La Roche-Posay
Vitamin C12 SerumPaula's Choice
1% Retinol TreatmentA serum built around Vitamin C and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and hydration.
A serum built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 44.99 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 48.75 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Fragrance-free, Alcohol-free, Pore-clogger-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Dimethicone, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair8
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
C13-14 Isoparaffin, Caprylyl Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Propylene Glycol, 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 Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Laureth-7, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
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
Antioxidant
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
- Anti-Aging
- Anti-Pollution
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
Fragrance
0 / —
- Denatured alcohol
- May Worsen Dryness
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Rosacea
Skin Conditioning
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
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 →Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Opacifying
Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone.
Learn more about Polymethylsilsesquioxane →Dimethicone
Antifoaming, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Skin Protecting
Dimethicone is a silicone.
Learn more about Dimethicone →Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate is a hyaluronic acid.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate →Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester →Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →
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