dark spots, I used it because I like the texture, it feels really nice on my skin, and I love the smell. I got this one a little while ago and forgot about it, just used it the other day for the first time. Same great texture and scent. I decided to also put a little on a few dark spots on one hand at the same time. And I noticed the strangest thing shortly after: the arthritis pain in my hand was gone. I thought maybe it was a coincidence, so I tried it again the next day and got the same result. Last night I rubbed a little in my knee, and the pain that had been tormenting me all day was gone in a minute. Is this product responsible? Is it magic? Not sure what to make of this, but I know 2 things: I will keep using this, and I will do some research on vitamin C and arthritis.

Utter disappointment

This was my second and definitely will be my last purchase from Paula's Choice. None of the products I bought did anything to treat my skin problems. This product has a weird texture and even when you follow the application instructions as described, the product does not absorb into the skin (I used it every night for about 6 weeks as a treatment for certain dark spots, not on my whole face) and it would always leave a sort of a white halo that would linger on the skin after a full night sleep proving that its texture has an inner problem that makes it impossible for the skin to absorb it, and therefore I wasn't surprised that I saw no results. Mind you that I would always begin with cleansing and doing a gentle exfoliation to my skin before using this product. ... MoreThis was my second and definitely will be my last purchase from Paula's Choice. None of the products I bought did anything to treat my skin problems. This product has a weird texture and even when you follow the application instructions as described, the product does not absorb into the skin (I used it every night for about 6 weeks as a treatment for certain dark spots, not on my whole face) and it would always leave a sort of a white halo that would linger on the skin after a full night sleep proving that its texture has an inner problem that makes it impossible for the skin to absorb it, and therefore I wasn't surprised that I saw no results. Mind you that I would always begin with cleansing and doing a gentle exfoliation to my skin before using this product. That's why I believe that the non-absorption thing is not due to clogged pores but undoubtedly to the product formulation itself. I won't be buying any Paula's Choice products in the future. The cost too high (I live in Canada so there's the factor of exchange rates) and I've seen no results at all, so why waste my money ?

Works with regular use

I was unsure about this product at first. I used it a few times, but didn't notice a change. Then I decided I would use it consistently for a week on the darkest areas of melasma on my face. I am Caucasian and have very dark areas. Oh my gosh, this product has made a huge difference. After several months, my discolorations have faded significantly and medium coverage makeup hides them completely when before, full coverage foundation didn't begin to do the trick. Hydroquinone just doesn't work for me. But this product, along with Paula's retinol products, and Retin-A have worked wonders and so well together. I have combo and sensitive skin and worried about redness. You have to be patient, use these products regularly, this project particularly as a spot treatment, ... MoreI was unsure about this product at first. I used it a few times, but didn't notice a change. Then I decided I would use it consistently for a week on the darkest areas of melasma on my face. I am Caucasian and have very dark areas. Oh my gosh, this product has made a huge difference. After several months, my discolorations have faded significantly and medium coverage makeup hides them completely when before, full coverage foundation didn't begin to do the trick. Hydroquinone just doesn't work for me. But this product, along with Paula's retinol products, and Retin-A have worked wonders and so well together. I have combo and sensitive skin and worried about redness. You have to be patient, use these products regularly, this project particularly as a spot treatment, and you should see improvement. It dries fast, so work quickly. I use a very tiny brush to place it exactly where I need it and let it soak in on its own. If your skin is sensitive like mine, be sure to moisturize well and use soothing serums. I use this once a day at night. Yes, it's strong, but it works and with Paula's soothing serums and moisturizers, you can find a combination that works for you.

Wouldn't Repurchase

I have used other Vitamin C products of varying concentrations before and thought I would give this one ago during my morning routine. It's consistency is weird like a slightly smooth, chaulky paste; it doesn't take much to ball/pill up as it's being applied to your face and creates a sort of mattified appearance which doesn't bother me as I'm more oily anyways. However, later on during my night routine, while washing my face with a gentle cleanser, my face had an adverse reaction and started to burn. My face was red and sore, so I had to take precautions with moisturizing by using products that are both calming and hydrating followed by a facial ice roller for a couple of minutes. Luckily, by morning my face was back to normal-ish. Would not reccommend and will not ... MoreI have used other Vitamin C products of varying concentrations before and thought I would give this one ago during my morning routine. It's consistency is weird like a slightly smooth, chaulky paste; it doesn't take much to ball/pill up as it's being applied to your face and creates a sort of mattified appearance which doesn't bother me as I'm more oily anyways. However, later on during my night routine, while washing my face with a gentle cleanser, my face had an adverse reaction and started to burn. My face was red and sore, so I had to take precautions with moisturizing by using products that are both calming and hydrating followed by a facial ice roller for a couple of minutes. Luckily, by morning my face was back to normal-ish. Would not reccommend and will not be repurchasing.