In this article:
What are skin care boosters?
What do skin care boosters do?
Who are skin care boosters best for?
How and when to apply skin care boosters
Where do boosters fit into your skin care routine?
Paula’s Choice Skincare boosters
How to mix & layer skin care boosters
Ever wish you could further customise your skin care routine and give your favourite products a little “boost” to push your skin to health? Well, wish no longer.
Skin care boosters can do just that. These specialised products work to supercharge your existing skin care products and allow you to customise your favourite formulas for powerful, individualised results.
If you’re curious about skin care boosters, stick around. Below, we’re walking you through what they are, how they work and which skin care boosters and combinations are best for your skin type and skin concerns.
What are skin care boosters?
A skin care booster is a targeted skin care product that focuses on the unique capabilities of a particular ingredient that's used at a higher concentration. Although formulated with other supporting ingredients, with skin care boosters, there’s always one ingredient that’s the star of the show. Common hero ingredients of boosters include vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, peptides, retinol and niacinamide.
Skin care boosters can be used on their own, but they really shine when mixed with other formulas. You see, skin care boosters benefit skin by working with your other skin care products, allowing you to customise your routine with a potent punch of a specific ingredient so you can quickly achieve the exact results you want.
What do skin care boosters do?
Skin care boosters support skin’s health and target specific skin concerns based on their ingredients like enlarged pores, dehydration, dullness, loss of firmness and so on. They’re a super boost for the skin care products you already have.
Who are skin care boosters best for?
Skin care boosters are best for those trying to tackle a specific concern due to their targeted formulas. If you’re someone with a range of skin care concerns, don’t worry—it’s fine to use more than one topical skin booster. All Paula’s Choice Skincare boosters are formulated to complement each other. They also work with our leave-on AHA and BHA exfoliants and other anti-ageing products (including serums and moisturisers with retinol) so you can build an anti-ageing skin care "wardrobe" that works perfectly.
How and when to apply skin care boosters
Our skin care boosters can be applied once or twice daily, or whenever your skin needs something extra.
Some people like to mix their boosters in a serum or non-SPF moisturiser; others apply boosters first, and then follow with those products. There’s no hard-and-fast rule to follow; our skin boosters are all about customisation.
Where do boosters fit into your skin care routine?
Incorporating a skin care booster into your routine is simple. Cleanse, tone and exfoliate with a leave-on AHA or BHA exfoliant. Then, apply the rest of your skin care products, including skin care boosters, in order from thinnest to thickest texture. If you’ve mixed your booster into your moisturiser, apply last!
Remember to always finish with broad-spectrum sun protection during the day. Not only does sunscreen protect skin, it allows you to get the best results from your boosters.
Paula’s Choice Skincare boosters
At Paula’s Choice Skincare, we recognise the importance of customising your products and skin care routine. We know one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to skin care. That’s why we’ve created a line of fragrance-free skin care boosters to help you hack your routine and generate the best results for your skin.
10% Azelaic Acid Booster
Targets: The appearance of brown spots, post-blemish marks, uneven skin tone, blemish-related sensitivities.
A 10% concentration of azelaic acid plus skin-smoothing salicylic acid and brightening plant extracts that taps into the multi-tasking power of azelaic acid to address multiple types of visible discolouration concerns, including those related to blemish-related sensitivities and environmental exposure (1). The lightweight, fast-absorbing formula is suitable for all skin types and can be applied all over or in a more targeted manner.
Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster
Targets: Loss of firmness, wrinkles, resiliency.
Our Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster delivers a specialised blend of 6 targeted peptides that work quickly to visibly increase skin’s resilience, smoothness and firmness, resulting in a smooth, plump appearance. This lightweight booster created for all skin types uses specific peptides that target skin’s architecture, so it quickly looks and feels younger (2).
7% Ectoin + Hyaluronic Acid Milky Hydrating Serum
Targets: Barrier health as well as dehydration and dryness
Think of ectoin as a skin superhero- this ingredient protects cells from extreme environmental conditions while hydrating thoroughly. This booster utilises ectoin’s molecular-focused properties and pairs them with humectants hyaluronic acid and glycogen to repair, strengthen and drench skin in much needed hydration. This milky-textured booster also helps soothe and fight off visible signs of ageing.
10% Niacinamide Booster
Targets: Large pores, discolourations.
Our 10% niacinamide (vitamin B3) formula helps minimise the appearance of pore size and improve uneven skin tone (3). Its light-as-water fluid consistency features soothing agents, antioxidants, and skin-replenishing ingredients to boost its anti-ageing benefits.
C15 Super Booster
Targets: Red or brown marks, wrinkles, visible loss of firmness.
Our potent 15% vitamin C booster combines the powerful antioxidant with ferulic acid and ergothioneine to effectively combat several visible signs of ageing (4). It increases radiance, visibly firms, evens out skin tone—and can also be used around the eyes to address crow’s feet.
Moisture Renewal Oil Booster
Targets: Dryness, dullness, dehydration, rough texture.
This blend of nine non-fragrant plant-based facial oils, combined with skin-restoring and skin-replenishing ingredients, relieves dry, tight and/or dehydrated skin. It's ideal to spot treat dehydrated areas, even around the eyes, and can also be used to enhance your moisturizer during dry seasons.
Hyaluronic Acid Booster
Targets: Fine lines, wrinkles, dehydration, sensitivity.
Moisture-boosting hyaluronic acid holds 1,000 times its weight in water, and combines with restoring ingredients to visibly plump dry, dehydrated skin, softening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This booster's oil-free gel texture glides on to immediately replenish moisture and soothe skin.
