Paula's Choice
1% Retinol TreatmentA serum built around Vitamin C and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and hydration.
A serum built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 21.00 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 48.75 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Silicone-free, Pore-clogger-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Squalane, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation3
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Hydrating8
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, PEG-14, PEG-33, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair16
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Sterols, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Isononyl Isononanoate, Lecithin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer, Tribehenin
Reduces Irritation5
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
May Trigger Acne2
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis19
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Arachidyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Behenyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Castor Isostearate Succinate, Ceramide Ng, Glyceryl Stearate, Lecithin, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-75 Shea Butter Glycerides, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Laurate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tribehenin
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Antioxidant
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
- Anti-Aging
- Anti-Pollution
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
Skin Conditioning
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C derivative (stable)
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Dark Spots
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Emollient
Skin Conditioning
- 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
Humectant
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 →Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Learn more about Butylene Glycol →Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate is a hyaluronic acid.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate →Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
Learn more about Pentylene Glycol →Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Smoothing, Soothing
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of the Licorice, Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Leguminosae
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract →
Similar Comparisons
Each product against its closest dupes.
- View the comparison
COSRX
The Vitamin C 13 Serum
COSRX
Advanced The Vitamin C 23 Serum
- View the comparison
Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Treatment
Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Booster
- View the comparison
COSRX
The Vitamin C 13 Serum
Isntree
Onion Newpair Ampoule Plus
- View the comparison
Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Treatment
No7
Pure Retinol 1% Night Concentrate