Paula's Choice
10% Niacinamide BoosterA serum built around Niacinamide and Vitamin E, for barrier repair and hydration.
A serum built around Niacinamide and Vitamin C derivative, for hydration and barrier repair.
Brand price
USD 25.00 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 53.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, Pore-clogger-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.

Benefits

Hydrating19
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Panthenol, Propanediol, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair28
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Carapa Guianensis Seed Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cholesterol, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Niacinamide, Octyldodecanol, Oleic Acid, Panthenol, Squalane, Sucrose Distearate, Tocopherol, Tripeptide-1
Reduces Irritation9
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Beta-Glucan, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Madecassoside, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Panthenol
Redness Reducing4
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside, Niacinamide
Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Niacinamide, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation5
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Beta-Glucan, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.

Concerns

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis24
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Carapa Guianensis Seed Oil, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Octyldodecanol, Oleic Acid, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Laurate, Sucrose Distearate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
May Worsen Oily Skin4
May increase shine or excess oil.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Carapa Guianensis Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Squalane
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Occlusive
0-3 / 3
- Vitamin E
- Anti-Pollution
- Antioxidant
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Dark Spots
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin Protecting
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Learn more about Butylene Glycol →Polysorbate 20
Cleansing, Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20 isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20 →Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
Learn more about Pentylene Glycol →Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
.alpha.-d-Glucopyranosiduronic acid, (3.beta.,20.beta.)-20-carboxy-11-oxo-30-norolean-12-en-3-yl 2-O-.beta.-d-glucopyranuronosyl-, dipotassium salt
Learn more about Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate →Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →Beta-Glucan
Bulking, Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan is a polysaccharide consisting of β(1-3), β(1-4), and β(1-6) linked glucose units
Learn more about Beta-Glucan →Panthenol
Antistatic, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Panthenol is panthenol (provitamin B5).
Learn more about Panthenol →
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