Physicians Formula Skin Booster Time-Restoring Vitamin Shot
Works for
Anti-agingNiacinamide, Acetyl glucosamine + 2 moreWorks well
“Custom serum blend helps to visibly reduce signs of aging while tackling skin's dullness, wrinkles and loss of elasticity revealing a youthful complexion.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains acetyl glucosamine, niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Niacinamide, GluconolactoneWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Niacinamide, Acetyl glucosamine + 12 moreWorks well
“Custom serum blend hydrates and conditions while targeting problem areas.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: chondrus crispus extract, caprylyl glycol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl glucosamine, niacinamide
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Niacinamide, Acetyl glucosamine + 5 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: acetyl glucosamine, niacinamide
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, phenylethyl resorcinol.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy16 flagged ingredientsMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~40–60%
Butylene glycol~5–7.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolNiacinamide~3.1–4.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideGlycerin~2.3–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinAcetyl glucosamine~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin
More about Acetyl glucosaminePentylene glycol~1.4–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycol1,2-hexanediol~0.45–1.05%
Caprylyl glycol~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCarbomer~0.9–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerDisodium edta~0.5–1%
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizatePhenylethyl resorcinol~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation in skin and help neutralize free radicals
More about Phenylethyl resorcinolCaesalpinia spinosa fruit extract~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.4%
Chondrus crispus extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
More about Chondrus crispus extractSodium benzotriazolyl butylphenol sulfonate~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps protect the ingredients in the formulation against UV light
More about Sodium benzotriazolyl butylphenol sulfonate3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidCi 77492~0.1–0.4%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetatePhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCollagen amino acids~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help attract water to the upper layer of the skin, soften it and support the skin barrier function
More about Collagen amino acidsAgar~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Polysaccharide derived from seaweed. Used to create a thicker product consistency and might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about AgarCalcium alginate~0.05–0.2%
Xanthan gum~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumKappaphycus alvarezii extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A red algae extract that can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some antioxidant properties
More about Kappaphycus alvarezii extractHydroxyacetophenone~0.05–0.25%
Glucosyl hesperidin~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be able to neutralize free radicals in skin. Also works as a humectant
More about Glucosyl hesperidinLeuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine
More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateSodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateTropolone~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Gluconolactone~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals
More about GluconolactoneGlycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractCynara scolymus leaf extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties. It might be irritating
More about Cynara scolymus leaf extractCi 73360~0.05–0.15%
Sodium benzoate~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Acetyl glucosamine, Pentylene glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Carbomer, Disodium edta, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Phenylethyl resorcinol, Caesalpinia spinosa fruit extract, Sodium hydroxide, Chondrus crispus extract, Sodium benzotriazolyl butylphenol sulfonate, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Ci 77492, Tocopheryl acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Collagen amino acids, Agar, Calcium alginate, Xanthan gum, Kappaphycus alvarezii extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glucosyl hesperidin, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Sodium hyaluronate, Tropolone, Gluconolactone, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Cynara scolymus leaf extract, Ci 73360, Sodium benzoate
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Physicians FormulaSkin Booster Time-Restoring Vitamin ShotYOUR PRODUCT | Paula's choice10% Niacinamide Booster | colibri skincareNiacinamide Booster | Face Reality SkincareglowTone Corrective Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 88% | 87% | 85% |
| Price | — | $50.18 | — | $64.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 10 | 4 of 10 | 5 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Ascorbyl Glucoside | Arginine | Azelaic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: YEOUTH Niacinamide Serumendota spa Potent Brightening Serum
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, "Physicians Formula - Skin Booster Time-Restoring Vitamin Shot" works well for moisturizing the skin. This moisturizer uses a good combo of humectants and emollients. These both types of ingredients are essentials for improving the skin hydration and keeping the skin barrier healthy. Acetyl glucosamine, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, glucosyl hesperidin and butylene glycol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (chondrus crispus extract, caprylyl glycol and pentylene glycol) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Ingredient callouts
- We particularly like that there is a good concentration of niacinamide (niacinamide 3.10% - 4.70%) in this moisturizer. Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is a great ingredient to have in a moisturizer. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and help improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 32.95A$ in Australia, for 12.99$ in the United States, from 10.49£ up to 13.29£ in the United Kingdom and for 23.30CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 25 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Glucosamine: an ingredient with skin and other benefitsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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