Medicube Triple Collagen Serum vs Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster

Medicube

Triple Collagen Serum

Paula's Choice

1% Retinol Booster

A serum built around Niacinamide, for hydration and barrier repair.

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

Serum

43 ingredients

27 ingredients

Brand price

USD 24.00 · 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, EU-allergen-free, Alcohol-free, Silicone-free, Oil-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Hyaluronic acid3
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Niacinamide1
Vitamin B3 — supports the barrier and evens tone.
Niacinamide

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

Benefits

Hydrating13
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Collagen, Dimethicone, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Soluble Collagen, Trehalose
Barrier Repair8
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Cetearyl Olivate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Niacinamide
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide
Anti-Aging1
Softens lines and helps skin look youthful.
Adenosine

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

Concerns

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis4
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cetearyl Olivate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Olivate
May Worsen Irritation10
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Alcohol Denat., Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, Citronellol, Fragrance, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool
May Worsen Eczema10
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Alcohol Denat., Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, Citronellol, Fragrance, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool
May Worsen Rosacea9
Can trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
Alcohol Denat., Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, Citronellol, Fragrance, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool

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
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Niacinamide
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Glycereth-26
Humectant
0 / 0
Alcohol Denat.
Fragrance
0 / —
- Denatured alcohol
- May Worsen Dryness
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Rosacea
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
0-1 / —
- Silicones
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
0-1 / —
- Silicones

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
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
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
- Retinoid
- Acne Fighting
- Anti-Aging
- Dark Spots
- Firming
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Smoothing
Glycyrrhiza Glabra
Ceramide NP
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 →