Paula's Choice
1% Retinol TreatmentA serum built around Niacinamide and Hyaluronic acid, for hydration and barrier repair.
A serum built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 18.20 · 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, Silicone-free and Pore-clogger-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
Benefits
Hydrating15
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Butylene Glycol, Collagen Water, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Inositol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Trehalose
Barrier Repair8
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Lecithin, Niacinamide, Octyldodecanol, Resveratrol, Tocopherol, Tripeptide-1
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 Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis14
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lecithin, Octyldodecanol, Octyldodeceth-16, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, PEG-240/HDI Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Laurate
May Worsen Irritation2
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
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
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Skin Conditioning
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Emollient
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- 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 →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 →Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →Polysorbate 20
Cleansing, Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20 isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20 →Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate is a hyaluronic acid.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate →Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →Lecithin
Antistatic, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying
Lecithin isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Lecithin →Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 →
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