Paula's Choice
1% Retinol BoosterA serum built around Niacinamide and Hyaluronic acid, 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
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 Silicone-free and Pore-clogger-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Hyaluronic acid2
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Benefits
Hydrating12
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Ectoin, Glucose, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair12
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Olivate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Niacinamide, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Panthenol, Resveratrol, Sodium Polyacrylate
Reduces Irritation3
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
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 Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sorbitan Oleate
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis10
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Olivate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Phosphatidylcholine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sorbitan Oleate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sorbitan Oleate
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
Skin Conditioning
2 / 0
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
4 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
Skin Conditioning
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
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 →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 →Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate →Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →Ceramide NP
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Ceramide NP →Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →
Similar Comparisons
Each product against its closest dupes.
- View the comparison
Isntree
Onion Newpair Booster Shot 2000
Isntree
Plum Peptide Booster 2000s
- View the comparison
Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Booster
Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Treatment
- View the comparison
Isntree
Onion Newpair Booster Shot 2000
VT Cosmetics
Mild Reedle Shot 50
- View the comparison
Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Booster
Isntree
Hyper Retinol EX 1.0 Serum