Paula's Choice
1% Retinol BoosterA serum built around Niacinamide and BHA, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A serum built around Retinoid and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
USD 21.00 · checked 26 Sept 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; that row is shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Centella asiatica (Cica)2
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Centella Asiatica Callus Extracellular Vesicles, Centella Asiatica Extract
Benefits
Hydrating11
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glucose, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Panthenol, Propanediol, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair15
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Centella Asiatica Extract, Cholesterol, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Lecithin, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation3
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Centella Asiatica Callus Extracellular Vesicles, Centella Asiatica Extract, Panthenol
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Centella Asiatica Callus Extracellular Vesicles, Centella Asiatica Extract, Niacinamide
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 Dermatitis11
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, C12-14 Alketh-12, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lecithin, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, PPG-13-DECYLTETRADECETH-24
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
May Worsen Oily Skin2
May increase shine or excess 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
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Humectant
Skin Conditioning
Water (in both products)
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
Polysorbate 20 (in both products)
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Retinol (in both products)
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.
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 →Polysorbate 20
Cleansing, Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20 isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20 →Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinol is a retinoid.
Learn more about Retinol →Hydrogenated Lecithin
Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Lecithin →Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate →
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