Paula's Choice
10% Niacinamide BoosterA serum built around Niacinamide and Tranexamic acid, for hydration and barrier repair.
A serum built around Niacinamide and Vitamin C derivative, for hydration and barrier repair.
Brand price
USD 13.90 · checked 5 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 53.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Fragrance-free, Silicone-free, Pore-clogger-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Hydrating10
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diglycerin, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Panthenol, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair10
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
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 Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis9
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, C14-22 Alcohols, Lauric Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Laurate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
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
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Panthenol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Skin Conditioning
Occlusive
0-3 / 3
- Vitamin E
- Anti-Pollution
- Antioxidant
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
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.
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →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 →Panthenol
Antistatic, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Panthenol is panthenol (provitamin B5).
Learn more about Panthenol →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 →Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
Learn more about Pentylene Glycol →Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →
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