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 37.00 · 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

Hydrating12
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair13
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate, Squalane, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation4
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Achillea Millefolium Extract, Allantoin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
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, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis11
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris7
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Oil, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin3
May increase shine or excess oil.
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

Skin Conditioning
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
Viscosity Controlling
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.
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 →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 →Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient, Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate →Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate is vitamin E.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate →Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
Learn more about Pentylene Glycol →Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
.alpha.-d-Glucopyranosiduronic acid, (3.beta.,20.beta.)-20-carboxy-11-oxo-30-norolean-12-en-3-yl 2-O-.beta.-d-glucopyranuronosyl-, dipotassium salt
Learn more about Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate →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 →
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