Dermalogica
age bright clearing serumPaula's Choice
1% Retinol TreatmentA serum built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A serum built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 79.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 48.75 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free and Silicone-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients


Benefits

Hydrating4
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Barrier Repair5
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Isoamyl Laurate, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Niacinamide
Smoothing5
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Caprylyl Glycol, Isoamyl Laurate, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid
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 Worsen Irritation8
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Terpineol
May Worsen Eczema8
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Terpineol
May Worsen Rosacea8
Can trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Terpineol
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
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Lentinus Edodes Mycelium Extract
Skin Conditioning
Humectant
Fragrance
- Fragrant essential oil (sensitizer)
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Rosacea
Perfuming
- EU labelled fragrance allergen
- Fragrance
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Rosacea
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 →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 →Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
Learn more about Pentylene Glycol →Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →
Similar Comparisons
Each product against its closest dupes.
- View the comparison

Dermalogica
age bright clearing serum

Plum
2% Encapsulated Salicylic Acid Face Serum For Acne-Prone Skin
- View the comparison

Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Treatment

Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Booster
- View the comparison

Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Treatment

No7
Pure Retinol 1% Night Concentrate
- View the comparison

Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Treatment

No7
Pure Retinol 0.3% Retinol Night Concentrate