Paula's Choice
7% Ectoin + Hyaluronic Acid Milky Hydrating SerumA serum built around Hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A serum built around Bakuchiol and AHA, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 44.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 58.00 · 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
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Benefits
Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ectoin, Glycogen, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair11
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Isoamyl Laurate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Tocopherol, Tridecane, Undecane
Smoothing10
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Citric Acid, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Isoamyl Laurate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Tridecane, Undecane
Hydrating8
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair11
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Bakuchiol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Glycerin, Isoamyl Laurate, Lecithin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Tocopherol
Smoothing10
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Bakuchiol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Isoamyl Laurate, Lactic Acid, Lecithin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane
Concerns
May Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis10
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Isoamyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Stearalkonium Hectorite
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
May Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis9
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Isoamyl Laurate, Lecithin, Lysolecithin, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Stearalkonium Hectorite
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
Ingredients Side-by-side
Triethylhexanoin (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Isoamyl Laurate (in both products)
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Dicaprylyl Carbonate (in both products)
Emollient
Emollient
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Dicaprylyl Carbonate (in both products)
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Isoamyl Laurate (in both products)
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil (in both products)
Emollient
0-2 / 0
- Face oil
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- 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.
Aqua
Solvent
Triethylhexanoin
Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning
Propane-1,2,3-triyl 2-ethylhexanoate
Learn more about Triethylhexanoin →Diisopropyl Adipate
Fragrance, Plasticiser, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Solvent
Diisopropyl adipate
Learn more about Diisopropyl Adipate →Isoamyl Laurate
Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Isoamyl Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Isoamyl Laurate →Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Carbonic Acid, Dicaprylyl Ester
Learn more about Dicaprylyl Carbonate →Squalane
Hair Conditioning, Refatting, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Squalane is a face oil.
Learn more about Squalane →Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil →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 →Tocopherol
Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Occlusive
Tocopherol is vitamin E.
Learn more about Tocopherol →Sodium Phytate
Chelating, Oral Care
Myo-Inositol, hexakis(dihydrogen phosphate), sodium salt
Learn more about Sodium Phytate →