Neutrogena Hydro Boost Night Pressed Serum vs Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster

Neutrogena

Hydro Boost Night Pressed Serum

Paula's Choice

1% Retinol Booster

A serum built around Vitamin E, for barrier repair and hydration.

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

Serum

27 ingredients

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

Brand price

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

Buy at

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Brand from United States

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At a Glance

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

Key Ingredients

Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopheryl Acetate
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate

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

Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trehalose
Barrier Repair8
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Olivate, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Glycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Synthetic Beeswax, Yeast Extract
Smoothing4
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Cetearyl Olivate, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Sodium Polyacrylate
Antioxidant2
Shields skin from free radical damage.
Sodium Metabisulfite, Tocopheryl Acetate

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 Dermatitis6
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, C12-14 Pareth-12, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sorbitan Olivate, Synthetic Beeswax
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
May Worsen Irritation1
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Fragrance
May Worsen Eczema2
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Fragrance, Sodium Laureth Sulfate

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
Dimethicone
Emollient
1 / 0
- Silicones
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Cetearyl Olivate
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Viscosity Controlling
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Occlusive
1 / 1
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Phenoxyethanol (in both products)
Preservative
0 / —
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
0-1 / —
- Silicones
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Barrier Repair
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

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
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 →
Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →