Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion vs Paula's Choice 5% Niacinamide Body Serum

Cetaphil

Paula's Choice

A body lotion built around Panthenol and Niacinamide, for barrier repair and smoothing.

Body lotion

16 ingredients

37 ingredients

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

Brand price

USD 37.00 · 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 EU-allergen-free, Silicone-free, Vegan and Cruelty-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
Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopheryl Acetate
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid

Face oil1
An oil formulated to be used on the face.
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid

Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Dimethicone, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Pantolactone
Barrier Repair9
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Persea Gratissima Oil
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Panthenol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide

May Trigger Acne4
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Persea Gratissima Oil
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis6
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate, Persea Gratissima Oil
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris4
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Persea Gratissima Oil
May Worsen Oily Skin2
May increase shine or excess oil.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
4 / 1
- 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
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
2 / 1
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
2 / 3
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Panthenol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
0 / 0
- Vitamin E
- Antioxidant
Dimethicone
Emollient
1 / 0
- Silicones
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
3 / 0
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Occlusive
1 / 1
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Myristyl Myristate
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
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
0-1 / —
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
C13-15 Alkane
Solvent
Squalene
Emollient
- Animal-derived
- Possibly animal-derived

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 →
Panthenol
Antistatic, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Panthenol is panthenol (provitamin B5).
Learn more about Panthenol →
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →
Pantolactone
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Pantolactone is the organic compound that conforms to the formula: (structure)
Learn more about Pantolactone →
Citric Acid
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Citric Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Citric Acid →