Paula's Choice
1% Retinol BoosterA serum built around Panthenol and Hyaluronic acid, for barrier repair and hydration.
A serum built around Retinoid and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
USD 29.00 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 55.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Silicone-free and Pore-clogger-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Hydrating20
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Anhydroxylitol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Panthenol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Propanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Tocopherol, Xylitol, Xylitylglucoside
Barrier Repair20
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide NP, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Panthenol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Pyrus Malus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Bicarbonate, Tocopherol, Xylitol
Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Ascorbate
Barrier Repair6
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Glycerin
Reduces Irritation3
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Concerns
May Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis13
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Glutamine, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Ceramide NP, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, PPG-13-DECYLTETRADECETH-24, Pyrus Malus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
May Worsen Oily Skin6
May increase shine or excess oil.
Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Pyrus Malus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis7
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polysorbate 20
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Skin Conditioning
Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment
Humectant
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate/Caprate
Cleansing
Skin Conditioning
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
- Retinoid
- Acne Fighting
- Anti-Aging
- Dark Spots
- Firming
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Smoothing
Glycyrrhiza Glabra
Ceramide NP (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
- Ceramide
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- 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 →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 →Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →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 →Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →Hydrogenated Lecithin
Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Lecithin →Ceramide NP
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Ceramide NP →
Similar Comparisons
Each product against its closest dupes.
- View the comparison
Anua
PDRN Collagen Glow Facial Serum Spray
Numbuzin
No.6 Deep Sleep Mask Serum
- View the comparison
Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Booster
Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Treatment
- View the comparison
Anua
PDRN Collagen Glow Facial Serum Spray
Numbuzin
No.3 Blue Bio-Retinol Pore Refining Serum
- View the comparison
Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Booster
Isntree
Hyper Retinol EX 1.0 Serum