Paula's Choice
5% Niacinamide Body SerumA body lotion built around Ceramide and Niacinamide, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A body lotion built around Panthenol and Niacinamide, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
Not recorded · brand's site
Brand price
USD 37.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

At a Glance

They come out differently on EU-allergen-free, Paraben-free, Silicone-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. 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.

Benefits

Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Potassium Lactate, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair13
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Cholesterol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Isopropyl Myristate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Niacinamide, Phytosphingosine
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Hydrating9
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Panthenol, Pantolactone, Propanediol, Saccharide Isomerate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair17
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Lecithin, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Myristyl Myristate, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Polyacrylate, Squalene, Tocopherol

Concerns

May Trigger Acne4
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis11
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, PEG-40 Stearate, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris4
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate
May Worsen Irritation4
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Benzyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Isopropyl Myristate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate
May Trigger Acne4
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Hexylene Glycol, Myristyl Myristate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis10
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lecithin, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Myristyl Myristate, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris4
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Hexylene Glycol, Myristyl Myristate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin4
May increase shine or excess oil.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Ingredients Side-by-side

Drug Active (anti-itch)
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Emollient
2 / 1
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cleansing
2 / 3
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
5 / 3
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
3 / 3
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Emollient
5 / 2
- Esters listed as pore-clogging in animal testing only
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Solvent
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 →Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →Citric Acid
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Citric Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Citric Acid →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 →
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