Paula's Choice
25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical SerumA serum built around AHA and Glycolic acid, for hydration and barrier repair.
A serum built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for hydration and barrier repair.
Brand price
USD 94.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 70.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
Every check both products could be assessed on comes out the same. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Mineral sunscreen1
Uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to absorb and scatter UV rays.
Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Vitamin C derivative (stable)2
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
Benefits
Hydrating14
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Inositol, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Sorbitol, Tocopherol, Trehalose, Triheptanoin, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids
Barrier Repair11
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Betaine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Oleyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Triheptanoin, Xymenynic Acid
Hydrating11
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
C9-12 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Glucose, Glycerin, Mannitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Tocopherol, Trehalose, Urea
Barrier Repair10
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
C9-12 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Tocopherol, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Smoothing6
Refines rough or uneven texture.
C9-12 Alkane, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dimethicone, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Concerns
May Trigger Acne4
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Hexylene Glycol, Oleyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis8
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cetearyl Isononanoate, Oleyl Alcohol, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Surfactin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Xymenynic Acid
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris4
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Hexylene Glycol, Oleyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol
May Trigger Acne4
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetyl Alcohol, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis8
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris4
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetyl Alcohol, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol
Ingredients Side-by-side
Skin Conditioning
Emollient
Solvent
Emulsion Stabilising
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (in both products)
Antioxidant
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C derivative (stable)
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
Skin Conditioning
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- 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.
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 →Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Fragrance, Perfuming, Occlusive, Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is the mixed triester of glycerin and caprylic and capric acids.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride →Dimethicone
Antifoaming, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Skin Protecting
Dimethicone is a silicone.
Learn more about Dimethicone →Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant, Buffering, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid is L-ascorbic acid.
Learn more about Ascorbic Acid →Urea
Antistatic, Buffering, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant, Moisturising
alpha-D-Glucopyranoside, alpha-D-glucopyranosyl
Learn more about Trehalose →Glutathione
Reducing
Glycine, N-(N-L-.gamma.-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl)-
Learn more about Glutathione →Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate →Tocopherol
Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Occlusive
Tocopherol is vitamin E.
Learn more about Tocopherol →Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →
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