Paula's Choice
1% Retinol TreatmentA serum built around Niacinamide and Vitamin E, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A serum built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 26.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 48.75 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Pore-clogger-free and Oil-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.
Benefits
Hydrating11
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Propanediol, Squalane, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair18
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Lecithin, Niacinamide, Palmitic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Squalane, Stearic Acid, Synthetic Wax, Tocopherol
Hydrating8
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, PEG-14, PEG-33, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair16
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Sterols, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Isononyl Isononanoate, Lecithin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer, Tribehenin
Reduces Irritation5
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Concerns
May Trigger Acne7
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Palmitic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis17
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Lecithin, Palmitic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris7
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Palmitic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin5
May increase shine or excess oil.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Squalane
May Trigger Acne2
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis19
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Arachidyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Behenyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Castor Isostearate Succinate, Ceramide Ng, Glyceryl Stearate, Lecithin, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-75 Shea Butter Glycerides, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Laurate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tribehenin
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Emollient
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glyceryl Stearate (in both products)
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Humectant
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 →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 →Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient, Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate →Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinol is a retinoid.
Learn more about Retinol →Polysorbate 20
Cleansing, Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20 isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20 →Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →Lecithin
Antistatic, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying
Lecithin isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Lecithin →Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →
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