Medicube Kojic Acid Turmeric Capsule Serum vs Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster

Medicube

Paula's Choice

A serum built around Niacinamide and Kojic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.

A serum built around Retinoid and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.

Serum

32 ingredients

27 ingredients

Brand price

USD 26.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 55.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand from South Korea

Brand country not recorded

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, Pore-clogger-free, Oil-free, Vegan and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Cetyl Alcohol
Face oil1
An oil formulated to be used on the face.
Squalane
Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol

Ceramide1
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Ceramide NP
Colloidal oatmeal1
Finely milled oat — an FDA-recognised skin protectant.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 20
Retinoid1
Vitamin A derivatives that speed cell turnover.
Retinol

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
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin

May Trigger Acne2
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis5
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Behenyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Jojoba Esters
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Squalane

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Perfuming
Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
- Kojic acid
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —

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 →
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →