Paula's Choice
10% Niacinamide BoosterCetaphil
Advanced Daily Defense SerumA serum built around Niacinamide and Vitamin C derivative, for hydration and barrier repair.
A serum built around Niacinamide and Vitamin E, for hydration and pollution defence.
Brand price
USD 53.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
Not recorded · brand's site

At a Glance

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

Key Ingredients

Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.

Benefits

Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Niacinamide, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation5
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Beta-Glucan, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Peg/Ppg-8/3 Laurate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair3
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.

Concerns

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis1
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Dark Spots
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin Protecting
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Humectant
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emulsifying
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
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 →Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →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 →Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate is a hyaluronic acid.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate →Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →Citric Acid
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Citric Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Citric Acid →Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
Learn more about Pentylene Glycol →
Similar Comparisons
Each product against its closest dupes.
- View the comparison

Paula's Choice
10% Niacinamide Booster

Paula's Choice
Niacinamide 20% Treatment
- View the comparison

Cetaphil
Advanced Daily Defense Serum

COSRX
The Niacinamide 15 Serum
- View the comparison

Paula's Choice
10% Niacinamide Booster

COSRX
The Niacinamide 15 Serum
- View the comparison

Cetaphil
Advanced Daily Defense Serum

Wellage
Real Cica Calming 95 Trouble Ampoule