Paula's Choice
1% Retinol BoosterA serum built around Niacinamide and Retinoid, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A serum built around Retinoid and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
USD 30.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 55.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Fragrance-free, Pore-clogger-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Hydrating13
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Panthenol, Propanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair23
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Bakuchiol, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Linoleic Acid, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Panthenol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Sucrose Palmitate, Tocopherol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Reduces Irritation7
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Beta-Glucan, Centella Asiatica Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol
Redness Reducing5
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, 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.
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis22
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Ceramide NP, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Linoleic Acid, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, PPG-13-DECYLTETRADECETH-24, Retinyl Linoleate, Retinyl Palmitate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sucrose Palmitate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris4
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin6
May increase shine or excess oil.
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
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
Skin Conditioning
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
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
0-2 / 0
- Face oil
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- 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
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 →Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →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 →Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinol is a retinoid.
Learn more about Retinol →Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate →Ceramide NP
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Ceramide NP →Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →
Similar Comparisons
Each product against its closest dupes.
- View the comparison
Medicube
Deep Reviving Bakuchiol Retinol Serum
Medicube
Vita A Retinal Volume Booster Serum
- View the comparison
Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Booster
Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Treatment
- View the comparison
Medicube
Deep Reviving Bakuchiol Retinol Serum
Medicube
Retinol NMN Boosting Serum
- View the comparison
Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Booster
Isntree
Hyper Retinol EX 1.0 Serum