Paula's Choice
1% Retinol TreatmentA serum built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A serum built around Niacinamide and Vitamin E, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
USD 48.75 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 25.00 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site

At a Glance

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

Key Ingredients

Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.

Benefits

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.
Hydrating19
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Panthenol, Propanediol, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair28
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Carapa Guianensis Seed Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cholesterol, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Niacinamide, Octyldodecanol, Oleic Acid, Panthenol, Squalane, Sucrose Distearate, Tocopherol, Tripeptide-1
Reduces Irritation9
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Beta-Glucan, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Madecassoside, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Panthenol
Redness Reducing4
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside, Niacinamide

Concerns

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.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis24
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Carapa Guianensis Seed Oil, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Octyldodecanol, Oleic Acid, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Laurate, Sucrose Distearate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
May Worsen Oily Skin4
May increase shine or excess oil.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Carapa Guianensis Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Squalane

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Emollient
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glyceryl Stearate (in both products)
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Humectant
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
Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Occlusive
0-3 / 3
- Vitamin E
- Anti-Pollution
- Antioxidant
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
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 →Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient, Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate →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 →Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Ceramide Ng →Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 →Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate is a hyaluronic acid.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate →Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
.alpha.-d-Glucopyranosiduronic acid, (3.beta.,20.beta.)-20-carboxy-11-oxo-30-norolean-12-en-3-yl 2-O-.beta.-d-glucopyranuronosyl-, dipotassium salt
Learn more about Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate →
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