Paula's Choice
10% Niacinamide BoosterThe Ordinary
Alpha Arbutin 2% + HAA serum built around Niacinamide and Vitamin C derivative, for hydration and barrier repair.
A serum built around Alpha arbutin and AHA, for antioxidant protection and pollution defence.
Brand price
USD 53.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 10.35 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Vegan; that row is shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
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.
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ingredients Side-by-side
Skin Conditioning
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
Emulsion Stabilising
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20 (in both products)
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- 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.
Citric Acid
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Citric Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Citric Acid →Sodium Citrate
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Trisodium citrate
Learn more about Sodium Citrate →Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →Polysorbate 20
Cleansing, Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20 isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20 →Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Chelating
L-Aspartic acid, N,N'-1,2-ethanediylbis-, trisodium salt
Learn more about Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate →Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →
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