Paula's Choice
1% Retinol TreatmentA serum built around Niacinamide and Panthenol, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A serum built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 24.00 · checked 26 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, EU-allergen-free, Pore-clogger-free, Oil-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.

Benefits

Hydrating13
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Collagen, Dimethicone, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Panthenol, Propanediol, Squalane, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair23
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Brassica Campestris Sterols, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Cholesterol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Oleic Acid, Panthenol, Squalane, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation5
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Panthenol
Redness Reducing4
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Niacinamide
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 Trigger Acne8
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Oleic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis20
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Olivate, Dilauryl Thiodipropionate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Oleic Acid, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Sorbitan Olivate, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris8
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Oleic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin4
May increase shine or excess oil.
Glycine Soja Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Squalane
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

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Emollient
2 / 1
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Skin Conditioning
Emollient
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Emollient
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glyceryl Stearate (in both products)
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate (in both products)
Emollient
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- 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.
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 →Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
Learn more about Pentylene Glycol →C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate →Dimethicone
Antifoaming, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Skin Protecting
Dimethicone is a silicone.
Learn more about Dimethicone →Carbomer
Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling
2-Propenoic acid, polymer with 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol 2-propenyl ether
Learn more about Carbomer →Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient, Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate →Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →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 →
Similar Comparisons
Each product against its closest dupes.
- View the comparison

Medicube
Vita A Retinal Volume Booster Serum

Medicube
Deep Reviving Bakuchiol Retinol Serum
- View the comparison

Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Treatment

Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Booster
- View the comparison

Medicube
Vita A Retinal Volume Booster Serum

K-Secret
Seoul 1988 Advanced Shot: Retinal Liposome 12% + Black Rice
- View the comparison

Paula's Choice
1% Retinol Treatment

No7
Pure Retinol 1% Night Concentrate