Paula's Choice
Repairing SerumA serum built around Niacinamide and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.
A serum built around Hyaluronic acid and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
Not recorded · brand's site
Brand price
USD 53.00 · 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.
Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Hyaluronic acid2
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.

Benefits

Hydrating12
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Jojoba Esters, Panthenol, Polyglycerin-3, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair19
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cholesterol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Isopropyl Isostearate, Jojoba Esters, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Phytosphingosine, Tocopherol, Tridecane, Undecane
Hydrating10
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Beta-Glucan, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair11
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Phytosphingosine, Propylene Glycol, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.

Concerns

May Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis16
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocamide Mipa, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Isopropyl Isostearate, Jojoba Esters, Phytosphingosine, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis7
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate

Ingredients Side-by-side

Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Emollient
5 / 0
- Esters listed as pore-clogging in animal testing only
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
Ceramide NP (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
- Ceramide
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate (in both products)
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cleansing
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- 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 →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 →Ceramide NP
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Ceramide NP →Ceramide AP
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Ceramide AP →Ceramide EOP
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Ceramide EOP →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 Lauroyl Lactylate
Emulsifying
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate →Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate is a hyaluronic acid.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate →Cholesterol
Light Stabilizer, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Cholesterol may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Cholesterol →Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →
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