Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum vs Pilgrim 10% Niacinamide Face Serum With 1% Zinc PCA

Paula's Choice

Pilgrim

A serum built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for hydration and barrier repair.

A serum built around Niacinamide and PHA, for hydration and barrier repair.

Serum

41 ingredients

20 ingredients

Brand price

USD 70.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

INR 499.00 · checked 28 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand country not recorded

Brand from India

At a Glance

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

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Cetyl Alcohol
Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)1
L-ascorbic acid, the unesterified form of vitamin C.
Ascorbic Acid
Vitamin C derivative (stable)2
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopheryl Acetate
PHA1
Polyhydroxy acids — larger and milder than AHAs.
Gluconolactone
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Zinc salt (sebum/soothing)1
Zinc salts, used for sebum control and soothing.
Zinc PCA

Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Panthenol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Zinc PCA
Barrier Repair4
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Betaine, Niacinamide, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation3
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Panthenol, Zinc PCA
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Niacinamide

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 Worsen Irritation2
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopherol

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis1
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Polysorbate 20

Show highlights for:

Aqua (in both products)
Solvent
0 / —
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C derivative (stable)
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Dimethicone
Emollient
1 / 0
- Silicones
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
C9-12 Alkane
Emollient
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C derivative (stable)
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
Silica
Abrasive
0-1 / —
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
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

Aqua (in both products)
Solvent
0 / —
Niacinamide
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
- PHA
- Exfoliating
- Hydrating
Salicylic Acid
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Zinc PCA
Humectant
- Zinc salt (sebum/soothing)
- Acne Fighting
- Oil Control
- Reduces Irritation
Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Torreya Nucifera Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Hyaluronic acid
- Hydrating

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Aqua
Solvent
Water
Learn more about Aqua →
Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →
Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate is a hyaluronic acid.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate →
Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →