Paula's Choice
5% Niacinamide Body SerumA body lotion built around Panthenol and Niacinamide, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A body lotion built around AHA and Glycolic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 37.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 35.00 · 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
Benefits
Hydrating9
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Panthenol, Pantolactone, Propanediol, Saccharide Isomerate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair17
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Lecithin, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Myristyl Myristate, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Polyacrylate, Squalene, Tocopherol
Hydrating11
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Betaine, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Polydextrose, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Urea, Vegetable Oil
Barrier Repair18
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Betaine, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetyl Stearate, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Lecithin, Niacinamide, Octyldodecanol, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Squalene, Tocopherol, Vegetable Oil
Concerns
May Trigger Acne4
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Hexylene Glycol, Myristyl Myristate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis10
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lecithin, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Myristyl Myristate, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris4
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Hexylene Glycol, Myristyl Myristate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin4
May increase shine or excess oil.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis11
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Glutamine, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetyl Stearate, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Lecithin, Octyldodecanol, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Sorbitan Olivate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Vegetable Oil
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
Emollient
5 / 2
- Esters listed as pore-clogging in animal testing only
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Solvent
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Occlusive
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
Emollient
- 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.
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 →Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Fragrance, Perfuming, Occlusive, Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is the mixed triester of glycerin and caprylic and capric acids.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride →Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
Learn more about Pentylene Glycol →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 →Squalene
Hair Conditioning, Emollient, Solvent
Squalene may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Squalene →Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii Butter →Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Propanediol is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Propanediol →Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →
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