Dot & Key 10% Vitamin C + E Face Serum with 5% Niacinamide vs Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment

Dot & Key

Paula's Choice

A serum built around Niacinamide and AHA, for pollution defence and barrier repair.

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

Serum

31 ingredients

53 ingredients

Brand price

INR 695.00 · checked 28 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 48.75 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand from India

Brand country not recorded

At a Glance

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

Vitamin E2
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate
Alpha arbutin1
A gentler glycosylated relative of hydroquinone.
Alpha-Arbutin
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate

Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopheryl Acetate
Vitamin C derivative (stable)1
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Colloidal oatmeal1
Finely milled oat — an FDA-recognised skin protectant.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 20

Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair6
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Cholesterol, Glycerin, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Niacinamide, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Niacinamide

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis7
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ceramide 1, Ceramide 2, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 4, Ceramide 6 Ii, Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide, Hydrogenated Lecithin
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Irritation2
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Benzyl Alcohol, Tocopherol

Show highlights for:

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Niacinamide
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Ethoxydiglycol
Humectant
0 / 0
Citric Acid
Buffering
0 / —
- AHA
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing
Benzyl Alcohol
Preservative
- EU labelled fragrance allergen
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Irritation
Ethylhexylglycerin (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Occlusive
0-3 / 3
- Vitamin E
- Anti-Pollution
- Antioxidant
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris

Water
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
1 / 0
- Silicones
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Isononyl Isononanoate
Emollient
Castor Isostearate Succinate
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Emollient
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
0-1 / —
- Silicones
PEG-33
Humectant

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

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 →
Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →
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 →
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate is vitamin E.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate →
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 →
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate is a hyaluronic acid.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate →