Paula's Choice
5% Niacinamide Body SerumA body lotion built around Niacinamide and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.
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 Alcohol-free, Silicone-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Fatty alcohol2
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Benefits
Hydrating9
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Arginine PCA, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium PCA, Stearic Acid
Barrier Repair15
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cholesterol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Isopropyl Myristate, Niacinamide, Palmitic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Stearic Acid
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 Acne7
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis15
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Isopropyl Myristate, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Phytosphingosine, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris7
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Irritation3
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
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
Antioxidant
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Emollient
5 / 3
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
2 / 1
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
2 / 2
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- 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
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 →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 →
Similar Comparisons
Each product against its closest dupes.
- View the comparison
CeraVe
Itch Relief Moisturizing Lotion
CeraVe
Itch Relief Moisturizing Cream
- View the comparison
Paula's Choice
5% Niacinamide Body Serum
Cetaphil
Restoraderm Eczema Soothing Moisturizer
- View the comparison
CeraVe
Itch Relief Moisturizing Lotion
CeraVe
Baby Moisturizing Lotion
- View the comparison
Paula's Choice
5% Niacinamide Body Serum
Cetaphil
Nourishing & Hydrating Lotion