Celimax The Vita A Retinol Shot Tightening Serum vs Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

Celimax

Paula's Choice

A serum built around Panthenol and Vitamin E, for hydration and barrier repair.

A serum built around Niacinamide and Vitamin C derivative, for hydration and barrier repair.

Serum

42 ingredients

27 ingredients

Brand price

USD 23.40 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 53.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand from South Korea

Brand country not recorded

At a Glance

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

Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Retinoid1
Vitamin A derivatives that speed cell turnover.
Retinol
Copper peptides1
Copper-bound peptides studied for repair and firmness.
Copper Tripeptide-1

Vitamin C derivative (stable)1
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 20
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis11
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, C14-22 Alcohols, Glyceryl Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lauryl Glucoside, Myristyl Glucoside, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Phospholipids, Polysorbate 20

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Methylpropanediol
Solvent
0-1 / —
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Occlusive
1 / 1
Panthenol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Film Forming
- Silicones
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Dark Spots
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C derivative (stable)
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
0 / 0
- Hyaluronic acid
- Hydrating
Allantoin (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Reduces Irritation
- Smoothing
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin Protecting
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating

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 →
Panthenol
Antistatic, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Panthenol is panthenol (provitamin B5).
Learn more about Panthenol →
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →
Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →
Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →
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 →