Paula's Choice
Intensive Repair CreamA face moisturizer built around Niacinamide and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.
A face cream built around Retinoid and Peptides, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
Not recorded · brand's site
Brand price
USD 42.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
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.
Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Benefits
Hydrating9
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair16
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Cholesterol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Niacinamide, Octyldodecanol, Phytosphingosine, Tocopherol
Smoothing9
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Cholesterol, Citric Acid, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Niacinamide, Octyldodecanol
Hydrating11
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Petrolatum, Phenyl Trimethicone, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair22
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Behenyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Sterols, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Lecithin, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Niacinamide, Petrolatum, Phenyl Trimethicone, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Tribehenin, Tridecyl Stearate, Tridecyl Trimellitate
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis14
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Glyceryl Stearate, Octyldodecanol, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sorbitan Tristearate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
May Trigger Acne5
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Retinyl Palmitate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis20
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Behenyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ceramide Ng, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Lecithin, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, PEG-100 Stearate, Polysorbate 20, Retinyl Palmitate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tribehenin, Tridecyl Stearate, Tridecyl Trimellitate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris5
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Retinyl Palmitate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Skin Conditioning
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cetearyl Alcohol (in both products)
Emollient
2 / 1
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Glyceryl Stearate (in both products)
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
PEG-100 Stearate (in both products)
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion Stabilising
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Emollient
5 / —
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
0-2 / 0
- Face oil
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cetearyl Alcohol (in both products)
Emollient
2 / 1
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate
Emulsifying
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 →Dimethicone
Antifoaming, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Skin Protecting
Dimethicone is a silicone.
Learn more about Dimethicone →Cetearyl Alcohol
Emulsion Stabilising, Opacifying, Emollient, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Controlling
Cetearyl Alcohol isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl Alcohol →Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →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 →Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient, Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate →PEG-100 Stearate
Cleansing
PEG-100 Stearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-100 Stearate →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 →Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate is a hyaluronic acid.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate →
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