1% Retinol Booster
Targets: Fine lines, deep wrinkles, uneven skin tone, clogged pores, blemishes.
1% stabilised pure retinol and a network of proven antioxidants, including licorice extract, create an anti-ageing superstar booster with a weightless texture for all skin types (5). It dramatically improves multiple concerns and is highly recommended for signs of ageing (especially wrinkles) and it's even suitable for blemish-prone skin.
How to mix & layer skin care boosters
Get this: our above boosters are also formulated to work with each other. That means not only can you mix them with other skin care products, but you can also mix and layer them with one another.
To help you learn how to combine our boosters for enhanced results for your specific concerns, we’ve written some booster recipes. One of these might be the “secret sauce” that takes your results to the next level. Let’s get cooking!
Concerns: Brown Discolourations + Blemish-Related Sensitivities
Your Booster Recipe: 10% Azelaic Acid Booster + C15 Super Booster
How to: After cleansing, toning and exfoliating, apply 3-5 drops of C15 Super Booster to entire face, adding a bit more if needed. Next, apply a pea-sized amount of 10% Azelaic Acid Booster where needed. Follow with your serum, moisturiser and eye cream.
Add some spice: If enlarged pores are also a concern, add a few drops of the 10% Niacinamide Booster to the mix by applying after C15, then follow with 10% Azelaic Acid Booster and the rest of your routine.
Concerns: Loss of Firmness & Elasticity + Fine Lines & Dehydration
Your Booster Recipe: Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster + 1% Retinol Booster
How to: After cleansing, toning, and exfoliating, dispense 2-3 drops of the Retinol Booster into the palm of your hand. Next, add a pearl-sized amount of Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster. Mix the two with your fingertips and apply to your face and neck. Follow with your serum, moisturiser, and eye cream.
Add some spice: Enhance a firm feeling around the eyes and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles by dabbing on a visible layer of eye cream to end your nighttime skin care routine.
Concerns: Wrinkles + Loss of Firmness + Dull, Uneven Skin Tone
Your Booster Recipe: 1% Retinol Booster + C15 Super Booster
How to: After cleansing, toning, and exfoliating, dispense 2–3 drops of the Retinol Booster into the palm of your hand. Next, add 3–5 drops of the C15 Booster. Mix the two with your fingertips and apply to your face and neck. Follow with your serum, moisturiser, and eye cream.
Add some spice: A dash (a few generous drops) of Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster helps smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles within minutes while hydrating and visibly strengthening skin's resilience.
Concerns: Large Pores + Rough Texture + Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Your Booster Recipe: 10% Niacinamide Booster + 1% Retinol Booster
How to: After cleansing, toning, and exfoliating, dispense 2–3 drops of the Niacinamide Booster into the palm of your hand. Add an equal amount of the Retinol Booster, mix them together with your fingertips, and then smooth over your face, focusing on areas with visible lines and large pores.
Add some spice: If your skin is dry or dehydrated—including seasonal dryness—finish your routine by massaging 2–3 drops of Moisture Renewal Oil Booster over dry areas, including around the eyes. Dry, but not that dry? Follow with a few drops of the Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster to quickly smooth and soften the appearance of wrinkles, including crow's feet around the eyes.
Concerns: Wrinkles + Dehydration + Discolourations
Your Booster Recipe: Hyaluronic Acid Booster + C15 Super Booster
How to: After cleansing, toning, and exfoliating, dispense 3–5 drops of the Hyaluronic Acid Booster and apply to your face and neck. Dispense a pearl-sized amount of the C15 Super Booster and spot-apply to discolourations.
Optional: Add a bit more C15 Super Booster to larger areas where skin tone appears uneven.
Add some spice: Dispense 3–4 drops of the Niacinamide Booster and apply to face and neck after the Hyaluronic Acid Booster. Niacinamide helps strengthen skin against moisture loss and further improves the appearance of discolourations and uneven skin tone.
Concerns: Dry, Dehydrated, Sensitive Skin
Your Booster Recipe: Moisture Renewal Oil Booster + 10% Niacinamide Booster
How to: After cleansing, toning, and exfoliating, dispense 2–3 drops of the Niacinamide Booster and smooth over your face and neck. Follow with 2–3 drops of the Oil Booster, applied to dry areas, including around the eyes. You can also mix the Oil Booster with your facial moisturiser and apply this blend to face and neck.
Add some spice: Mix in a pea-size amount of Hyaluronic Acid Booster with the Niacinamide Booster, and then apply a few drops of the Oil Booster, including around the eyes.
Concerns: Wrinkles + Post-Blemish Marks + Uneven or Dull Skin Tone
Your Booster Recipe: 10% Niacinamide Booster + C15 Super Booster
How to: After cleansing, toning, and exfoliating, dispense 2–3 drops of the Niacinamide Booster into the palm of your hand and apply to face and neck. Next, dispense a pea-sized amount of C15 Super Booster and dab on blemish-prone areas and post-blemish marks for more even-looking skin.
Optional: Add a bit more C15 Super Booster (try mixing it with your nighttime moisturiser) for larger areas of blemishes or uneven skin tone.
Add some spice: Dispense a pea-size amount of RESIST BHA 9 Treatment and apply to clog-prone or bumpy areas to improve skin texture.
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References for this information:
- Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, October 2023, pages 2650-2662
- Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, May 2021, pages 14–21
- Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, March 2023, pages 763-775
- Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, July 2017, pages 14-17
- Cosmetics, April 2023, ePublication
