Paula's Choice
25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical SerumA serum built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for hydration and barrier repair.
A serum built around AHA and Glycolic acid, for hydration and barrier repair.
Brand price
USD 70.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 94.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
Every check both products could be assessed on comes out the same. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Vitamin C derivative (stable)2
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
Mineral sunscreen1
Uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to absorb and scatter UV rays.
Benefits
Hydrating11
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
C9-12 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Glucose, Glycerin, Mannitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Tocopherol, Trehalose, Urea
Barrier Repair10
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
C9-12 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Tocopherol, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Smoothing6
Refines rough or uneven texture.
C9-12 Alkane, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dimethicone, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Hydrating14
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Inositol, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Sorbitol, Tocopherol, Trehalose, Triheptanoin, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids
Barrier Repair11
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Betaine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Oleyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Triheptanoin, Xymenynic Acid
Concerns
May Trigger Acne4
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetyl Alcohol, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis8
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris4
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetyl Alcohol, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol
May Trigger Acne4
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Hexylene Glycol, Oleyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis8
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cetearyl Isononanoate, Oleyl Alcohol, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Surfactin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Xymenynic Acid
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris4
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Hexylene Glycol, Oleyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol
Ingredients Side-by-side
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (in both products)
Antioxidant
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C derivative (stable)
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
Skin Conditioning
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
Emollient
Solvent
Emulsion Stabilising
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- 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.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate →Dimethicone
Antifoaming, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Skin Protecting
Dimethicone is a silicone.
Learn more about Dimethicone →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 →Silica
Abrasive, Absorbent, Anticaking, Bulking, Opacifying, Viscosity Controlling
Silicon dioxide
Learn more about Silica →Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer is a copolymer of sodium hydroxyethyl acrylate and acryloyldimethyl taurate monomers
Learn more about Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer →Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →Tocopherol
Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Occlusive
Tocopherol is vitamin E.
Learn more about Tocopherol →Glutathione
Reducing
Glycine, N-(N-L-.gamma.-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl)-
Learn more about Glutathione →Hexylene Glycol
Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Cleansing, Emulsifying
2-Methylpentane-2,4-diol
Learn more about Hexylene Glycol →
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