CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum vs Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster

CeraVe

Paula's Choice

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

A serum built around Retinoid and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.

Serum

26 ingredients

27 ingredients

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

Brand price

USD 55.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand from United States

Brand country not recorded

At a Glance

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

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Cetearyl Alcohol
Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP
Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopheryl Acetate
Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)1
L-ascorbic acid, the unesterified form of vitamin C.
Ascorbic Acid

Ceramide1
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Ceramide NP
Colloidal oatmeal1
Finely milled oat — an FDA-recognised skin protectant.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 20
Retinoid1
Vitamin A derivatives that speed cell turnover.
Retinol

Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair12
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cholesterol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Isopropyl Myristate, Panthenol, Phytosphingosine
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Panthenol
Anti-Aging1
Softens lines and helps skin look youthful.
Ascorbic Acid

Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Ascorbate
Barrier Repair6
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Glycerin
Reduces Irritation3
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin

May Trigger Acne2
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis9
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Isopropyl Myristate, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate
May Worsen Irritation2
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Alcohol Denat., Isopropyl Myristate

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
- Anti-Aging
- Anti-Pollution
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Dimethicone
Emollient
1 / 0
- Silicones
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Alcohol Denat.
Fragrance
0 / —
- Denatured alcohol
- May Worsen Dryness
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Rosacea
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering
0 / —
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion Stabilising
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Ceramide NP (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
- Ceramide
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate/Caprate
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
- Retinoid
- Acne Fighting
- Anti-Aging
- Dark Spots
- Firming
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Smoothing
Glycyrrhiza Glabra
Ceramide NP (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
- Ceramide
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

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 →
Ceramide NP
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Ceramide NP →
Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →
Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →
Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →
Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →