Paula's Choice
Repairing SerumA serum built around Niacinamide and Vitamin E, for barrier repair and hydration.
A serum built around Hyaluronic acid and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.
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, Silicone-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.
Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Hyaluronic acid2
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.

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
Hydrating10
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Beta-Glucan, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair11
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Phytosphingosine, Propylene Glycol, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.

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 Dermatitis7
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
1,2-Hexanediol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Tocopherol (in both products)
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
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Polysorbate 20 (in both products)
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cleansing
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
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 →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 →1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
We don't have a description for 1,2-Hexanediol yet.
Learn more about 1,2-Hexanediol →Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Fragrance, Perfuming, Occlusive, Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is the mixed triester of glycerin and caprylic and capric acids.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride →Tocopherol
Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Occlusive
Tocopherol is vitamin E.
Learn more about Tocopherol →Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate is the organic compound that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate →Polysorbate 20
Cleansing, Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20 isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20 →Ceramide NP
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Ceramide NP →Carbomer
Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling
2-Propenoic acid, polymer with 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol 2-propenyl ether
Learn more about Carbomer →Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →
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