Paula's Choice
1% Retinol BoosterA serum built around Niacinamide and Hyaluronic acid, for hydration and barrier repair.
A serum built around Retinoid and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
Not recorded · brand's site
Brand price
USD 55.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
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At a Glance
They come out differently on Pore-clogger-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Hydrating12
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Panthenol, Propanediol, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair10
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Olivate, Cholesterol, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation6
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Asiaticoside, Beta-Glucan, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Madecassoside, Panthenol
Redness Reducing6
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Asiaticoside, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Madecassoside, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid
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 Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Retinyl Palmitate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis9
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Olivate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Retinyl Palmitate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sorbitan Olivate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Retinyl Palmitate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
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
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
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.
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 →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 →Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate →Hydrogenated Lecithin
Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Lecithin →Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →Ceramide NP
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Ceramide NP →Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →
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