Paula's Choice
1% Retinol BoosterA serum built around Hyaluronic acid and Chemical sunscreen, for barrier repair and hydration.
A serum built around Retinoid and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
USD 24.99 · checked 5 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 55.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

At a Glance

They come out differently on Pore-clogger-free and Reef-safe; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Chemical sunscreen3
Organic UV filters that absorb UV and release it as heat.
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate
Sunscreen3
Any ingredient acting as a UV filter.
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate

Benefits

Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair11
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil, Isohexadecane, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Oil, Prinsepia Utilis Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Tocopherol
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

Concerns

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis7
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Oil, Prinsepia Utilis Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil
May Worsen Oily Skin7
May increase shine or excess oil.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Oil, Prinsepia Utilis Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil
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

Ingredients Side-by-side

Emollient
Skin Conditioning
1 / 0
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Antioxidant
Skin Conditioning
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
Skin Conditioning
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
- Retinoid
- Acne Fighting
- Anti-Aging
- Dark Spots
- Firming
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Smoothing
Glycyrrhiza Glabra
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.
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 →Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →
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