innisfree
Gentle Retinol Salicylic Acne SerumPaula's Choice
Discoloration Repair SerumA serum built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and hydration.
A serum built around Niacinamide and Tranexamic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 34.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 59.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Vegan; that row is shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Centella asiatica (Cica)3
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Benefits
Hydrating11
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Beta-Glucan, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Propanediol, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair12
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Betaine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Phytosphingosine, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation6
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Beta-Glucan, Madecassic Acid, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Redness Reducing6
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Niacinamide, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Hydrating4
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair15
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Bakuchiol, Behenyl Alcohol, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Glycine Soja Sterols, Lecithin, Niacinamide, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Tocopherol
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Concerns
May Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis8
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ceramide NP, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis7
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Behenyl Alcohol, Ethyl Macadamiate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lecithin, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Ingredients Side-by-side
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
Dicaprylyl Carbonate (in both products)
Emollient
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin (in both products)
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
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
Solvent
Dicaprylyl Carbonate (in both products)
Emollient
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- 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 →Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Carbonic Acid, Dicaprylyl Ester
Learn more about Dicaprylyl Carbonate →Hydrogenated Lecithin
Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Lecithin →Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Fragrance, Perfuming, Occlusive, Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is the mixed triester of glycerin and caprylic and capric acids.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride →Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →Glycine Soja Oil
Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycine Soja Oil →Tocopherol
Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Occlusive
Tocopherol is vitamin E.
Learn more about Tocopherol →
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