Paula's Choice
1% Retinol BoosterVT Cosmetics
Pro cica reedle shot 100A serum built around Retinoid and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.
A serum built around Niacinamide and Hyaluronic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 55.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 36.86 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Pore-clogger-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Centella asiatica (Cica)5
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Benefits
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
Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair10
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ceramide NP, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Polyacrylate
Reduces Irritation7
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Beta-Glucan, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside
Redness Reducing7
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside, Niacinamide
Concerns
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 Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sorbitan Oleate
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis7
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ceramide NP, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Propolis Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sorbitan Oleate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sorbitan Oleate
May Worsen Oily Skin2
May increase shine or excess oil.
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Ingredients Side-by-side
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
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
Ceramide NP (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
- Ceramide
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Emollient
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
Emollient
4 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
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 →Ceramide NP
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Ceramide NP →Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →Hydrogenated Lecithin
Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Lecithin →Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →
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