Paula's Choice
1% Retinol BoosterA serum built around Niacinamide and Panthenol, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A serum built around Retinoid and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
USD 27.00 · checked 28 Sept 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 55.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Fragrance-free, Pore-clogger-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Hydrating9
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Polyglutamic Acid, Sparassis Crispa Extract, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair25
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Borago Officinalis Extract, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Canola Sterols, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Isononyl Isononanoate, Linoleic Acid, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Menaquinone-7, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Panthenol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation4
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Panthenol, Salvia Sclarea Extract
Redness Reducing4
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Niacinamide, Salvia Sclarea Extract
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
Concerns
May Trigger Acne5
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Glycine Soja Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis20
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Canola Sterols, Ceramide NP, Dextrin Palmitate, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Linoleic Acid, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris5
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Glycine Soja Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin10
May increase shine or excess oil.
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis7
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polysorbate 20
Ingredients Side-by-side
Skin Conditioning
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Skin Conditioning
Emollient
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
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
Skin Conditioning
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
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
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 →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 →Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →Hydrogenated Lecithin
Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Lecithin →Ceramide NP
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Ceramide NP →Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →
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