Paula's Choice
1% Retinol BoosterA serum built around Panthenol and Niacinamide, for barrier repair and hydration.
A serum built around Retinoid and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
Not recorded · brand's site
Brand price
USD 55.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
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At a Glance

Every check both products could be assessed on comes out the same. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.

Benefits

Hydrating11
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Collagen, Collagen Water, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Propanediol
Barrier Repair12
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Tripeptide-1
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
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 Dermatitis11
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, C20-40 Alketh-10, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
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
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate (in both products)
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
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.
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 →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 →Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →
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