Paula's Choice
1% Retinol BoosterA serum built around Niacinamide and Hyaluronic acid, for hydration and barrier repair.
A serum built around Retinoid and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
USD 22.00 · 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 Fragrance-free; that row is shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients


Benefits

Hydrating12
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Lactobionic Acid, Panthenol, Polyglutamic Acid, Prunus Persica Flower Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair11
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Sucrose Palmitate
Reduces Irritation5
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassic Acid, Panthenol
Redness Reducing5
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassic Acid, Niacinamide
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 Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis10
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Sucrose Palmitate
May Worsen Oily Skin2
May increase shine or excess 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

Skin Conditioning
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Solvent
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Skin Conditioning
Skin Conditioning
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil (in both products)
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.
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 →Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Fragrance, Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil →Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate →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 →Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →
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