Paula's Choice
1% Retinol TreatmentA serum built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A serum built around Bakuchiol and AHA, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 48.75 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 58.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Silicone-free, Pore-clogger-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
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.
Hydrating8
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair11
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Bakuchiol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Glycerin, Isoamyl Laurate, Lecithin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Tocopherol
Smoothing10
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Bakuchiol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Isoamyl Laurate, Lactic Acid, Lecithin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane
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 Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis9
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Isoamyl Laurate, Lecithin, Lysolecithin, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Stearalkonium Hectorite
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
Ingredients Side-by-side
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
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
Emollient
0-2 / 0
- Face oil
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- 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.
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 →Lecithin
Antistatic, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying
Lecithin isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Lecithin →Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate is vitamin E.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate →Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →
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