Medicube
Retinol NMN Boosting SerumPaula's Choice
10% Niacinamide BoosterA serum built around Retinoid and Vitamin E, for barrier repair and hydration.
A serum built around Niacinamide and Vitamin C derivative, for hydration and barrier repair.
Brand price
USD 26.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 53.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Pore-clogger-free, Oil-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.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Panthenol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Squalane, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair16
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cholesterol, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Squalane, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation8
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Beta-Glucan, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Madecassic Acid, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Panthenol
Redness Reducing6
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Madecassic Acid, Niacinamide
Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Niacinamide, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation5
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Beta-Glucan, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis15
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Ceramide NP, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
May Worsen Oily Skin3
May increase shine or excess oil.
Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Squalane
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Emollient
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Dark Spots
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin Protecting
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 →Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →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 →Panthenol
Antistatic, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Panthenol is panthenol (provitamin B5).
Learn more about Panthenol →Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →Beta-Glucan
Bulking, Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan is a polysaccharide consisting of β(1-3), β(1-4), and β(1-6) linked glucose units
Learn more about Beta-Glucan →Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
Learn more about Pentylene Glycol →Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
L-histidine, N-beta-alanyl
Learn more about Carnosine →
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