Dr.Althea
Aqua Marine Deep SerumPaula's Choice
10% Niacinamide BoosterA serum built around Niacinamide and Panthenol, for hydration and barrier repair.
A serum built around Niacinamide and Vitamin C derivative, for hydration and barrier repair.
Brand price
USD 18.60 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 53.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

At a Glance

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

Key Ingredients

Centella asiatica (Cica)1
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Hyaluronic acid2
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.

Benefits

Hydrating8
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Fructooligosaccharides, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Barrier Repair6
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycerin, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Niacinamide, Oleyl Alcohol, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Niacinamide, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation5
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Beta-Glucan, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.

Concerns

May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Skin Conditioning
Skin Conditioning
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Dark Spots
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin Protecting
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 →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 →Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →Panthenol
Antistatic, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Panthenol is panthenol (provitamin B5).
Learn more about Panthenol →Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate is a hyaluronic acid.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate →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 →
Similar Comparisons
Each product against its closest dupes.
- View the comparison

Dr.Althea
Aqua Marine Deep Serum

Beauty of Joseon
Calming Barrier Serum : Green Tea-HA™ + Panthenol
- View the comparison

Paula's Choice
10% Niacinamide Booster

Paula's Choice
Niacinamide 20% Treatment
- View the comparison

Dr.Althea
Aqua Marine Deep Serum

Dr.Althea
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
- View the comparison

Paula's Choice
10% Niacinamide Booster

COSRX
The Niacinamide 15 Serum