Isntree
Hyper Retinol EX 1.0 SerumPaula's Choice
1% Retinol BoosterA serum built around Niacinamide and Bakuchiol, for barrier repair and hydration.
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
Buy at
Retailer links are affiliate links. Buying through one may earn us a commission at no cost to you.

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.
Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.

Benefits

Hydrating12
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Panthenol, Polydextrose, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair16
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Bakuchiol, Betaine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cholesterol, Dibutyl Adipate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Phytosphingosine, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation6
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Panthenol
Redness Reducing5
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Niacinamide
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 Acne4
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Retinyl Palmitate, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis16
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Phytosphingosine, Polysorbate 20, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris4
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Retinyl Palmitate, Stearic Acid, 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
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
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
Polysorbate 20 (in both products)
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Retinol (in both products)
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 →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 →Hydrogenated Lecithin
Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Lecithin →Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinol is a retinoid.
Learn more about Retinol →Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →Polysorbate 20
Cleansing, Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20 isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20 →Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →Ceramide NP
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Ceramide NP →Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 →
Similar Comparisons
Each product against its closest dupes.
- View the comparison

Isntree
Hyper Retinol EX 1.0 Serum

innisfree
Retinol Cica Moisture Recovery Serum - Facial Serum
- View the comparison

Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Booster

Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Treatment
- View the comparison

Isntree
Hyper Retinol EX 1.0 Serum

innisfree
Gentle Retinol Salicylic Acne Serum
- View the comparison

Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Booster

Anua
Nano Retinol™ 0.3% + Niacin Renewing Serum