Paula's Choice
1% Retinol BoosterA serum built around Niacinamide and Centella asiatica, 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 Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free, Alcohol-free, Silicone-free, Pore-clogger-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Centella asiatica (Cica)1
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.

Benefits

Hydrating22
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Anhydroxylitol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Fructooligosaccharides, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Polyglycerin-3, Propanediol, Squalane, Stearic Acid, Sucrose, Tocopherol, Xylitol, Xylitylglucoside
Barrier Repair18
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylyl Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Illicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil, Isononyl Isononanoate, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Niacinamide, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Squalane, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, Xylitol
Reduces Irritation5
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Beta-Glucan, Bisabolol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Sucrose
Redness Reducing5
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Bisabolol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Niacinamide, Sucrose
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 Acne7
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sorbitan Oleate, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis16
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris7
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sorbitan Oleate, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin4
May increase shine or excess oil.
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Squalane
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
Cleansing
2 / 3
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
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
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 →Hydrogenated Lecithin
Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Lecithin →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 →Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →
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